Hylan announced the launch of  “Hylan Academy” as a direct response to the shortage of skilled utility construction workers across the United States. Hylan Academy aims to quickly and efficiently train construction workers in the complex utility builds that the company regularly undertakes, and will also support current Hylan field employees by offering cross training and career roadmaps. The curriculum is designed to support Hylan’s company vision and mission, which includes “building rewarding careers for our people.”

The Hylan Academy program model incorporates a grass roots, hands on approach to employee development. Supported by state-recognized apprenticeship programs coupled with structured training facilities in Hylan West’s Mesa, Arizona office location to include its mobile technologies learning center, Hylan Academy is scheduled to depart for its preliminary launch in Des Moines, Iowa on June 28, 2021. Currently, there are two approved apprentice programs in Arizona, pending three additional approvals in the weeks to come. Hylan is also working with the Iowa State Apprenticeship Program for the rollout of five new programs upon securing its new office location in Iowa.

Slade Ottney, President of Hylan West, a division of Hylan, has led the company in the launch of Hylan Academy. “We could not be more excited about the launch of Hylan Academy, a cutting-edge program that will be a great way to quickly and effectively bring more skilled workers into our industry,” says Ottney. “The extensive curriculum will focus on the education of industry best practice methodology to build and prepare a sustainable construction-capable workforce to be more efficient in a shorter timeframe with the experience to mitigate work loss time due to return trips or quality issues.”

The utility construction industry, much like any trade industry, requires skilled workers to perform the craft. This comes with various levels of success based on the mentorship and training abilities of those that come before us to hand down the qualities of productive workmanship.

“At Hylan, we truly value our employees,” says Joe Cecin, CEO of Hylan. “We need to make sure that our existing Hylan Family is supported in the field, and we want to be sure that all of the new trainees feel comfortable and have a handle on our operations. Hylan Academy will ensure both of these goals are achieved, and the program supports our core values. We are very excited to get started and do our part to ensure a more sustainable workforce both for Hylan and for the industry as a whole.”