Unique Metal Works and MJ Daly host transformative camps to inspire the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
Pawtucket, RI — Arden Building Companies is proud to announce the successful completion of two Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) camps this July, hosted by its subsidiaries Unique Metal Works (UMW) in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and MJ Daly in Waterbury, Connecticut. These immersive, hands-on programs are part of a national initiative to introduce high school students and recent graduates to careers in the skilled trades.
Unique Metal Works marked a major milestone by hosting its second annual HMSE camp, building on the success of its inaugural program in 2024. Eight students participated in over 24 hours of hands-on instruction in sheet metal, plumbing, pipefitting, and welding. Under the mentorship of UMW’s union tradespeople, students completed projects such as a soldered “Pipe Man” sculpture, a welded metal star, and a custom-fabricated toolbox. The camp concluded with a graduation ceremony on July 24, featuring remarks from Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and UMW President Norman Brothers, who emphasized the enduring value of skilled trades in today’s evolving workforce. Read more about the Unique Metal Works camp here.
Meanwhile, MJ Daly proudly hosted Connecticut’s first-ever HMSE camp, welcoming four participants for a three-week introduction to mechanical contracting. Students explored welding, copper and plastic piping, and sheet metal work, gaining foundational skills and career insight. “We’re just trying to open their eyes to the opportunities available,” said Ed Carvalho, President of MJ Daly. The camp wrapped up with a graduation ceremony on July 25, attended by sponsors including the Mechanical Contractors Association of Connecticut and DEWALT Tools. Read more about the MJ Daly camp here.
“We owe our success at Arden Building Companies to the men and women who work in the field and in the trades, and their training is essential to everything we accomplish,” said Robert M. Bolton, CEO of Arden Building Companies. “Without the skilled trades and the opportunities created through programs like this, we simply couldn’t deliver our projects. That’s why it’s so important for companies like ours to actively support these workforce development initiatives today, to ensure we have the talent we need to build the future.”
Both camps combined hands-on training with classroom-style sessions covering union pathways, jobsite safety, and blueprint reading. These experiences not only built technical skills but also helped students envision a future in the trades. The impact is already visible—Olive Chouinard, a graduate of UMW’s 2024 camp, is now a full-time member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 17.
With the construction industry facing a nationwide shortage of over 500,000 skilled workers, Arden Building Companies is proud to support initiatives like HMSE that offer students real-world experience and direct connections to employers.
To learn more about the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, visit www.hmse.org.
About Arden Building Companies
Arden Building Companies is the parent company of Arden Engineering Constructors, Corporate Mechanical of New England, Earthwise Energy Technologies, MJ Daly, and Unique Metal Works. As a leading sole-source provider of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection building systems throughout New England, Arden delivers complex projects with integrity and a commitment to cost and schedule control. With five office locations across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, Arden employs over 650 office and union craft personnel. Learn more at www.ardenbuildingcompanies.com.