Billerica, MA Six apprentices from Interstate Electrical Services graduated from the Gould Construction Institute Apprenticeship Program on May 18. The graduation ceremony took place at the Gould Construction Institute.

The four-year program prepares apprentices to take the exam for the Massachusetts Journeyman License and for a career in the electrical industry.

James Alibrandi, president of Interstate, said that many of the company’s senior executives began as apprentices. “We are very proud of our graduating apprentices for completing this challenging program and taking this very important step in their professional careers. A shortage of licensed electricians in New England combined with a booming construction industry make the electrical trade very attractive to people with the right commitment. For students right out of high school to people who are mid-career, apprenticeship programs are one of the best-kept secrets in education.” 

Over the past two decades, over 200 Interstate apprentices have graduated from the Gould program, which provides students with a combination of classroom education and on-the-job training. As employees of Interstate, apprentices receive a full-time salary, health care and other benefits while taking classes two nights a week at no cost to the apprentices.

Barbara Lagergren, president of the Gould Construction Institute, said that on-the-job training is a critical part of the apprentice program. “They are taking what they learn at night, and making it work during the day. How many other industries do that today?”

Interstate graduating apprentice Dmytro Karamanesht, 29, agrees that the guidance provided by senior electricians is invaluable. “You have someone who teaches you the hands-on application of a theory you get from class,” said Karamanesht.

Interstate employees from a wide variety of backgrounds have graduated from Gould Construction Institute, which is named after the late George Gould, who served as president of Interstate and started as an apprentice himself.

Matthew Mosscrop, 44, a husband and father, switched careers to join the program. “After working in an office for ten years I’d had enough,” said Mosscrop, who is now preparing for the exam - and grateful for the study support that Interstate also provides.