BUSINESS CASE STUDIES

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BUSINESS CASE STUDY

Hoffman Construction

Since 1922, Hoffman Construction has built a legacy in excellence to become one of the largest general contractors in the U.S. With quality and safety as a top priority, they need strong training programs to help build their future workforce.

Learning construction through apprenticeship helps shape the workforce of tomorrow. On-the-job training with a skilled professional builds future talent and produces quality craftsmanship. As one of the largest general contractors in the U.S., this craftsmanship is crucial to Hoffman Construction. “It’s the difference between being successful today and also being successful three years and 10 years and 20 years into the future,” said Project Manager Gerry Hein. “The apprenticeship programs are the pipeline to bring people into the trades that are critical to us and that we need in order to do our work.”

Hoffman Construction has worked with apprentices since the inception of apprenticeship programs, and for good reason. In construction, you learn by observing a skilled individual, emulating their work, and practicing that work to become confident in your abilities. Apprentices improve their skills over time, integrating into a workforce that can tackle the intricacies of complex projects.

“The apprenticeship programs are the pipeline to bring people into the trades that are critical to us and that we need in order to do our work.”

“When you’re doing complicated projects, the skillsets become much more critical to executing work,” said Gerry. “The only way you’re going to get those skill sets is through a long program of learning, and that’s apprenticeship.” Having a high skill set not only ensures quality, but also safety while on the job. This is a crucial component that’s taught to apprentices at Hoffman Construction, meaning fewer on-the-job injuries due to improper training. “If you’re a business where people really need to learn a skill and that skill takes a fair amount of time to learn, then apprenticeship is a no-brainer path,” said Gerry.

Many apprentices enter into a new career with little or no skills in their chosen field, meaning they start at a lower wage than a worker who already has the required skills for that job. As a business, you’re able to offer an education, wages, and benefits to an apprentice, but at a lower upfront cost. Over time, apprentices wages increase as they develop their skills, shaping them into ideal candidates for a long term career. Businesses can take that time to evaluate whether individuals are suited for their company and make an informed decision about hiring them after an apprenticeship.

“When you’re doing complicated projects, the skillsets become much more critical to executing work,” said Gerry. “The only way you’re going to get those skill sets is through a long program of learning, and that’s apprenticeship.”

Conversely, apprentices can use their program to determine whether their new career path is a good fit for them as well. “An apprentice can learn, ‘Is this the job I really want? Do I want to go into a different trade? Do I want to go somewhere else?’” said Gerry. “It benefits both businesses to learn about the person and the worker to learn about the business.”

“If you’re a business where people really need to learn a skill and that skill takes a fair amount of time to learn, then apprenticeship is a no-brainer path,” said Gerry.

Businesses who hire apprentices are providing an amazing opportunity to individuals who want to build towards a new career. Apprenticeship can provide an alternative route to going to college, which is a path not suited for everyone. “We have folks [at Hoffman] that are in very high positions who never graduated from high school,” said Gerry. “They were very, very smart people who became extremely successful as they learned the trade, became supervisors, and climbed up through the ranks to where they are superintendents on projects.”

RECAP

THE BENEFITS OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP FOR BUSINESSES

For around 100 years, Hoffman Construction has built structures that stand the test of time. From the historic Heathman Hotel in downtown Portland to the renovation of the iconic Space Needle in Seattle, Hoffman Construction never sacrifices quality. Their craftsmanship is rooted in the skills of their staff, and the knowledge their staff passes on to apprentices. For Hoffman Construction, Registered Apprenticeship:

Provides a robust training program to help build a future workforce
Is a lower-cost alternative to hiring entry-level staff
Offers apprentices the opportunity to discover a new career while getting paid, getting benefits, and learning on the job

Ready to lay the foundation for your Registered Apprenticeship program? Contact an Apprenticeship Business Representative at 971-235-6289 or ATDemail@boli.state.or.us.