M.L. Schmitt Inc., an established electrical contractor serving Western Massachusetts for a century, has consistently prioritized quality, innovation, and a strong commitment to its workforce. In FY24, the company took a significant step forward by securing a General Program training grant from the Programa del Fondo de Capacitación de la Fuerza Laboral, allowing them to partner with ICG Industrialized Construction to provide Lean Fundamentals Training to their employees.
The Lean training, led by ICG Industrialized Construction, focused on improving project management, streamlining material movement, and enhancing safety protocols. Employees participated in full-day sessions where they learned about the Five Principles of Lean and strategies to increase productivity on construction sites. “This training has helped us be a more effective team,” Peter explains. “We’re really trying to bring construction into the modern world, and that is what we are hoping to accomplish. The market is strong, and there’s a lot of work, but efficiency is key.”
One of the key sites where these new skills were put to the test is the historic Goodell Hall at UMass Amherst. M.L. Schmitt is working on renovating this building by updating its fire alarm system, power, and special systems while preserving its historical integrity. “This was really tough to do Lean on because it’s a moving target,” says Mark Trembly, Foreman at M.L. Schmitt “But we were able to identify issues, get ahead, and it honestly benefited our trade. With this training, we’ve been able to implement changes right off the bat—like thinking about where we place equipment for access, having materials closer to the door, and putting everything on wheels. Every little thing is handy.”
Mark adds that the training has also fostered better communication and efficiency throughout the company. “We found ways to better plan and communicate,” he notes. “Having support from the office to the site has been a big help. This training has helped us see where we’re losing time and money and find better ways to communicate. It also supports us in understanding how to better help our workers physically.”
Craig Amelisko, Project Manager at M.L. Schmitt, further highlights the broader impact of the training: “This opens your eyes to areas where you can be more efficient. This funding has done good for our workers, our offices, our job sites—we want to keep going with it, and we are very happy.”
Since the start of the grant in FY24, M.L. Schmitt has increased its full-time workforce from 52 to 123 employees, reflecting a substantial impact on the local economy. “Over the course of this year, we’ve increased our number of employees significantly,” Peter notes. “We’re able to be aggressive with our pricing, and we’re winning more work because of our well-trained, efficient staff. The Workforce Training Fund General Grant program has been instrumental in helping us build a workforce that’s skilled and capable of driving our company forward.”
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