Since 2016, McKinstry has partnered with the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) Skills that Shine Mentorship Program, a program that connects industry partners with opportunity scholars for guidance as they transition from college to the workforce.  

Bunji McLeod, project engineer II, and WSOS alumnus, has been a WSOS mentor since 2021. Starting his career at McKinstry as an intern, Bunji funded his Gonzaga education through a WSOS scholarship, continuing his relationship with the organization by coming back to the Skills that Shine mentorship program every year. 

“My own WSOS mentor, Sean Novak, introduced me to McKinstry and encouraged me to apply for the B.L.U.E. Internship program,” Bunji said. “Without him, I don’t know if I’d be at McKinstry today. Now that I have a full-time job, I want to pay it forward.” 

Eleven volunteers represented McKinstry for the 2023-2024 mentorship season Though the program just wrapped for the season, WSOS is already prepping for the next school year, with sign-ups for the 2024-2025 mentorship program opening in July. Any Washington-based professionals are welcomed to apply. 

On June 25, the Seattle Manufacturing Facility kicked off McKinstry’s second Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) camp in partnership with Highline Public Schools. Over a dozen staff and union volunteers are donating their time to answer questions and lead students through the basics of sheet metal, plumbing, low-voltage electrical, piping, and HVAC service.

McKinstry’s HMSE camp is one of many held across the country through the non-profit organization The Heavy Metal Summer Experience that partners with organizations to host and facilitate summer camps, with a goal of sparking students’ interest in the skilled trades. In 2023, we hosted our first HMSE with a cohort of nine students. This year, we’re welcoming 12 students, ranging from incoming sophomores to graduated seniors, from all four Highline high schools to the 7-week program.

“At McKinstry, we are committed to fostering the next generation of industry innovators, and the HMSE program aligns with our educational priorities,” said Phil Marr, program manager. “Our involvement in HMSE ensures that students receive invaluable mentorship and practical skills, benefiting both the students and our industry by cultivating a pipeline of skilled and passionate young professionals.”

Hands-On Education Sparks Interest 

Students from Highline’s CORE PLUS Construction track were invited to apply for HMSE, to continue their education throughout the summer and gain more hands-on experience. CORE PLUS provides specialized classes allowing students to explore alternative career pathways and develop new skills. 

“In eighth grade, I took a design and engineering class, and it was a lot of fun,” said Ava Goodman, a sophomore and one of two female students in the cohort. “I took construction my freshman year, and it was one of my favorite classes because I got to get up and do stuff with my hands. It’s one of the reasons I actually like going to school.” 

Several of the students expressed a desire to follow in the footsteps of other family members with successful careers in the trades, growing up alongside parents who worked in a skilled trade or cousins who were part of a local union. 

“Many of my family members, including my dad, work in the trades,” said Gabriel Peña, a recent high school graduate. “My dad taught me a lot about HVAC when I was a kid, and I really liked what I learned. Once I got to my senior year, I decided that was what I wanted to do after high school.” 

Paving the Way for a Future Career

In the next 5-10 years, 41% of construction industry workers are expected to retire. Recruiting young people into the field continues to be a struggle as the push for a college education results in lower trade school enrollment rates.

“When I was finishing high school, there wasn’t a lot of visibility into the trades,” said John Panteleeff, plumber and HMSE instructor. “Back then, you either had a family member or a friend who worked in the trades, and you learned about the opportunity from them. To have high schoolers see that this is an option, that they don’t have to go to college and can still find fulfilling, great jobs in the trades, that’s a great opportunity.

Some students, like Gabriel, applied for the program with a plan of entering a specific trade while considering other potential options. Other students, like Ava, are using the program as an opportunity for exploration.

“I’m not exactly sure what I want to do yet, but I know I want to do something in the trades,” Ava said. “I wanted to go to college, and my mom pointed out that I could still go to college but pick one that’s focused on trades.”

New this year, HMSE instructors will nominate a standout student for an apprenticeship at Local 66, launching their career and education in the sheet metal industry.

“I have family members who work in Local 66,” Gabriel said. “When I heard about the apprenticeship opportunity, my family encouraged me to apply for HMSE. I never really liked school, but going to a trade school or doing an apprenticeship? I’m willing to do that.”

The program will conclude on August 8 with a graduation ceremony where instructors, McKinstry leaders, and students’ families will gather to celebrate the cohort’s achievements and completion of the program.

Two teammates from Service were recently honored at the Mechanical Contractors Association Western Washington’s (MCAWW) annual ceremony celebrating achievements in mechanical contracting. 

Lavell Flamon, project manager, Service, was awarded the Speech Network Gavel Award for his enthusiasm, dedication, and outstanding performance and leadership in the MCAWW Speech Network.    “The MCAWW Speech Network has been a great experience to craft my style and voice for public speaking,” Lavell said. “There are monthly opportunities to engage with other network members by playing impromptu speaking games, delivering speeches, providing constructive feedback, and opportunities to lead or take on administrative roles during meetings.” 

“Lavell has been a part of our Service team for a couple of years, and I couldn’t be prouder of him receiving this Speech Network Gavel Award,” said Mark Gardner, senior operations manager, Service, and Lavell’s manager. “He has been a significant influence in our group, an advocate for those around him, and always willing to do what is right for our clients. Beyond those wonderful qualities, Lavell is always looking for ways to better himself, and this includes attending MCAWW Speech Network. Bravo Lavell, Bravo!” 

Utah and Colorado E&TS teammates are bringing our expertise to Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) classrooms as part of a new community STEM engagement program.

In 2020, SLCSD announced their commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040, partnering with McKinstry to implement district-wide decarbonization projects including electrification, renewables, and building controls optimization. In the summer of 2024, in addition to eight new solar sites and a weatherization measure, the school board approved the inclusion of our powerED People Module pilot program to connect SLCSD’s investments to student curriculum through classroom visits and STEM nights.

As part of this pilot program, the team will visit 4th, 6th, and 8th grade classrooms to supplement their units on energy, focusing on schools included in the first and second phase of rooftop solar construction. Teammates will tailor their materials and activities to connect what the students are learning in class to McKinstry’s energy work and SLCSD’s Sustainability Action Plan. Our first classroom engagement sessions in November led by Sarah Parsons, senior account manager, Technical Services; Marianna Arocho, building energy analyst, Technical Services; Jason Grooms, account executive, Energy Utah; and Lin Alder, senior account executive, Energy Utah, were a massive success.

“This is unique to offer our People Module as a one-year pilot after our Process and Performance services have already been in place for two years,” Sarah said. “The students were very engaged in and excited about our classroom sessions last month. During the STEM night, students interacted with our Reveal dashboard and quickly noticed patterns in energy usage, such as the decline during COVID-19 and the effects of the Phase 1 ESPC energy optimization efforts. These interactions allow for valuable dialogue with the students, families, and faculty about energy use and conservation.”

Marianna enjoyed the opportunity to explain how power works to students.

“One of the photos in our presentation had power lines, and one of the kids asked, ‘What is that?’ We all walked over to the window where the power lines were and talked about where their power comes from,” Marianna said. “It was so cool to see the kids connect the dots between what they knew about energy, the work we do at McKinstry, and the work their school is doing.”

Earlier this year, we featured our work with Onion Creek, one of thirteen rural school districts we helped apply for the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Small School District Modernization Grant. In August, Energy Spokane landed another rural school project funded by this grant award, Wellpinit School District, valued at $5.3M.

Wellpinit School District is located on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Eastern Washington, primarily serving students from the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Colville Confederated Tribes, Nez Perce, and Coeur d’Alene. The school was established in 1913 and underwent renovations in the 1980s and early 2000s, but in 2021, they found themselves in need of urgent repairs.

“I truly appreciate our relationship with our Service team as they introduced me to this client knowing they needed several large HVAC renovations, and the client could only operate using a band-aid approach,” said Jack Knudsen, Energy Services senior account executive. “Because of this, we are planning several more phases of work as the school couldn’t afford bigger repairs unless they had this grant. They knew grant writing as well as short and long-term facility planning wasn’t their forte, so earlier this year, we brought in our expertise to help them scope and write this grant to secure the funding they needed.”

The district’s administration was thrilled with the grant’s results and the opportunity to give their campus a critical upgrade.

“You’re kind of a big deal!” said John Adkins, Wellpinit’s superintendent. “Actually, you’re very awesome!”

Thanks to a trusted partnership established by Jack Knudsen, Energy Services senior account executive, we’re helping rural schools get the funding they need to make critical facility improvements.

The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Small School District Modernization Grant helps small school districts that have little to no funding and significant building system deficiencies. This year, McKinstry helped thirteen school districts, including Onion Creek School District, apply by performing a free initial site assessment and writing the grant application.

Onion Creek School, in rural Washington serving less than 30 students a year, faces several challenges, including high staff turnover and an outdated facility. The district had obtained emergency repair funds, but these funds only provided a temporary fix to their outdated systems. Winning this grant provided a more permanent solution.

“When you’re missing school once or twice a year, it’s not a huge disruption to class schedules,” said Lance Funke, senior building energy program manager. “But when you lose almost two weeks of instructional time a year or experience over 30 power outages, it hurts the education environment. It’s easier in the digital age and they do a great job mitigating these challenges for their students, but it’s still not ideal.”

Thanks to the grant, Onion Creek School received funding to make necessary upgrades, including new HVAC, installing well-insulated doors and windows, replacing leaky atrium roof windows, upgrading lighting and their kitchen walk-in cooler, and providing a standby generator as backup for power outages.

We recently wrapped our second Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) camp, offering an impactful seven-week program for 12 Highline School District high school students. The program, designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of skilled trades careers — sheet metal, plumbing, low-voltage electrical, piping, and HVAC service — was held at our Seattle Manufacturing Facility, with union volunteers contributing their time and expertise.

Students participated in hands-on projects to help them develop foundational skills for various trades and visited three local unions. New this year was an introduction to McKinstry’s Service team, where students were introduced to the daily activities of HVAC technicians.

“I’m proud of everyone who helped these students explore what we do here at McKinstry and what the industry and trades are really like,” said Adam Campbell, superintendent, New Construction Mechanical. “We had a great time working with the students over the last few weeks!”

The HMSE program concluded with a memorable graduation ceremony that served as both a celebration and a recognition of their hard work and achievements over the seven-week program. Held in front of their families, friends, instructors, and program partners, the ceremony highlighted their journey, from their initial introduction to the trades to the completion of their projects.

This summer, McKinstry’s Social Impact team and more than a dozen staff and union teammates from the Seattle Manufacturing Facility are hosting a new cohort of students for our third-annual Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) camp in partnership with Highline Public Schools. During the 5-week program, the students will gain hands-on experience, working alongside our skilled tradespeople, on projects that explore the basics of plumbing, service, pipe fitting, and sheet metal.

McKinstry’s HMSE camp is one of many held across the country through The Heavy Metal Summer Experience, a non-profit organization that partners with organizations to host and facilitate summer camps that spark student interest in the skilled trades. This year, 12 students, ranging from incoming juniors to graduated seniors from three of Highline’s high schools, are participating in the program.

“This program is about giving young people a real-world window into the trades, not just teaching them how to use tools but also showing them what’s possible for their future,” said Phil Marr, program manager. “It's free, it’s hands-on, and it’s led by passionate trades professionals who genuinely care about mentoring the next generation.” 

Hands-on career exploration

This HSME cohort is part of Highline’s CORE PLUS Construction track, which gives students hands-on experience with tools, reading basic blueprints, and practicing residential construction skills like framing, plumbing, and electrical systems. HMSE allows students to continue to hone their skills over the summer and get a better understanding of their career options after graduation.

“For me, this program doesn't feel like I'm giving up my summer break,” said Jaden, a recently graduated senior. "I see it as something that’s crucial to my future as I’m starting my life and my career."

In the next 5-10 years, 41% of construction industry workers are expected to retire. HMSE aims to raise the profile of the trades as a rewarding, lucrative career path and to inspire more young people to enter trade schools. As added inspiration, one student from the HMSE cohort will be selected for direct entry into Local 66’s apprenticeship program at the end of the summer, launching their career and education in the sheet metal industry.

“When I graduated from high school, there was a strong push for a four-year degree and nothing else,” said Brandon Moore, refrigeration, who is leading the unit focused on Service. “It’s great that districts like Highline and programs like HMSE are encouraging students to pursue the trades, and it’s rewarding to share my passion with people who are interested in joining my industry.” 

Jaden has seen first-hand how beneficial a career in the trades can be. His parents are both longshoremen and members of ILWU Local 19, and his relatives own a successful plumbing business.

“I was already interested in going to trade school before I heard about HMSE,” Jaden said. “I knew college wasn’t for me, unless it was something in construction or something that would help me get into a trade.”

“For me, this program doesn't feel like I'm giving up my summer break. I see it as something that’s crucial to my future as I’m starting my life and my career." - Jaden, a recently graduated senior

Rather than going into plumbing with his family, Jaden is eager to find his own niche. He went into HMSE aspiring to be an electrician, but gaining exposure to each trade has widened his scope of interest.

“My favorite part of the program has been meeting the instructors and hearing what they do,” Jaden said, “The program has definitely given me a new perspective of all the options out there and all the different paths I could take with my career.”

Other students are also using this program as an opportunity for career exploration. Khalifala, an incoming senior, moved to the United States from Liberia two years ago and is interested in learning about different career options in the United States. Khalifala’s interest in construction stems from his experience helping his family with construction projects in Liberia and interactions with a family friend in the ironworks industry. He is open to exploring opportunities in any trade and is also considering studying environmental science.  

“One thing I learned through this program was how much more there is to plumbing and piping,” Khalifala said. “I always saw it as working on toilets, but then I learned it was also responsible for getting oxygen to hospitals and safe drinking water to people. Now that I’ve learned more, it’s one of the trades I'm most interested in.”

Based on feedback from past cohorts, this year’s program also features two field trips to McKinstry jobsites and a Professional Development workshop hosted by the Unity Alliance on July 30.  

"My favorite part of the program so far was our field trip to the University of Washington Power Plant jobsite,” said Sara, an incoming senior who is interested in construction and how it connects to her interest in cars. “We went underground and got to see the tunnels that heat and cool the buildings on campus. It was really hot down there. I had never seen anything like that before or knew it was possible.” 

The program will wrap with a graduation ceremony on July 31 where instructors, McKinstry leaders, and students’ families will celebrate the cohort’s achievements and completion of the program.