Welfer’s Story: Building a Brighter Future Through Construction Training
When Welfer first relocated to San Rafael from San Marcos, Guatemala, he was driven by his desire to build a better future for himself. After living in the Canal community of San Rafael for four years and working in landscaping, he began thinking seriously about long-term career opportunities and how he could grow professionally.
In August 2024, a neighbor told him about Canal Alliance and the workforce development programs available to community members looking to build new skills and professions.
At the time, Welfer had no previous experience in construction, but he could see the potential of the industry.
“I wanted to think ahead as to what I could do for work and construction came to mind. It is a very in-demand and a high-paying field, so I reached out to Canal Alliance for assistance.”
With support from Canal Alliance’s career training program staff, including Workforce Development Supervisor, Fabiola Cedeno, and Workforce Development Navigator, Diana Olivares Benavides, Welfer enrolled in construction certification classes that helped him gain hands-on experience and confidence in the field.
From there, Welfer’s future began to feel brighter to him, and to those around him.
Welfer’s determination and desire to learn caught Fabiola’s attention from day one. “What stood out to me the most about Welfer was his curiosity and interest during the class and how proactive he was in finding new opportunities,” she recalls.
For Fabiola, the Construction Certification program is about opening doors to long-term opportunities. “It gives participants the opportunity to earn certification in a new field, develop in-demand skills, and access careers that offer competitive wages, benefits, and long-term stability, or even start their own business.”
For Welfer, the training quickly became more than just learning technical skills. It was also about teamwork, safety, and discovering new possibilities for himself. Fabiola says she sees similar transformations happen for many program participants. “As they move through the program, I see them gain self-confidence, motivation, and belief in their abilities. By the end they truly feel prepared to pursue new career opportunities.”
Although construction was new to him, Welfer quickly realized many of the skills he had developed in landscaping were transferrable. “I loved learning about the tools and being able to work as a team. The instruction was great, and I learned a lot about safety as well,” he recalls. “I noticed landscaping and construction share very similar things. They cross paths when it comes to building things: fences or cutting wood. I knew how to use the tools.”
Along the way, Welfer also strengthened his computer skills by completing Canal Alliance’s Digital Literacy course in spring 2026, giving him additional confidence and skills to continue growing his landscaping work while transitioning into construction. Jesús Olivares Benavides, Canal Alliance’s digital literacy instructor, remembers Welfer’s proactive attitude and desire to learn, noting that he was “a very committed student who would often help his classmates.”
Students in Canal Alliance’s digital literacy program learn foundational skills like how to navigate the internet, complete online forms, and use email — skills that complement their workforce development training and help them land jobs in their new fields. “When students are able to benefit from multiple Canal Alliance programs that work in tandem, it can make a big difference in moving them toward their goals,” said Kate Rider, Senior Manager of Adult Education.
Fabiola still remembers one moment that demonstrated the powerful impact of Canal Alliance’s career certification programs: while Welfer was in the Canal Alliance office completing a job application, his phone rang. It was a company he had previously applied to calling to offer him a job with paid training and benefits. “Seeing how excited and grateful he was to receive that job offer was a very rewarding moment for all of us,” Fabiola recalls.
Today, Welfer’s story is just one among hundreds; to date, 491 graduates have completed Canal Alliance’s Construction Certification program, with approximately 225 clients coming through all career training and entrepreneurship pathways per year. His journey is an example of how Canal Alliance supports community members in building new skills, pursuing meaningful careers that offer ongoing upward mobility. For Fabiola, Welfer’s journey is another reminder of what is possible when people are given the opportunity to succeed.
“Community members like Welfer are hardworking, resilient, and eager to learn. Sometimes they only need access to opportunities and support to reach their goals and build a better future for themselves and their families.”
For Welfer, access to Canal Alliance’s digital literacy programming and construction certification classes formed the foundation for continued growth, allowing him to create the future he came to Marin County to build.