KAPOLEI, Hawaii (Island News) – Hawaii’s construction sector marked a major milestone with the graduation of 200 newly certified journeyworkers from the Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship & Training Fund (HCATF). This event underscores the state’s commitment to bolstering its skilled workforce as part of broader efforts to expand housing and infrastructure projects across the islands.

This year’s graduating class is especially notable for including HCATF’s first-ever millwrights, specialists whose skills are essential to advancing Hawaii’s clean energy infrastructure. Their addition reflects the evolving needs of the local construction industry, which is increasingly focused on sustainable and renewable energy projects.

The graduates consisted of 159 carpenters, 39 drywall specialists, and two pioneering millwrights. These new professionals will provide valuable services across the state, with 139 on Oahu, 35 in Maui County, 21 on the Big Island, and five on Kauai, helping to meet the diverse construction demands in urban and rural communities alike.

Edmund Aczon, Executive Director of HCATF, highlighted the importance of this milestone, saying, “This year’s class is particularly significant with our first millwright graduates, who will play a vital role in supporting Hawaii’s clean energy industry. There continues to be a significant pipeline of construction work across the state, and we continue to work with the industry to ensure we have the workforce to support the needs of our local industry.”

Among the graduates was Andrew Maberry, one of the two newly minted millwrights who currently works for American Piping & Boiler. Maberry joined the apprenticeship program in 2019 and shared his journey: “I joined the apprenticeship program for a more stable career, better pay and benefits. Initially, I started as a carpenter, but my employer needed a millwright, so I switched paths and have really enjoyed the work and challenge. It was hard work getting here, but I plan to continue on this path and learn more skills in the field as well as leadership skills.”

Hawaii’s construction workforce is growing rapidly, with over 40,000 workers currently active in the state, fueling numerous projects in housing, commercial buildings, and infrastructure. The HCATF, along with industry partners, continues robust recruitment and training efforts to meet increasing demand and to ensure the workforce remains skilled and adaptable.

Jade T. Butay, Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), emphasized the critical role of these graduates: “The graduates of the Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund represent the future of Hawaii’s skilled workforce.”

Those interested in pursuing a career as a journeyworker can find more information about the apprenticeship and training programs through HCATF’s official channels.

The introduction of millwright training into the apprenticeship program aligns with Hawaii’s push for clean energy solutions such as wind, solar, and geothermal projects, which require specialized mechanical skills for installation and maintenance. The state government and industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on ensuring that Hawaii’s workforce is prepared for this transition.

In the coming years, infrastructure projects related to transportation, housing developments, and renewable energy installations are expected to surge, underscoring the importance of skilled tradespeople in meeting these needs. The training fund’s efforts to diversify skillsets among workers will help strengthen Hawaii’s resilience in the face of economic and environmental challenges.

Originally reported by Kayli Pascal-Martinez in KITV.