Long-term staffing can be challenging for small family-owned Idaho businesses. Finding and hiring talent can also be a costly burden in a tight labor market. A fully trained candidate expects higher wages, and the cost to train a job candidate can be expensive.
Some Idaho businesses are turning to the Idaho Registered Apprenticeship program to train their children and keep the business in the family.
Aspen Air Design – Malad
Aspen Air Design has been in the HVAC business since 2008 and has locations in Idaho (Rexburg and Malad) as well as Utah.
As owner Virginia Edlefsen experienced hiring challenges, she noticed her 16-year-old grandson Leonardo Dirilo took interest in her business and decided to give him some valuable work experience as a Registered Apprentice.
“He’s handy with tools and he’s very mechanically inclined and likes to be working,” she said. “He likes to work, and the labor of it. He’s quite talented at building metal and putting things together. He’s a quick learner.”
Leonardo Dirilo installing an HVAC system.
Anyone in Idaho between the ages of 16 and 17 can participate in a youth apprenticeship program according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In this case, Dirilo is using this opportunity as a steppingstone into the workforce.
Dirilo plans to become a journeyman when he turns 20 or 21 and believes the skills he is learning will help him in whatever career path he chooses – especially construction.
His grandmother said she would like to see him take over the business someday, but it’s ultimately his choice and she will support him fully.
“He is quite a valuable asset. There is a shortage in the trades of people who are willing and capable of taking on jobs like HVAC,” Edlefsen said.
Edlefsen had nothing but good things to say about the apprenticeship program and how it helps trade industries thrive. She said it gives businesses valuable information and helps employers stay in business.
She shared how working with Apprenticeship Idaho has been beneficial. Together, they worked with a local high school to inform students of the opportunities available to them.
“It has been nothing but a positive experience,” Edlefsen said. “We haven’t had trouble. We ask questions – they have ideas.”
Rossiter Electric Motor – Idaho Falls
Rossiter Electric Motors in Idaho Falls was built from the ground up 50 years ago and owner Robert Boozer doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon. However, having his daughter in the business with him means the world to him.
Robert’s business has been an employer sponsor with Apprenticeship Idaho for decades. He decided to give his daughter even more experience by creating a Registered Apprenticeship program for her.
“My children have always had jobs in the company since they were old enough to walk. Christine Boozer, my daughter, is an apprentice, and took a special interest in the repair side,” Robert said.
Rossiter Electric repairs major brand welders, generators and air compressors, and offers motor rewinding and more.
Robert said since the time his daughter Christine was little, she had the skills to solve problems and puzzles. This in turn has made her very valuable in his business.
“Her brain hasn’t taken the shortest route to solve a problem since she was little,” he said. “Instead, it takes its own route and eventually gets to where it needs to be. In repairing an item, you need to take the engine apart piece by piece even to the point of labeling each part as number one or number two for the piece to be removed….and so forth. A repairman fixes the internal problem then starts to reassemble the engine. This concept worked in Christine’s favor.”
Robert Boozer stands with his daughter, Christine Boozer, as they show off her certificate of completion from the apprenticeship program.
Today, Christine is a journey worker and is mentoring another apprentice at her father’s business through the Idaho Department of Labor youth employment program. According to her father, she loves this stage of her career and finds it incredibly rewarding.
Overall, Robert says he is glad she participated in the program. As a journey worker himself, he went through the apprenticeship process years ago and the program has a special spot in his life.
“The apprenticeship process was easy,” Robert said. “I just needed to inform the Apprenticeship Idaho team what I wanted and explain the on-the-job training I wanted to provide.”
Trade Masters Construction – Boise
For business owner Kelton Tackett, creating a Registered Apprenticeship for his son Logan was an easy decision. Kelton said Logan started helping out at the family business at a young age and is now involved in the Registered Apprenticeship program.
“I work on everything from digging, excavation, staging materials, to drilling holes, concrete cutting and sawing. I also install piping,” Logan said.
Trade Masters Construction specializes in plumbing, heating and mechanical services. Logan is in his fourth year as a plumbing apprentice and will start his HVAC apprenticeship next year. Before this endeavor, Logan even started his written apprenticeship training in high school through the Dennis Technical Education Center (DTEC).
Kelton feels a lot of pride watching his son learn and grow in the trades. Working with his son is also a plus. Maybe his son will take over the business someday, but for now, it’s a great learning opportunity for him.
Logan Tackett working at the job site.
“We just enjoy being able to build a family-oriented business that treats people fair, and grows everyone’s potential to the highest limits,” Kelton said.
As far as Registered Apprenticeships go, Kelton recommends the program to other businesses since it’s a great way to ensure future generations receive proper training, support and education to excel in their field of choice.
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The Idaho Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship program is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Labor as part of Employment and Training Administration grants totaling $5,581,491.
Lindsay Trombly, Public Information Specialist
Idaho Department of Labor