Page 37 - BusinessWest October 17, 2022

Putnam Vocational Technical Academy teachers Michael Poole (far left) and Charley Jackson (far right) and senior students are joined in the electrical shop by M.L. Schmitt’s Bobby Williams (back left) and Pete Coppez (back right).
The Elm University classrooms and lab weren’t created with young people in mind, how- ever; they’re used year-round as Elm’s in-house training facility. Employees who want to become licensed electricians can opt into the company’s four-year apprentice program, working their jobs Monday through Thursday and then, every other Friday, attending school at Elm University for
free, as an alternative to night school.
“We started our own training because we weren’t happy with the training we were get-
ting, the conventional way of going two nights
a week, three hours a night; most of these night classes are in a classroom setting and don’t have a hands-on component. They get what they need to pass the test, of course, but the hands-on com- ponent makes a big difference because that’s what their supervisors see out in the field. That’s what they need out in the field.”
In short, Elm has created a way to cultivate a pipeline of young talent at a time when older electrical workers are leaving the trade faster
than they can be replaced. It’s a trend being observed in all construction trades, in fact, and it sometimes requires innovative solutions.
“We can complain like everyone else or do something about it, and we’ve chosen to do something about it,” Asselin said, noting that the effort and financial investment are paying back in the quality of workers the company is putting into the field. “It’s apparent it’s working.”
Jean Pierre Crevier, co-owner of M.L. Schmitt
“Oftentimes, students who go to a traditional high school think it’s too late to go into a trade. We make sure they know there is still an opportunity to pursue a career in the field.”
Inc., a 99-year-old electrical contractor based in Springfield, agrees that companies need to stay connected to the potential pipeline of young tal- ent. He does so by participating in the interview- ing process of the Joint Apprentice Training Com- mittee of the Local 7 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, bringing new students into apprenticeship programs. “I was pleased with this year’s turnout — we had a lot of great candi- dates to choose from this year.”
But he also does so with efforts like a recent partnership between M.L. Schmitt, Exposure,
Raymond R. Houle Construction Employee Spotlight
Project Superintendent
Rick Houle
33 years of prideful, dedicated service aimed toward our ultimate goal of client satisfaction.
Trustworthy. Sincere. Straightforward. Your satisfaction is our guarantee.
American Society 413.547.2500 www.RayHoule.com 5 Miller St, Ludlow MA For Healthcare Engineering
BusinessWest
BUILDING TRADES
OCTOBER 17, 2022 37