Venancio Fragoza (Three Affiliated)
The April 2020 UTTC “Alum in the Spotlight” is Venancio Fragoza, a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes. Venancio, also known as “Venny”, said he was a troubled youth who spent time in juvenile detention and subsequently prison. When he decided to go back to school, he worked with the Warriors of the 21st Century Re-entry Program. Venny graduated from UTTC in 2018 with his Welding Technology Certificate. He got a job immediately after graduation as an Apprentice in the Ironworker Union Local 512 and works all over the state of North Dakota.
A week prior to graduation, Venny got a call from the Ironworkers telling him they had interviews the same day and time as his UTTC graduation. The Ironworkers agreed to interview him first thing in the morning so he could walk for his graduation. The other people interviewing for the job had jeans, t-shirts, and boots, but Venny was dressed up in his suit and tie, and ready for graduation. They must have thought he was dressed for success because he got the job. Congratulations, Venny!
