Sikorsky’s Career Pathways Union Mentoring Program Positions Grads for Success; Supports Workforce Development

For 18 years, Stratford-based Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has partnered with the Teamsters Local 1150 in the Career Pathways Union Mentoring Program, exposing students to hands-on learning, manufacturing skills, and jobs.

Through this unique youth apprenticeship program, juniors and seniors from eight local high schools, including four Connecticut technical high schools, have the opportunity to be full-fledged union members and get first-hand experience on the floor of the world’s leading manufacturer of rotary-winged aircraft.

According to Dennis Yaremich, Career Pathways Program Coordinator and a Kaynor Technical High School graduate, the program brings union and management together to work collaboratively on programmatic activities that introduce young people to careers in helicopter manufacturing and contribute to the development of a pool of skilled and motivated potential employees.

Lockheed Martin has pledged to create 8,000 new apprenticeship opportunities and invest $5 million in vocational and trade programs by 2023.

“The U.S. aerospace and defense industry relies predominantly on an American workforce and is disproportionally impacted by the shortage of skilled manufacturing workers to fill critical jobs,” said Marillyn A. Hewson, Lockheed Martin chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The president has raised this issue to a level of national urgency and we are ready to do our part. Lockheed Martin’s pledge demonstrates our commitment to enacting workforce solutions that keep pace with technological innovation, preparing workers for the challenges of the 21st Century and helping to secure American prosperity and national security.”

The Career Pathways Program began in 2002 and has since trained 300 students across multiple trade disciplines. Students receive critical trade skills working on major products, like the Black Hawk helicopter and CH-53K King Stallion helicopter.

Albert Satkowski III, an automotive technology student at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School and Career Pathways Program participant, worked this past summer at Sikorsky’s Shelton facility overhauling hydraulic servos.

“In my job I would take helicopter parts that needed maintenance and service, and make them new again,” said Satkowski. “I loved every day of it…I could apply the basic foundations I learned in shop at O’Brien Tech, and I learned new skills at Sikorsky.”

“Not many kids our age get to work with helicopters each day,” said Alex Fecteau, a current Sikorsky employee and 2019 graduate of Kaynor Tech’s electrical program. “[The Career Pathways Program] gave me a sense of responsibility. I pay my own bills. I pay my car payment. It turns us into full adults very quickly.”

Students who wish to become part of this premier program must endure a competitive application and selection process. To be considered, interested junior and seniors must have an exceptional academic record, extracurricular activities and volunteering experience.

Daniel Campbell, also a current Sikorsky employee and 2019 Platt Tech graduate from the Electronics program, said his shop teacher encouraged him to apply to see how the skills they were learning in shop were applicable to the outside world.

“I thought it was an interesting opportunity…something that I could get paid to do during the summer and gain some experience in the field,” said Campbell.

Campbell said that the knowledge of small components he gained at Platt Tech has proved useful in his job at Sikorsky.

Both former tech school students are assigned to Sikorsky’s Avionics Department where they build helicopter wire harnesses.

Once accepted, students commit to the program for 8 weeks each summer as Local 1150 members, and work hand-in-hand with highly experienced union mentors. During this time, they are compensated with full- time union wages.

Everyone interviewed agreed that the program motivated them to keep their grades up, graduate high school and come back to work.

“I have a larger drive to push me through the school year,” said Satkowski. “I have a full-time job to go to after I graduate high school; I have it right at my fingertips.”

One hundred percent of the graduating program class of 2019 were offered full-time jobs at Sikorsky.

New this year, the Career Pathways Program became a certified Aircraft Manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program. Students who complete the program typically have about 600 hours of experience. With the pre-apprenticeship status, students can now apply those hours as apprenticeship credits at any company in the aerospace industry with an apprenticeship program.

“Ever since I was a little kid I knew I wanted to be an employee at Sikorsky,” he said Satkowski. “I knew about the program well before coming to high school – it’s why I came to Emmett O’Brien Tech. I would highly recommend this to any student. It’s a great opportunity.”