¸ß±¬ÂÊÁú»¢¶·’s Google STAR program celebrated its fifth and largest cohort — 13 graduates — at a graduation ceremony at Sterling’s Cascades Celebration and Corporate Event Center on April 2. The Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) graduates, who could hardly contain their excitement, were joined by family, friends and Google and ¸ß±¬ÂÊÁú»¢¶· leaders who proudly shared in the moment.
Holder Construction’s Alec Mulgrave, who helps coordinate the Google STAR program, lauded the graduates’ commitment, telling them, “You joined with a passion to learn about construction and invest in yourselves.”
Graduate Amanda Morris, who spoke at the ceremony, shared how she’d been looking to get into construction when she signed up for a welding class at ¸ß±¬ÂÊÁú»¢¶·. Her instructor mentioned the Google STAR program. “I got in and was over the moon,” Morris said about her acceptance.
Launched in October 2023, this Google-funded, five-week paid training program prepares local talent in the electrical, carpentry, HVAC, welding and plumbing trades. The curriculum combines hands-on instruction and practice with visits to live construction sites to equip students for construction careers and generate a robust regional pipeline of skilled workers.
Steve Partridge, ¸ß±¬ÂÊÁú»¢¶·’s vice president of strategy, research and workforce innovation, told the Google STARs that construction is fueling not only the regional but also the national economy. Home to the world’s largest data center hub, Northern Virginia supports the data and internet needs of billions of users. “The [data center] industry alone needs 500,000 workers yearly for a decade,” Partridge shared.
Partridge also highlighted AI’s role in the Google STAR program: “Who would have thought when we talked about a construction program, we’d talk be talking about AI? We’re keeping your skills cutting-edge and relevant because this field powers both the American and the Northern Virginia economies. We’re thrilled you’ve joined us.”
Mallika Welsh, Google’s lead for data center construction in Virginia, said, “We’ve been building in Loudoun since 2017 — now in Leesburg, Sterling, Manassas and Gainesville, with more [sites] planned.”
After thanking the program partners, Welsh addressed the graduates. She congratulated them for working hard, taking a chance and stepping out of their comfort zone. Turning to the families and friends in the audience, she added, “Thank those around you that made it possible — we do it for them, for family. Thank you, families of the graduates, for supporting them!”
¸ß±¬ÂÊÁú»¢¶·’s Veronica “Ronni” Ortiz, Google STAR project manager, also addressed the students, saying, “Every day was fun — you all enjoyed the classes, the construction site visits, the trades and each other.” She noted, too, that while fun isn’t a typical job requirement, it can be a key ingredient in fostering enthusiasm for a job and an organization.
All 13 graduates of the fifth Google STAR cohort received job offers. In fact, all graduates to date have been offered positions after finishing the program.
Mekhi Johnson, a graduate of the previous cohort, attended the latest graduation ceremony to celebrate with the newly minted Google STARs. He credits the program with transforming his life — and believes it has the power to do the same for others. “I loved it,” Johnson said, adding that he is always making referrals to the program.
Now an electrician with JE Richards, Johnson is working on Google’s new data center in Sterling. He talks proudly about the progression from a dirt-covered lot to a real building in just a few months. Johnson’s smile says it all: he is thankful for the Google STAR program and this new chapter in his life.