UI, SCG Launch Recruitment Efforts for Trade Internship Programs, Strengthening Skilled Trades Workforce


 

In partnership with UWUA Local 470-1, USW Local 12000 & 12000-1 AFL-CIO CLC, frontline workers connect with four area technical high schools and community organizations to introduce students to careers in electric and natural gas industries

 

ORANGE, Conn. — February 24, 2025 — United Illuminating (UI) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), subsidiaries of Avangrid, Inc., have launched their recruitment efforts for the 2025 Trade Internship Programs. In partnership with the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 470-1, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 12000 and 12000-1 American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) Central Labor Council (CLC), these 10-week programs will provide hands-on training for rising high school seniors interested in electric and natural gas careers. The program will recruit eight students for its third year with UI and UWUA Local 470-1, and two students for SCG’s inaugural cohort with USW Local 12000 and 12000-1 AFL-CIO CLC. Students will gain valuable skills and experiences, preparing them for future career opportunities in these essential industries.

 

“We are proud to continue supporting workforce development through our Trade Internship Program, said Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of UI, SCG. “This program is part of our ongoing commitment to building a skilled, well-trained workforce that is prepared to meet the growing energy demands of the future. We look forward to providing students with hands-on experience alongside our seasoned workforce, helping ensure the safety and reliability of their communities’ electric and natural gas systems.”  

 

UI and SCG representatives, along with union leaders, will visit local technical high schools, including Platt Technical High School (Milford), Bullard-Havens Technical High School (Bridgeport), Eli Whitney Technical High School (Hamden), and Emmett O’Brien Technical High School (Ansonia). These visits, along with outreach to community organizations like Connecticut Yankee Council, Scouting America and Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders (BCYL), aim to connect students with industry professionals and encourage internship applications.

 

“Our partnership with UI and SCG allows our students to explore career opportunities in the electric and natural gas industries, bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional work experience,” said Susan Foss, Principal of Bullard-Havens Technical High School. “These internships are invaluable in supporting our district’s Vision of the Graduate and ensuring that our students have the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workforce after graduation.”

 

“Our partnership with local technical high schools is vital in connecting with students and giving them a glimpse of the rewarding careers in electric operations, “ said Moses Rams, President of UWUA Local 470-1 and Chief Line Crew Leader at UI. “As we enter our third year of the Trade Internship Program, we are excited to engage with students who have a passion for the electric industry. With trainers who have decades of experience, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where students can develop the skills needed for success in the field.” 

 

The 10-week Trade Internship Program offers a comprehensive, hands-on training experience both in the classroom and in the field. UI union scholars will receive instruction in pole-climbing, operating a bucket truck, and safely working with tools and equipment. SCG union scholars will learn about gas system design, installation, repairs, and safety inspections, gaining experience in both construction work and service calls. 

 

"Our goal is to broaden students' perspectives and encourage them to pursue careers in the electric industry, which remains in high demand as a significant portion of the workforce nears retirement," said Christine Pariseau, Senior Manager of Regional Operations at UI. "Through the Trade Internship Program, we have successfully addressed this gap by creating a skilled workforce pipeline, offering hands-on training that gives students a head start in their careers, sets them apart from their peers, and supports their continued education, enabling them to pursue apprenticeship programs immediately after high school."

 

“I’m proud to support SCG’s inaugural Trade Internship Program, which provides students with valuable real-world experience and a pathway to careers in the natural gas industry,” said Marcelo Assis, President of USW Local 12000 & 12000-1 AFL-CIO CLC and LNG Technician at SCG’s LNG Plant in Milford. “This program equips students with the practical skills needed for success, and my colleagues and I are excited to share our knowledge and expertise to help ensure they have the training and safe environment they need to thrive.”

 

Applications for the 2025 program will open in March. After a review and interview process, final selections will be made by end of April, with a tentative program start date in late June. This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster workforce development and ensure a sustainable, skilled workforce to meet growing energy demands in the region.

 

For more information on the program, visit:

 

 

Media Contact:
Marina Bach
Marina.bach@avangrid.com 
203-859-0883 

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