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Sponsored by: Avangrid
March 18, 2025

Empowering the Future: Avangrid and UI’s Trade Internship Programs

In an era where skilled trades are increasingly vital, United Illuminating (UI) is taking important steps to ensure a robust and well-trained workforce for the future. Through a series of innovative trade internship programs, the Connecticut energy company is tackling current labor shortages and creating sustainable career pathways for young individuals in the utility industry.

Strengthening the Skilled Trades Workforce

UI and its Orange-based parent company, Avangrid, have launched comprehensive recruitment efforts to bolster the skilled trades workforce.These initiatives are designed to attract and train high school students, providing them with hands on experience in the energy sector. The programs respond to the growing need for skilled workers, particularly as the industry faces a wave of retirements in the coming years and the increasing manufacturing presence in Connecticut.

Christine Pariseau, Senior Manager of Regional Operations, emphasizes the importance of these programs: “The utility in general is going to need hundreds of people to help down the road. The program is so important because it helps improve their neighborhood’s reliability. When you have roots here, why wouldn’t you want to help make that better?”

Creating Career Pathways

The workforce development initiative launched in New Haven and Bridgeport, and expanded to Milford and Ansonia, demonstrates UI’s commitment to creating career pathways in the utility industry. This initiative offers technical training and emphasizes personal and professional development, ensuring that participants are well prepared to succeed in their careers.

John Paul MacPherson, a Working Leader and Program Trainer, highlights the urgency of these efforts: “Many of our line workers will be eligible for retirement in the next five years, and you have to backfill that workforce. You have to get in young, fresh, new talent. That’s the goal of all this, to help direct and guide these kids in a good direction moving forward for the rest of their lives.”

Hands-On Training and Real-World Experience

One of the unique features of these programs is the emphasis on hands-on training. High school students work along side experienced professionals, gaining practical skills directly applicable to their future careers. This approach not only enhances their technical abilities but also instills a sense of confidence and readiness for the workforce.

Tiffany Rosado, a Rotational Utility Worker and Union Scholar Graduate, shares her experience: “For me, I think this experience was absolutely amazing. This is the best opportunity that I could have ever been offered. For the workforce to look at us like another hand to help has been great.”

A Sustainable Future

As the state moves towards greater electrification across manufacturing, industry, transportation, and residential needs, the demand for skilled workers in the utility industry is expected to rise. Moses Rams, Chief Line Crew Leader and President of UWUA Local 4701, underscores the importance of these programs in meeting future needs: “We need more and more people to support this type of industry. By visiting the high schools, introducing them to this line of work, we’ll sustain and maximize our electric system for years.”

The Future is Bright

UI’s trade internship programs exemplify how proactive workforce development can yield lasting benefits or individuals and the community. By investing in the next generation of skilled workers, these companies address immediate labor shortages while paving the way for a more reliable and sustainable utility industry. As these programs continue to grow and evolve, they promise a brighter future for everyone involved.