Choosing the Right Learning Path SkillsUSA Massachusetts prepares students for apprenticeships
Though Hunter Claflin loves to learn new things, he’ll quickly tell you that the lessons that stick with him are the hands-on assignments – where learning is a byproduct of figuring out problems. When he arrived at Blackstone Valley Vocational and Technical High School, he knew he’d be taking skills courses to kick off his HVAC training, but he didn’t expect the impact of SkillsUSA Massachusetts on his future career.
While many of his classmates chose college after graduation, Claflin was among a growing number of young people across the country opting for apprenticeships. The novice HVAC technician is currently in his second year of a five-year program with the local chapter of the United Association of Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Techs.
“I didn't see myself as going to college,” said Claflin, who is based outside of Boston, “but this apprenticeship program allowed me to continue my education - and also get paid to learn. You’re doing something different each day, which I really like, and the diversity of jobs within the trade.”
The union provides on-the-job training, with more complex assignments and greater responsibility introduced each year. Along the way, apprentices - who earn a competitive full-time wage – can study for and earn different certifications that will make them more marketable and pursue more specialized and higher-paying roles.
Apprenticeships have a deep cultural history. With early references dating from the Late Middle Ages, many of the nation’s founding fathers completed apprenticeships before practicing as surveyors, silversmiths and printers.
A new resurgence in this unique workforce development model means that active registered apprenticeships have grown by more than 106% over the past decade, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. More employers today are recruiting future workers interested in “upskilling, reskilling and on-the-job training,” the agency reported.
In the past year, a national survey identified 830,000 new apprenticeship opportunities that could open up annually, leading to pathways that could result in $28.5 billion in higher earnings for American workers. The country celebrates National Apprenticeship Week this year from Nov. 18-22.
Gaining admission to an apprenticeship program is highly competitive, but Claflin credits his SkillsUSA experiences for helping to set him apart from other candidates. After two years in his HVAC vocational program, he campaigned and earned a seat as state parliamentarian, then was selected as national parliamentarian in his senior year.
Between the technical training in his skills classes and the leadership lessons at both levels, Claflin refined his resume. Those roles allowed him to connect with Brian Kelly, director of HVAC Services with the national union and a board member with Massachusetts SkillsUSA.
Through its Apprenticeship Connections Program, SkillsUSA Massachusetts is working to build relationships and develop pathways for students to enter these specialized programs across trades disciplines. “Our organization exists to prepare future skilled workers and leaders to fill critical jobs in every community of Massachusetts. Apprenticeships allow some of our most-talented students leaving high school to gain access to a structured and comprehensive training program that will serve them across their careers,” said Karen Ward, executive director of SkillsUSA Massachusetts.
“Because of SkillsUSA, I was able to secure my spot, because I was able to already have that hands-on experience and learn a trade right out of high school,” said Claflin, who currently spends a 40-hour week working for Trane Technologies, a commercial HVAC manufacturer. He also attends classes two nights a week to prepare for his refrigeration and oil burner's licenses.
As he progresses through the apprenticeship, Claflin is taking on more independent work, learning to troubleshoot HVAC systems and serve commercial clients. He’s already worked in some hospitals, but he hasn’t yet gotten the call to support the team serving Boston’s professional sports venues.
For now, he still lives in his childhood home, which allows him to save money during his apprenticeship and plan for eventually finding his own place. He also is considering different avenues within the HVAC industry, such as the union side of the business, after completing the program.
Claflin is also focused on making the most of this unique opportunity, embracing the challenges and rewards of the apprenticeship path and encouraging others to explore the possibility. “This will benefit you,” he added, “because it'll show you skills that you might not have learned otherwise.”