Photo courtesy of Facilities Management

Eleven new apprentices sign contracts for the four-year program.

August 22, 2005 -- Three state certified journeymen graduated from the University of Virginia’ Apprentice Program July 27 and 11 new apprentices were inducted at the annual Apprentice Graduation/Induction and Training Recognition Ceremony in the Rotunda Dome Room.

Graduates were David Gowen in HVAC, Alan Jarvis, plumber/
steamfitter, and Robert W. Gentry, electronics technician.

The new plumber steamfitter apprentices are Erick Duke and Eric Cline at Health System Physical Plant; Kevin Kidd was recruited from Operations Landscape division and will work in Facilities Management’s Energy & Utilities Department; and Tiewan Benston who will work in Operations on the Academic side.

Timothy Nelson joins the Operations Department as a carpentry apprentice.

Electrical apprentices will be Jamel Smith at Health System Physical Plant, Matthew Shekleton in the Energy & Utilities Department, and Gary Shifflett in Operations.
The new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) apprentices are Jeremy Wood who will be in the Energy & Utilities Department, Cindy Campbell who will be in Operations, and Kevin Henderson who will be at Health System Physical Plant.
The July 27 event also recognized 31 Facilities Management employees who completed the in-house Supervisory Development Series and/or National Safety Council certification classes that met monthly from September through June. These classes were developed specifically for Facilities Management’s work force and their responsibilities.

Other “students” recognized were those employees who completed job-related certifications and two – Lystra Cedeno and Markietta Frazier - who earned their GED diplomas in April. In her opening remarks, Vice President for Management and Budget Colette Sheehy also noted the “Voices of Adult Learners” award won by Mary F. Johnson, and the State Safety Star Award presented to the University because of the efforts and initiatives of safety coordinators Brian Shifflett and Mark Breeden.

The University’s Apprenticeship Program, now in its 23rd year, is sponsored by Facilities Management. Apprentice positions in trades such as HVAC, electricity, electronics, plumbing/steamfitting, carpentry and mason/plastering are posted annually on April 15. Applications are accepted April 15 through May 15. For more information on the program, visit http://www.fm.virginia.edu/ApprenticeProgram.aspx