This week we spoke with two students in our Facilities Maintenance Apprenticeship (FMA) Program- Ryan Cote and Kenneth Amoako. The 18-month program is the only registered apprenticeship for Facilities Maintenance Technicians in Massachusetts, and helps to address an increasing shortage of skilled workers in the field by providing classroom instruction and on-the-job training that serves as a clear ladder of upward mobility in the field of facilities maintenance.

The program was established in partnership with Winn Companies after our industry partners began noticing a large turnover rate for entry-level employees in property management, primarily attributed to poor onboarding practices and initial training opportunities. In fact, 74% of businesses are expected to experience a shortage of maintenance workers over the next 5 years. Additionally, 49% of executives believe today’s graduates are less prepared for than they were 15 years ago.

The FMA Program helps to address this need for entry-level training in the field through a combination of classes and hands-on experience. Ryan says the program has opened his eyes to aspects of the job he didn't realize existed. For example, he has learned how to read and understand blueprints through one of his classes, and has found this skill to be immensely helpful in his day-to-day work.

Over the course of the program, Kenny and Ryan will complete a total of 4 courses (8 credits) as they work towards their Facilities Maintenance Technician Certificate. Apprentices learn basic plumbing, electrical, and mechanical skills; cleaning and preventative maintenance; pest management; landscaping; and occupational health and safety while they are employed full time with an employer sponsor. Kenny says combining work with school has been tough, but he was willing to make it work. And it turns out that his hard work is really paying off! He has received calls from agencies looking to hire skilled workers, but has decided to stay with his current employer, Winn Residential. He says being in a new company with higher expectations was challenging at first, but ultimately working with Winn has helped boost his confidence after he was able to meet those expectations. The positive feelings about Winn and the overall experience are shared by Ryan.

Ryan says what he will miss most about the program after graduation this summer are his classmates, instructors, and the opportunity to learn surrounded by people who are just as eager to better themselves as he is. Kenny says he will miss being able to work as a group and encourage one another. His favorite project thus far involved the apprentices working as a team and sharing ideas to make it work, and his favorite memories have been hearing from his peers about their experiences and challenges at work.

Through the program, Kenny and Ryan now have access to higher paying, quality jobs in their new profession. Ryan says since starting this program he has already been promoted from Tech 1 to Tech 2 and has earned a number of new certifications. He was recently featured in a Spotlight Award with his company, and says with more opportunities on the way, the benefits to the program are endless. Kenny and Ryan both plan to continue learning and building their skillset after the program ends. Their success in their apprenticeships so far serves as an inspiration to others looking to enter the profession, and we are so excited to share their stories. Congratulations Kenny and Ryan! We know that you will continue learning and growing in your careers for many years to come.

Interested in Learning More?

Facilities Maintenance Apprentices receive full benefits and earn starting wages of $16.50 per hour, which steadily increases to $18.50 by completion of the program. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for general maintenance and repair workers is $38,000 - almost $7,000 higher than the country's average salary across all industries. This promising outlook is leading to an increase in program applications. Any Boston resident interested in building and property maintenance is eligible and encouraged to apply for the next cohort, which will begin in the Fall of 2021. The initial program success is also drawing attention from potential employer sponsors, and YBB is currently seeking new partners to help us grow the program. Please download the flyer in this article for more information.