Connecting Employers to Qualified Workers
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by Linda LaFrombois, Summit Academy
How to fill job openings with skilled talent is at the forefront of all industries and employers, including the trades. The demand for electricians is high and, in the midst of a structural talent shortage, employers realize there is a growing need to think outside of the box to find talent.
Summit Academy OIC, a Minneapolis-based workforce solution, equips students with the education, marketable skills, and social networks needed to launch into entry-level jobs leading to long-term careers. Offering a 20-week pre-apprentice training in the electrical trades, Summit prepares diverse talent for careers by introducing key workplace fundamentals, such as blueprint reading and safety.
"Summit is a talent pipeline for us,” says Michelle Sininger, Human Resources and Safety Manager at Simonson Lumber. "The students have most of the skills we’re looking for.”
Summit students receive training in green energy concepts, residential wiring, construction safety, and construction math. Instruction on industry-recognized requirements for use of personal protection equipment, the development of professional communication skills, and emphasis on soft skills provide a level of professionalism that prepare graduates to work safely and successfully as individuals and as members of a team.
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The majority of students entering Summit’s Electrician training are low-income and looking for clear training pathways leading to careers with a living wage. They are ready for change, eager to learn, and stand out among their peers when seeking employment.
"When I did mock interviews, met the students, and saw the soft skills Summit is teaching the students—the ability to collaborate, to take initiative, and the focus on safety—that was the real draw,” Sininger says. "I could see how driven they are to be successful and to engage in the job they are working at. They are ready: they want to work, they want to learn, and they want to be part of your team.”
Learn more about Summit Academy OIC’s Electrician training at saoic.org.
