At Helm, supporting the future of the industry means helping students better understand the opportunities available within mechanical construction.

That commitment is reflected through Helm’s continued involvement in the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and its Career Development Committee, which gives college students practical exposure to the work, responsibilities, and career paths within the industry. That involvement contines to grow, with Helm employee Ali Ritvo recently joining the committee.

Andrew Palcan, Project Manager at Helm and Chair of the MCAA Career Development Committee, plays an active role in the student experience throughout the year which includes annual events like the GreatFutures Forum and the MCAA Annual Convention. Since graduating, Andrew has remained involved with the Career Development Committee and has served as Chair for the past five years, helping support student chapter programs across North America designed to connect students with the mechanical construction industry and the people who work in it every day.

As Chair of MCAA’s Career Development Committee, Andrew works closely alongside Michele Hoffman, MCAA’s Director of Career Development, to help create meaningful opportunities for students exploring careers in mechanical construction. Together, their work supports student connections with mechanical contractors, access to industry-specific education, more than $100,000 in scholarships, and participation in the annual Student Chapter Competition. For Andrew, that involvement has come full circle — his own connection to MCAA began as a student chapter member, when he first experienced many of the same opportunities now helping shape the next generation.

The committee places a strong emphasis on helping students connect with MCAA members for employment by offering networking opportunities at national events, working with local associations and contractors to help improve their presence on campus, and providing industry knowledge to build excitement around careers in mechanical construction. As a student, Andrew connected with Helm at an MCAA career fair during the annual convention. A decade later, he is now helping facilitate those same connections for today’s students.

With the support of MCAA members and the John R. Gentille Foundation, Andrew and the committee help recognize and support students from across North America through scholarships awarded annually at the MCAA Convention. Having been a scholarship recipient himself as a student, Andrew has seen the program expand significantly during his time on the committee allowing more students than ever to benefit from that support as they begin their careers.

The Career Development Committee is focused on exposing current students to the benefits of the industry as it relates to both their personal and professional lives. One way this is accomplished is through the hosting of the annual Student Chapter Competition which challenges teams to take on the role of a mechanical contractor while working through responsibilities such as estimating, scheduling, planning, safety, and presentation development. For many students, it provides an early look at the range of opportunities available in the industry.

“The people I met and the experiences I had as student are what brought me to this industry to begin with. Being able to pay it forward to the next generation of students by helping them make connections and learn about this industry the same way I did all while getting opportunities to grow myself professionally has been more meaningful to me than just about anything else I’ve done in my career so far.” said Palcan.

Mechanical construction offers a wide range of career paths, from project management and operations to engineering, VDC, estimating, and field leadership. However, many students are not fully exposed to those opportunities until they experience the work more directly whether it is through MCAA offerings or internships while in school.

By supporting Andrew’s involvement with the Career Development Committee, and growing Helm’s presence through team members like Ritvo, Helm continues to invest in the future of the industry and help create stronger pathways for the next generation of talent.