North Carolina Construction News special feature
Change is a reality that many military veterans face when their service ends. The challenge of making the transition back to civilian life can be daunting for even the most decorated service member.Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc., a leading electrical and telecommunications subcontractor throughout New England and the Southeast for over four decades, aims to help men and women navigate their way through this process and prides itself as a viable option for veterans as they consider new career opportunities. Specifically, the company’s in-house Apprenticeship Training Program (ATP) is an excellent pathway to future success, and offers the type of supportive environment that veterans can thrive in.
Griffin Electric knows first-hand that military experience can be a huge asset. The company is fortunate to have a number of employees who have previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces. With shared values and similarities both culturally and structurally between Griffin Electric and the military, many employees who have made the switch note a smooth transition.
A Griffin Telecom Foreman who served in the U.S. Army for eight years states that “Griffin is a well organized and structured company. The military has a chain of command just like Griffin does…the transition was easy because Griffin gave me an opportunity for advancement like the military.” Griffin Electric and the military both emphasize continual training and development in order to ensure its people are well equipped to perform at their best.
Beyond these organizational similarities, there are also many individual skills that translate well to a career in the trades and ultimately help veterans assimilate into their new roles more easily. “Veterans of the Armed Forces are highly valued at the company both because we honor their service to the country and because we recognize that their skills translate extremely well to a career here,” said Griffin’s Corporate Human Resources Manager, a U.S. Army veteran who served for five years.
“Employees who have military experience are generally accustomed to and appreciate a structured approach to training, understand the importance of being on time for work each day, and have a strong work ethic.”
A mechanic at Griffin who served four years in the U.S. Navy echoes this sentiment and says that “as an electrician you will encounter a multitude of scenarios which will require critical thinking, problem solving and mechanical aptitude. These are skills that the majority of service members acquire during their time in the military.”
Armed with the skills and experiences that will help them be successful, veterans are ideal candidates for the company’s apprenticeship program. Accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and designated as an approved training site by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the company’s program features a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning.
“Griffin provides a structured Apprenticeship Training Program on the path to electrical licensure as well as opportunities for hardworking, dedicated individuals to build lucrative, long-term careers with a company that values their service and experience,” says Griffin’s corporate HR manager.
Throughout the ATP school year, classroom and hands-on instruction takes place in the 27,500-sq. ft. of dedicated training space that is part of Griffin Electric’s headquarters in Holliston, MA, and on-site at each of the company’s regional offices in Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, NC; Pelham, AL; and Duluth, GA.
Apprentices earn excellent compensation and are eligible for wage increases every six months, based on grades and work performance. They also receive full benefits while having the opportunity to gain 8,000 hours of practical field experience under the supervision of a licensed journeyperson. Through employment with Griffin Electric, and satisfactory participation and progress in its Apprenticeship Training Program, veterans may also be entitled to receive a monthly stipend from the VA through the Post-9/11 GI Bill to help meet the cost of everyday expenses.
If you are a military veteran navigating your next career move, Griffin Electric may be the company for you. Veterans already embody many of the abilities and characteristics that translate to hands-on work, such as the skilled trades. The apprenticeship option is a pathway that can lead to a fulfilling and successful career in the electrical trade, including the potential for future advancement into leadership roles.
To learn more about Griffin Electric and its employment opportunities, please visit www.waynejgriffinelectric.com, call its recruiting hotline at 800-421-0151, or email your resume to fieldrecruiting@wjgei.com
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