Mentorship Academy Students Discover New Industry Skills and Passions at Local 66

In today’s episode, The Path Forward hosts visit Operating Engineers Local 66 training site for a day of education and excavators with the Mentorship Academy! The young men and women engaged with regional industry professionals, watched heavy machinery operations and learned about opportunities at Local 66.

Local 66 training site instructor Holly guided students throughout the day, providing industry insight, innovation and inspiration particularly catered to the young women in attendance. The longtime union member shared her career journey as a motivating reminder for the mentees to pursue their passions.

“Don’t be discouraged because you are a woman,” said Holly. “As long as you have a great mindset and a positive attitude, you can go anywhere.”

Women are underrepresented in this male-dominated field. However, the Mentorship Academy is working to change that by promoting regional industry careers as an opportunity for all. This commitment starts at the top, where CNX CEO Nick DeIuliis emphasizes industry hiring trends and the push for a more diverse workforce.

“The Mentorship Academy will put 25-30 potential female professionals in those seats where operating engineers, like Local 66, show them an overview of what a [regional industry] career would look like,” said DeIuliis.