Avangrid, UI, UWUA Local 470-1 Welcome Back 2023 Trade Internship Graduates as Full-Time Employees

After completing the 10-week program in 2023, nine graduates return for full-time employment at UI as Rotational Utility Workers (RUWs)


ORANGE, Conn. — July 3, 2024 — United Illuminating, a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), together with the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 470-1, today announced the company is welcoming all nine of the 2023 graduates of its Trade Internship Program as full-time Rotational Utility Workers (RUWs). This new entry-level position will provide the 2023 program graduates an opportunity to rotate through different areas of the electric industry over two years. After completing the 10-week summer Trades Internship Program in August 2023, turning 18 years of age, and graduating high school in June 2024, six of the new RUWs have begun as full-time employees, while three are continuing in the 2024 Trade Internship Program until their 18th birthday later this year.   The RUWs will choose their preferred discipline within the Electric Systems departments at the end of the two years and become eligible for permanent employment.

"We are pleased to welcome back the nine talented and hardworking students who participated in last year's inaugural Trade Internship Program as full-time Rotational Utility Workers," said Frank Reynold, President & CEO of United Illuminating. "The program’s resounding success is a testament to our commitment to investing in our local workforce while ensuring we have a pipeline of talented individuals who are well-equipped to serve our customers and community. The recent graduates have a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in the electric utility industry and are now prepared to take on full-time positions within our organization. We look forward to their ongoing progression and development over the next two years and permanent placement within our organization."

The two-year rotational program will provide the nine entry-level RUWs with experience and exposure in various areas of Electric Systems, such as Underground, Overhead, Standard Field, Operations Field Technicians, Customer Field Services and Logistics. RUWs will also be exposed to the construction of the UI distribution and transmission system. Employees will rotate through each department with the length of time spent in each department determined at the discretion of department management, which will account for business needs and employee aptitude. The RUWs will be responsible for performing a wide variety of maintenance work using their skills with tools and knowledge of repair and testing methods.

"The two-year entry-level rotational position is the first of its kind being offered at Avangrid, thanks to the collective efforts of our Human Resource team, UI, and UWUA Local 470-1," said Kyra Patterson, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Avangrid. "The employees will once again be working alongside our line crew members, ensuring they are provided with a safe experience while gaining the necessary hands-on skills and experiences required for the job. Our goal is to set our employees up to succeed in their chosen roles while also ensuring they find their true passion along the way, which is why we are offering them the opportunity to rotate through various departments. I look forward to watching these Rotational Utility Workers grow and find their place within our organization."

"We are extremely thankful for the strong partnership that the union, UI's Electric Operations team, and local technical high schools have developed to ensure students are set up for success after graduation," said Moses Rams, President of UWUA Local 470-1 and Chief Lineworker at UI. "The students worked hard throughout the summer internship and subsequently successfully graduated from their local technical high schools. They are now joining us as full-time employees, and we couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments. We look forward to continuing to work alongside the Rotational Utility Workers to ensure they are well-equipped for the careers ahead of them in their chosen business departments."

After completing the two-years rotational position, the full-time employees will declare their preferred discipline within Electric Systems. Placement in the employees’ chosen department will be decided by management based on necessary qualifications, completion of rotations, and availability of vacancies in the selected department.

For more information on the Summer Trade Internship Program, visit:  https://www.uinet.com/w/avangrid-and-subsidiary-ui-partner-with-uwua-local-470-1-to-launch-industry-leading-lineworker-internship-program 

#  #  #

Media Contact:

Nodo: liferay-3:8080