Recently, I had the honor of being asked to participate in the strategic planning session for the Heavy Metal Summer Experience program. If you are not familiar with this program, it is the innovation of construction professionals from California’s Bay Area and Seattle, who have made workforce development their passion.
The Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) is a 6-week program introducing young people to trade opportunities in Mechanical construction. Heavy Metal Summer Experience began as a pilot program in 2021. Following its success, HMSE produced a playbook for other contractors to follow, and it is sweeping across the nation.
As I sat in on this planning session, I was taken back by the main topics of conversation were making this highly successful program even better, slowing the growth to a manageable level, and new ways to help expose kids to the program.
I was honored to be included, and my guess was that I was invited to help brainstorm new ideas for the HMSE… But I couldn’t help but feel like I was the one being schooled, and I was the one who took more from the session than I brought to it.
In all seriousness, the HMSE is an incredible program, led by some incredible individuals. It was truly a privilege to be invited to be included in this organization. If you are looking for ways to be a part of the movement to close the skilled trades gap, you might consider supporting the HMSE.
We at Working Class are beyond excited to add the HMSE as a sponsor of Working Class. Their support and dedication to closing the skilled trades gap is second to none. HMSE, welcome to the Working Class family!
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