For 11 high school students, summer break looked a little different this year. Instead of clocking out, they clocked in — spending six weeks on active construction sites as part of the Career Connections Summer Internship Program. On July 23, HCATF hosted a certificate ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments and mark the program’s seventh year of connecting students with real-world jobsite experience.
Since its inaugural year, the program has grown from a small pilot into a cornerstone of workforce development, bridging classroom learning with hands-on experience. This year’s interns represented 14 public high schools and worked on real construction projects with industry partners like Swinerton Builders, Albert C. Kobayashi, Shioi Construction, Edwards & Sands, Group Builders, and Bruce Matson.
“This program has been incredibly successful,” said HCATF Executive Director Edmund Aczon. “We’re providing young people the opportunity to explore construction careers in a way they couldn’t before this program. And our contractors have also benefited tremendously from this also – many have hired the students directly after the internship or after they complete high school. It’s truly been a win-win all around.”
The internship pairs 40 hours of preparatory safety training — including OSHA 10 and First Aid/CPR — with a six-week field placement. From the Kaʻlai Tower on Oahu to Koloa Village on Kauai, interns gained firsthand insight into the fast-paced, team-oriented world of the trades.
Contractors praised the students’ growth and determination. “The best part was watching them come to work for the first time and working alongside new people — seeing their confidence grow every day,” one shared.
Students echoed that impact. All participants reported they were more likely to pursue a career in the trades. One noted, “This was the best experience I’ve ever had — I don’t regret giving up my summer for it.”
Among this year’s highlights: five interns were inducted into the HCATF apprenticeship program and are now officially working in the field. These include Genesis Gonsalves and Keoni Malloe (Swinerton Builders), Makana Evangelista (Group Builders), and Alexandre Tumacder and Fred Guillermo (Albert C. Kobayashi).
“Every day, I get to build something new — and I know it means something,” Gonsalves reflected.
Career Connections continues to introduce contractors to promising young talent — and helps future apprentices get a taste of what’s possible. The program doesn’t just introduce the trades; it helps bring them to life. Contractors play a key role in shaping that vision — offering mentorship, encouragement, and a first glimpse into the camaraderie and pride that defines the industry.
“We’re seeing real interest, and real results,” said Robert “Kapuni” Patcho, HCATF Training Coordinator. “Some of the students from our very first cohort are now on track to graduate as apprentices. It’s great to see how far they’ve come and where this program can take them.”
With strong support from school partners, journeyworker mentors, and committed contractors, Career Connections proves what’s possible when opportunity and preparation meet.
As Patcho put it, “This program doesn’t just launch careers — it builds futures.”
