2024 Impact Award, Hi-Tech Electric Company

Michigan Works! Southwest 2024 Impact Award Winner: Austin Edwards, Apprentice at Hi-Tech Electric Company

Watch MWSW’s 2024 Impact Award Video

Hi-Tech Electric Company is a premier local employer, with the company’s Project Executive, Brian O’Donnell, serving on the Michigan Works! Southwest Workforce Development Board and chairing the Advanced Information Technology Solutions Employer Led Consortium. As a champion for apprenticeship expansion, Hi-Tech Electric Company is a Going PRO Talent Fund recipient and a partner in the State Apprenticeship Expansion 2020 grant.

O’Donnell shared, “Implementing an apprenticeship training program at Hi-Tech Electric Company yields multifaceted benefits from enhancing workforce proficiency, adaptability, and retention. By nurturing aspiring electricians through hands-on experience and mentorship, the company cultivates a skilled labor force adept at navigating complex technical challenges.”

The program fosters a culture of continuous learning, promoting innovation and knowledge exchange within the organization. Beyond operational advantages, investing in apprenticeships has fostered community goodwill and contributed to addressing skill shortages in the industry, positioning Hi-Tech as a leader in talent development and sustainability.

Austin Edwards, an employee of Hi-Tech Electric Company, started working in the electrical field in March 2020, with no prior electrical trade experience. To expand his knowledge, he began his classroom experience by enrolling in classes at a local community college. Shortly after, Austin joined Hi-Tech Electric Company where he was registered into an apprenticeship training program to further advance his career. Through his apprenticeship experience thus far, Austin has a new appreciation for the electrical trade and always looks forward to work and class.

“I appreciate how the course is laid out for us and we know exactly what is expected of us to move forward,” Austin said. “Working in this industry has shown me so much about the trade, and I can actually apply my work experience in the classroom.”

John Moden, Service Manager at Hi-Tech Electric, shares, “Austin has grown professionally and, through his employment, is able to further his training in a more structured setting offered by the joint apprenticeship training committee. Austin has made tremendous strides in all aspects of his development. I am very proud of Austin and the work put in to get to this point. The apprenticeship program and good mentorship in the field is vital to creating excellence in our industry.”

Michigan Works! Southwest extends congratulations to Austin Edwards on his accomplishments as a youth apprentices and Hi-Tech Electric Company for their dedication to preparing, empowering, and transforming the local workforce through advancing information technology in Southwest Michigan!

About the Michigan Works! Impact Awards:

Impact Awards honor those who have contributed to strengthening Michigan’s economy by actively creating jobs and developing fresh talent in their communities. This award ceremony is a unique, highly publicized event that celebrates the economic impact of newly created jobs, transformational training and effective talent pipeline development within our communities. During the event, state legislators present tributes to award winners, who tell their story and the role Michigan Works! played in their success.