Aldridge is proud to support the District of Columbia Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) as a partner contractor. This academy prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the construction industry, including the utility segment, which will help meet the need for skilled infrastructure professionals in the DC Metro area. Launched in 2018, DC Infrastructure Academy is a key initiative of Mayor Muriel Bower and is led by the Department of Employment Services.
In May, Aldridge welcomed the DCIA Class of 2021 into our DC office for a hands-on training experience. As part of the cohort’s 15-week program, each partner contractor provides a glimpse into what their company can offer the graduates in a future career. Previously a lunch-and-learn session, Aldridge asked if we could provide the graduates with a hands-on training experience to give them a glimpse into a day in the life of an Aldridge employee. This hands-on training included exposure to our Incident and Injury Free Orientation, enclosed space training in our custom utility training trailer, and a one-on-one career development discussion with Tom Tucker, Vice President of National Power.
Incident and Injury Free Orientation
At Aldridge, safety is paramount. One of the first experiences we offer all of our new employees is an introduction to our safety culture with an IIF Orientation. In 2015, we implemented the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) initiative and have since gone above and beyond industry standards by putting a heavy emphasis on the importance of safety within our culture. This culture-changing journey is a significant organizational and financial investment in safety excellence, and a commitment we take great pride in. In this environment, IIF is a mindset intolerant of any incident or injury, and a culture in which doing something safely is recognized as an inseparable element of “doing it right” and is valued over efficiency or productivity.
During the 4-hour IIF Orientation, everyone is encouraged to participate in discussions and share personal stories about what safety means to them. This orientation is about building trust and interacting as a team and is more than a typical training course. The participants from DCIA were very engaged and shared how their views of safety have changed and what moments or circumstances have led to their current relationship with safety. They had an opportunity to share and ask probing questions about how and why Aldridge conducts their business with safety at the forefront.
Enclosed Space Training
Since the goal of the DCIA is to prepare graduates for real-life utility work, this event was a great opportunity to showcase our Utility Training Trailers. Together with a full-time training manager, these trailers travel the country training and qualifying union electricians to do complex vault and utility work in enclosed spaces. The live environment found within the enclosed space allows for hands-on training of both short and long maintenance routines, including troubleshooting situations.
Q&A with Industry Professionals
Vice President of National Power, Tom Tucker, hosted the event and spent time explaining the numerous career opportunities in the infrastructure industry. The participants also had an opportunity to speak to one of our electricians, Ebonie Purvis, about her experience with Aldridge and being trained in the trailers for the work she is helping to complete for our manhole assessment program. Miguel A. Ortega, Vice President of Project & Contract Management at Pepco Holdings, also participated in the event and made himself available for questions about the importance Pepco places on safety and their Contractor of Choice program of which Aldridge is an active contractor participant.
We are committed to supporting and building the workforce in and around the communities we serve. Our comprehensive program provides specialized technical training and workforce preparedness for participants looking to enter the energy and utility field. All participants who have successfully completed this training have been offered full-time opportunities with Pepco or a Pepco contractor of choice.
If you’re interested in learning more about a career in the energy field and joining the local workforce, visit dcinfrastructureacademy.org today.
Aldridge is dedicated to social responsibility. To learn more, visit aldridgegroup.com/diversity
