University News

January 10, 2024 | Mike Enright '88 (CLAS), University Communications

Work-Based Learning Programs Are the Future of Facilities Operations

The job market in the trades is extremely competitive right now and the work-based learning programs give UConn a jump on candidates

UConn Facilities Operations employee Jared Gauthier poses for a photo outside the Facilities Operations building

UConn Facilities Operations employee Jared Gauthier poses for a photo outside the Facilities Operations building on Jan. 2, 2024. Gauthier recently completed the department's apprenticeship program before taking on a full-time role in public works. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

Jared Gauthier is yet another success story of the work-based learning programs that are sponsored by Facilities Operations at the University of Connecticut.  

Gauthier, now a skilled trades apprentice (utilities) within the Public Works Shop for the Facilities Operations Department, started working at UConn in 2022 when he was a senior at Ellis Technical High School, located in Danielson. 

“I was at UConn for two weeks at a time during my senior year when it was time for my shop program,” says Gauthier. “I would return to Ellis to take classes for two weeks. It was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone. A lot of my younger classmates from high school are asking me about it now.” 

Following graduation, Gauthier was hired full-time at UConn as an apprentice. In that position, he does masonry work, cuts concrete and does paving. He did his work-based learning program in plumbing and decided to switch. 

“Every day is different here and that’s what I love about it,” says Gauthier. “The other employees here are very open to let you learn. They are not judgmental at all and are very patient. 

“I didn’t know a lot about UConn growing up, but one day a high school guidance counselor talked to us about the opportunity to come work here. I didn’t really have an understanding of it at first, but I applied and it worked out.” 

The job market in the trades is extremely competitive right now, and the work-based learning programs give UConn a jump on candidates. UConn has a pair of work-based learning programs, one of which brings in students from around the state’s technical high schools, and another which employs UConn students. The goal of each program is to develop future UConn employees and also the workforce for businesses across Connecticut. 

“The work-based learning programs are the future of Facilities Operations,” says Associate Director of Trade Services Michael Gorman, who has been at UConn for more than 25 years. Gorman helped start the program 10 years ago, and the programs now have about 30 UConn and high school students from Ellis, Windham Tech, and Norwich Tech. UConn Health has also started working with students from Prince Tech in Hartford. 

“Jared has a great attitude and loves what he is doing in public works,” says Gorman. 

Gauthier, who grew up in Griswold, grew up working heavy equipment such as loaders and excavators.  

“I want to set myself up for a great future as I get older,” says Gauthier “UConn is such a nice place to work with its beautiful campus.” 

Gauthier’s work ethic and attitude caught the attention of Trade Service Manager Wesley Ayers right from his first days on campus. 

“Jared doesn’t wait to be taught, he asks to learn,” says Ayers. “He goes above and beyond what we ask him to do and he always wants to know more and more. We didn’t want to lose him after he graduated from high school. He has really taken off with this opportunity.”