When Crane Tech launched its Father’s Day Scholarship, we hoped to support someone ready to change their life through skilled trades. We found that, and more, in Vincente.
A single father of three, Vincente has spent the last several years rebuilding his life from the ground up. He works third shift, cares for his children during the day, and still found time to earn his GED, obtain his CDL, and become CCO-certified in two crane specialties. But his journey didn’t begin with training. It began with survival — and a turning point.
From Burnout to Breakthrough
Back in 2020, Vincente was exhausted. He was working up to 14 hours a day delivering appliances, then taking on evening shifts as a trash butler and weekends at FedEx. There was no time for his boys, only bills, fatigue, and getting by.
“I couldn’t do it anymore. I was burned out. That’s when I knew something had to change.”
He stopped making excuses and began taking steps: weekend CDL training, night classes to earn his GED, and late-night study sessions with crane operator manuals — even when they didn’t make sense yet. He leaned on persistence, faith, and a belief that failure was part of growth.
A Single Father’s Fight
Vincente’s path hasn’t just been about career change. In 2018, he became a single father — his boys at the time were ages 8, 6, and 1. With no family nearby and no safety net, he hired babysitters, nannies, and au pairs to make ends meet. Half his income went to childcare. He fell into credit card debt, got behind on taxes, and nearly lost his car.
But he kept going.
“Most days, I was running on four or five hours of sleep. But I had my kids. That’s all that mattered.”
Now, after years of sacrifice, he’s caught up on taxes, paid off debt, and in April 2025, proudly became a U.S. citizen.
Why Training at Crane Tech Felt Different
Before attending Crane Tech, Vincente had enrolled in a different program to obtain his TSS and TLL certifications. But he didn’t feel supported there. Many of his classmates had been sent by their employers, and the pace wasn’t geared toward someone still building foundational knowledge. “I felt out of place,” he shared. “I felt judged due to my lack of experience.”
Crane Tech was a turning point.
“For the first time, I felt like I belonged. These were my peers. The instructors explained things in a way that finally clicked.” He left the course with a stronger grasp of both theory and practical concepts. More importantly, he left with confidence that he was truly on the right path and knowing he could do this.
Preparation Pays Off
Vincente didn’t wait for training to start learning. Long before stepping into a classroom, he purchased industry books to explore whether crane operation was something he could pursue. Although the material was geared toward seasoned crane professionals, he powered through. He researched terms, watched videos, and taught himself as much as possible.
“Don’t wait until you’re in class to start learning,” he advised. “Even reading a book helps. It puts you ahead of the game.”
That habit of self-study laid the groundwork for everything that followed.
Overcoming Setbacks and Trusting the Process
Although he didn’t pass the written exam on his first attempt at Crane Tech, Vincente knew exactly what went wrong. It was a small, common error made by even the most experienced operators when testing under pressure. He has already scheduled a retest closer to home and feels confident that he’ll succeed.
He’s also tackling the next hurdle: breaking into an industry where most employers want operators with prior seat time. But he isn’t waiting for the opportunity to come to him. He’s already making calls, networking, and connected with one company that may give him a shot. “I just need one chance,” he said. “I know I can prove myself.”
He credits his resilience not just to hard work, but to faith—in the process, in purpose, and in something greater. “You have to let go of what you can’t control,” he said. “One door might close, but another will open.”
Lifting Others as He Climbs
While at Crane Tech, Vincente quietly stepped into the role of peer mentor. One of his classmates—a fellow Spanish speaker—was struggling with the language barrier. Vincente offered to help, translating when needed and encouraging him throughout the course.
“He didn’t need much,” Vincente said. “But I know what it’s like to feel out of place. I just wanted to help.”
Sometimes, the biggest impact comes from simply showing someone they’re not alone.
What His Children See
Vincente’s greatest motivation has always been his three boys. They’ve seen him sacrifice, study, and keep moving , no matter how tired he was. And now, they’re carrying that example forward.
His oldest son, now 16, excels in school, helps care for his younger siblings, and spends his free time studying. He doesn’t do it because he’s told to. As he once told his dad, “I learned this dedication from you.”
Vincente hopes that all three of his kids carry that message with them: change takes work, setbacks aren’t the end, and every step forward matters.
“Nothing is easy—but everything is possible. I want them to see that.”
Gratitude and Grit
Through every challenge, Vincente remains deeply grateful for the opportunity to grow and for the people who believed in him.
“I can’t thank you enough. You have no idea what this meant to me.”
He’s not finished. His path is still unfolding, and his focus hasn’t wavered.
Crane Tech is honored to support individuals like Vincente—those who show up, work hard, and inspire everyone around them. We’re excited to be part of your journey, Vincente, and can’t wait to see what’s next for you.