Two subsidiaries, two successful camps, and 19 students introduced to rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island — Arden Building Companies recently concluded another successful summer of workforce development through the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE), a national nonprofit program that introduces high school students and recent graduates to careers in the skilled trades. This summer, two Arden subsidiaries, Unique Metal Works in Rhode Island and MJ Daly in Connecticut, hosted HMSE programs, providing a combined 19 students with hands-on exposure to the construction industry and the rewarding careers it offers.
Founded in 2021 to address the growing skilled labor shortage, HMSE has quickly become one of the country’s leading construction career exploration programs. Supported by industry organizations, manufacturers, and local mechanical contractors, the program provides students with free access to hands-on training, mentorship, and career exploration while helping employers build awareness of the many opportunities available in the trades.
Unique Metal Works hosted its largest cohort to date, welcoming 12 students for an immersive three-week experience at the company’s fabrication facility in Pawtucket. Throughout the program, students completed more than 24 hours of hands-on instruction in sheet metal fabrication, plumbing, pipefitting, and welding under the guidance of experienced union craftspeople who volunteered their time. Participants built individual projects, collaborated on fabrication exercises, and learned about safety, union apprenticeship pathways, and how digital plans become real-world construction projects.
Meanwhile, MJ Daly proudly hosted its second consecutive Heavy Metal Summer Experience in Connecticut. Seven students completed the program, gaining firsthand experience working alongside skilled professionals while exploring careers in HVAC, plumbing, pipefitting, and mechanical construction. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural program, the Connecticut camp continues to strengthen Arden’s commitment to developing the future workforce across the region.
Together, the two programs reflect Arden Building Companies’ long-term investment in workforce development and its belief that exposing students to the skilled trades at an early age creates meaningful opportunities for both young people and the industry as a whole.
“The skilled trades offer meaningful, rewarding careers that are essential to our economy and infrastructure,” said Robert M. Bolton, CEO of Arden Building Companies. “Programs like Heavy Metal Summer Experience allow students to discover careers they may never have considered while gaining practical experience, industry connections, and confidence. Investing in the next generation isn’t just good for our companies, it’s essential for the future of our industry.”
The impact of the program extends well beyond the summer. At Unique Metal Works, two former HMSE participants are now full-time employees, including Olive Chouinard who attended the camp in 2024 and is now a full-time Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 apprentice working for the company. Stories like Olive’s demonstrate how early exposure and mentorship can create lasting career opportunities and help address the growing demand for skilled professionals.
Across the construction industry, workforce shortages continue to present one of the greatest challenges facing employers. Programs like HMSE play an important role in helping students understand that the skilled trades offer stable, high-paying careers, opportunities for continued growth, and pathways that do not require a traditional four-year college degree. By introducing students to experienced mentors, modern fabrication technology, and real job-site skills, Arden Building Companies is helping build the next generation of construction professionals while strengthening the communities it serves.
As participation continues to grow, Arden Building Companies remains committed to expanding educational partnerships and career exploration opportunities throughout New England, ensuring more students have the chance to discover fulfilling careers in the skilled trades.
About Arden Building Companies
As the parent company for Arden Engineering Constructors, Corporate Mechanical of New England, Earthwise Energy Technologies, MJ Daly, and Unique Metal Works, Arden Building Companies is a leading sole-source provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing building systems throughout New England. Offering the full slate of services– from engineering and building automation controls to sheet metal fabrication, our clients entrust us to deliver complex projects with integrity and an adherence to cost and schedule control. With five locations throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, Arden Building Companies employs over 650 office and union craft personnel. For more information, visit www.ardenbuildingcompanies.com
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