“Our ultimate plan is to create a comprehensive pipeline that connects students with rewarding careers in Facilities Management.”

Loren Winn, Director, Facilities Human Resources

Electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians are among the most in-demand skilled trades professionals, with job openings far outpacing available workers. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Premier Service Company, Alabama currently has 115,000 skilled trades job openings but only enough workers to fill 63 out of every 100 positions.

This shortage stems from a combination of factors: an aging workforce nearing retirement, increased residential and commercial construction and Alabama’s low unemployment rates. These challenges are felt by Auburn University’s Facilities Management department, which employs more than 450 people—nearly half of whom work in skilled trades.

“Many of our applicants came from construction backgrounds, and shifting into service and maintenance roles wasn’t always easy,” said Dan Whatley, associate vice president of Facilities Operations within Facilities Management. “With so much construction underway on campus and hundreds of millions of dollars circulating through the local economy, we’re constantly competing with that sector for skilled talent. It’s a real challenge when the demand for electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians exceeds the available workforce.”

A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO WROKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

In response to these challenges, Facilities launched an award-winning workforce development program in 2022. The goal is to build a pipeline of skilled workers by engaging students early.

“We realized we needed to develop our own workforce,” Whatley said. “So we began introducing high school students to employment opportunities in Facilities.”

The program, a collaboration between Facilities’ Human Resources and Operations departments, partners with local and state entities to educate students and their families about careers in skilled trades starting as early as high school.

“Our ultimate plan is to create a comprehensive pipeline that connects students with rewarding careers in Facilities,” said Loren Winn, division director of Facilities Human Resources. “We do this through a series of connected work-based learning programs that allow students to explore their interests and develop relevant skills.”

These programs include:

• Career Connections
• Facilities tours
• Job Shadowing
• Co-ops
• Apprenticeships

“Students don’t have to participate in Career Connections, but that is where we get most of our co-op students,” said Hayley White, manager of Facilities Human Resources. “Many times students will work the summer Career Connections program and enjoy their work. Later they may have a gap in their high school schedule and they decide to work a co-op with us and receive high school credit.”

The programs lead into one another to help students explore options on the outside of the academic divide. A university or collegiate education may not be preferred by some students.

Facilities helps bridge that divide by giving students work experience during their secondary education, allowing them to travel other available paths without risk or experience.

“Students can use these opportunities to make informed decisions about their future,” Winn said. “If they choose to pursue a facilities-related apprenticeship, they’ll gain a head start and help build our skilled trades workforce.”

Today, the programs continue to grow.

“We’re being intentional in how we reach out to future employees,” Whatley said. “Our biggest goal is to foster relationships early, so students understand the opportunities available to them and it’s working.”

SUCCESS STORIES: FROM STUDENT TO SKILLED TRADES PROFESSIONAL

Ja’Kalen Martin – Electrician Apprentice

Opelika High School graduate Ja’Kalen Martin discovered his passion for trades during a Facilities tour.

“I always thought I’d go into marketing or accounting,” Martin said. “But in 11th grade, I started exploring other options. I like working with my hands, so I toured Facilities just weeks before graduation.”

He interviewed for an apprenticeship the day before graduating and was hired shortly after.

“I’m extremely blessed to be getting paid to learn a trade straight out of high school,” Martin said.

Now, he participates in Facilities’ tours and shares his journey with other students.

Teddy Herrmann – HVAC Apprentice

Auburn High School graduate Teddy Herrmann joined the Career Connections program and later became a temporary Facilities employee before applying for an HVAC apprenticeship.

“The high school Career Connections and co-op programs exposed me to nearly every campus system,” Herrmann said. “I considered becoming an electrician or HVAC technician and chose HVAC because it combines HVAC, plumbing and electrical work.

“This is a golden opportunity to learn how the modern world operates behind the scenes,” he said.

He is also using the educational benefits offered by the university to attend classes and earn a mechanical engineering degree.

Cullen Kennedy – Apprentice of the Year

Valley High School graduate Cullen Kennedy was named the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship’s Central Alabama Apprentice of the Year for Region 5.

“I planned to attend a community college for electrical work,” Kennedy said. “But when I learned about Facilities’ apprenticeship program, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience. Learning a trade that will serve me for life feels great. The pay and benefits are the cherry on top.”

Currently, six apprentices are employed – one electrician, three plumbers, and two HVAC technicians. Graduates earn nationally recognized credentials and are eligible for journeyman licenses.

Jesus Mendoza Montoya – Full-Time Facilities Employee

Jesus Mendoza Montoya is the first student to participate in every Facilities work-based learning program and transition into a full-time role.

His journey began as a junior at Beauregard High School with a job shadowing day. He later joined the Career Connections program with In-House Construction and participated in the co-op program with the Landscaping team, which led to a full-time position.

“I didn’t really understand how landscaping worked until my co-op,” said Montoya, who worked for his family’s construction business before taking part in Facilities workforce development programs. “I enjoy landscaping. Since I started full-time, I have learned how to properly use the edger and weed eater. I’ve also learned a lot about what type of weeds to treat and the different types of plants spread across campus.”

He now sees Facilities as a long-term career and even introduced his younger brother and a friend to the program. Both have since joined Facilities through co-op and full-time roles.

LOOKING AHEAD

“We’re committed to investing in the future workforce,” White said. “We are expanding the workforce development program to include other entities on campus that do maintenance such as Property Management, Athletics, the Auburn University Regional Airport and Auburn University at Montgomery.

“We are conducting training planning with these departments now, but they will soon begin participating in job shadowing, Career Connections and industry tours.

Also, moving forward, the plan is to continue hiring apprentices annually.

“This year, we’re hiring plumbers. In 2026, it may be HVAC or electrical,” White said. “I’m excited for our first cohort to complete the program next year,” she added. “I also look forward to welcoming more employees like Jesus who started with us in high school.”