Hanson is a Ghanaian living in Pennsylvania, USA. Though he admits the Trump era brought some challenges, he says he’s learned how to manage and adapt wisely. Before moving to the U.S. in 2012, he had lived in both Italy and France. His parents are based in Italy, and after completing high school in Ghana, he moved there to study agriculture. Later, he switched to a technical field and earned a certificate in auto body works.
At the time, Hanson had no idea he would end up in America, or else he says he would have focused more on hands-on skills like welding or construction rather than just spraying cars.
Once in the U.S., he entered the job site and quickly saw the value of acquiring practical skills. He completed his apprenticeship in carpentry this year. He had already been working with a company for eight years, including through the COVID-19 pandemic. In the U.S., he says, your exam scores or high school results don’t matter much—what counts is your interest and commitment to learning. While fields like carpentry require some math skills, everything else can be taught.
Hanson doesn’t worry about writing a CV or applying for jobs. Instead, he simply calls his union rep, who refers him to companies when jobs come up. After completing his apprenticeship, carpentry became more than just work—it became his passion.
He also runs a side business from his basement, using his own machines to handle custom projects. He started with a job paying $18/hour, then moved up to $36/hour on double shifts. Now, he earns $45/hour for indoor work and $65/hour for outdoor projects. That income, he says, is better than working two jobs.
Hanson specializes in hotel front desk construction, stone marble finishes, vanity sinks, kitchen cabinets, and island installations—and now, he even builds entire houses. Schooling was a big sacrifice because apprenticeships aren’t paid, but the rewards have been worth it.
He emphasizes that people in the union sometimes leave for non-union companies that offer better pay. But the union offers stability and skill-building. At the apprenticeship school, he worked 40 hours per week and managed to survive during training. He now encourages others—especially Ghanaians—to pursue trades and technical education rather than relying on low-paying cleaning jobs.
Thanks to his eight years of experience, Hanson is confident he can open his own workshop. He has even worked with the Ghana Music Awards USA, designing backdrops and stage setups for pictures. Many Ghanaian homeowners in the U.S. hire him for woodwork, installations, and finishing.
Hanson also criticized the perception that foreign materials and workers are better than local ones. He believes Ghanaian carpenters are highly skilled, and the imported materials, like Formica used by Turkish and Chinese workers, aren’t always better. “They think it’s better because it’s from abroad, but local carpenters are just as good or even better,” he said. He dreams of opening his own carpentry shop in Ghana one day.
His final advice to anyone planning to migrate to the U.S. is this: “Learn a trade—plumbing, mechanics, AC repairs, carpentry, electricals. These skills pay well.” He’s willing to guide anyone in Ghana who wants to start an apprenticeship program.
Hanson has been married to a Black American woman for the past 10 years. He pointed out a cultural difference he’s noticed: “Black Americans want the truth, but Ghanaians lie a lot,” he said bluntly.
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