7. Serving the Greater Good Forty years of apprentices

In 1982, Facilities Management launched the UVA Apprenticeship Program, the first of its kind to be established by a state agency in Virginia.

The first class of apprentices transferred from familiar in-house jobs, taking a risk on a new program to pursue professional development in the trades. Fourteen members of that first class continued their careers at the University for decades, many of them working at UVA until their retirement. Two members of that first class – Health System Physical Plant Zone 3 HVAC Supervisor Jeff Gibson and Construction & Renovation Services Electrician Lead Michael Flowers – are still employed by the University today.

Since 1982, more than 220 apprentices have graduated from the program and gone on to earn, learn, and advance in their careers at UVA and elsewhere. Approximately 80 percent of these graduates are still employed by the University or worked at UVA until their retirement.

Over the past 40 years, the program has evolved to meet the needs of the University, Facilities Management and the community. In 2021, the program achieved National Center for Construction Education and Research accreditation which allowed for the classroom portion of the program to transition in-house, setting the stage for the development of the 2+2 Program.

The new 2+2 Program model allows for an inexperienced new hire to spend the first two years of their apprenticeship learning generally about the skilled trades and jobsite safety. Their final two years of the program are spent in a specialized trades track. The apprentice team works with apprentices all four years to determine and maintain an individual development plan to jumpstart their careers.

The UVA FM Apprenticeship Program team and UVA apprentices participate in extensive outreach, visiting local schools and job fairs year-round. The team continues to focus on educating the local community – including students, teachers, counselors, and parents – on the lucrative career that a job in the skilled trades can provide, in lieu of, prior to, or in tandem with, a college degree.

Occupational Programs works with other local skilled trades and construction contractors as partners in this educational endeavor to provide hands-on trades experiences and opportunities for individuals to meet and interact with those in an apprenticeship or a skilled trades career.