11 trade interns are celebrated at graduation event for completing the 10-week training program in utilities’ front-line workforce.
28 graduates have completed the program since 2023
Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, today announced the graduation celebration of eleven students from the UI (United Illuminating) and SCG (Southern Connecticut Gas) Trade Internship Program. As part of this celebration, UI leaders Christine Pariseau and Moses Rams were recognized by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont with a Governor’s Proclamation for their leadership in the Trade Internship Program. Pariseau, Senior Director of Electric Operations, and Rams, Chief Line Crew Leader at UI and President of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 470-1, run the internship program designed to introduce high school and community college students to in-demand union careers in the energy and utility sectors. The Proclamations were presented to Pariseau and Rams on August 20 in Trumbull during the graduation ceremony for the 11 students that completed this year’s program.
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Pictured: Celebration of graduates from Trade Internship Program
“Building pathways to meaningful and empowering careers in the utility sector is critical for the future of our nation’s energy infrastructure,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. “The achievements of our graduates are a testament to the dedication of our leaders and student mentors, Christine Pariseau and Moses Rams, whose work is transforming our communities. We are incredibly proud of this year’s graduates of our Trade Internship Program for reaching this important milestone and happily welcome you into the growing community of energy professionals.”
In March 2025, Avangrid announced its plan to invest $20 billion in U.S. electrical grid infrastructure through the end of the decade. The plan reflects the critical need to invest in energy infrastructure to meet growing demand, as well as the United States’ position as a top investment priority for Avangrid and Iberdrola.
The Trade Internship Union Scholars Program launched in 2023 as a partnership of Avangrid, UI, and the Utility Workers Union of America 470-1. It provides a 10-week, hands-on paid internship to students enrolled in local trade high schools and Housatonic Community College interested in the field of electric linework. Thirteen former trade interns have been hired full-time by UI and Avangrid as Rotational Utility Workers from 2023 to 2025. Each year, the program has expanded as other Avangrid utilities follow UI’s example, including Connecticut Natural Gas, Southern Connecticut Gas, and Central Maine Power.
The recognition from Governor Lamont acknowledges Christine and Moses’ commitment to Connecticut’s youth, the linesman profession, and UI’s customers. Exposure to electric lineworking and other opportunities for front-line union professions in utility companies teaches students the possibilities that provide life-long career stability and financial freedom.
“Through the trade internship program, our students go through rigorous and regimented training, and it is a true accomplishment to be a graduate,” said Christine Pariseau. “I am committed to showing our youth all of the possibilities available to them and equipping them with valuable skills as they start to think about their future careers.”
“I am proud of the students graduating today and look forward to seeing where this training takes them in the future,” said Moses Rams. “This program exposes the students to the gratification of hard work and the impact you can have on the community. This is an incredibly rewarding career, and I am excited for the opportunities to come for these graduates.”
About SCG: The Southern Connecticut Gas Company (SCG) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1847, SCG operates approximately 2,500 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines, serving approximately 206,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. For more information, visit www.soconngas.com.
About UI: The United Illuminating Company (UI) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1899, UI operates approximately 3,600 miles of electric distribution lines and 138 miles of transmission lines. It serves approximately 341,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. UI received the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Recovery Award in 2019 and 2021. For more information, visit www.uinet.com.
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading energy company in the United States working to meet the growing demand for energy for homes and businesses across the nation through service, innovation, and continued investments by expanding grid infrastructure and energy generation projects. Avangrid has offices in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Oregon, including operations in 23 states with approximately $48 billion in assets, and has two primary lines of business: networks and power. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. Through its power generation business, Avangrid owns and operates more than 75 energy generation facilities across the United States producing 10.5 GW of power for over 3.1 million customers. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens in 2025 for the fifth consecutive year. The company was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2025 for the seventh consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit http://www.avangrid.com.
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Contacts
Media Contact:
Florencia Feleder
florencia.feleder@avangrid.com
838-292-6869