For third-year millwright apprentice Kaylee Everd, a self-described lifelong learner who loves to “dabble in just about everything,” being a millwright is the perfect professional fit. Kaylee, who has ADHD, previously worked in a variety of fields, including plumbing and pipefitting, as well as in a prison. She was initially drawn to the trade by her brother-in-law, a union millwright who encouraged her to consider the apprenticeship program.
Kaylee hasn’t looked back since, calling it “probably the best decision I have ever made.” The career’s variety is a major draw for her. “There’s something different you’re going to do every day,” she says, a quality she finds particularly appealing. So far, her work has taken her to Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, with jobs in diverse settings like battery plants, power plants, and FedEx facilities. She’s gained experience in aligning equipment, setting steel, and installing machinery.
Kaylee’s success highlights how the millwright profession benefits people with diverse learning styles. The ever-changing nature of the work—moving from one job site to the next and tackling different tasks—is a natural match for individuals with ADHD who thrive on variety. The apprenticeship program’s blend of hands-on and classroom learning ensures the material sticks.
The instructors, who are knowledgeable and helpful, teach the material in a variety of learning styles, making the curriculum accessible to everyone.
As she looks to the future, Kaylee plans to journey out and move up the ranks, taking advantage of the opportunity to travel and try different types of projects and industries. When she’s not on the job, Kaylee loves to explore the outdoors with her three dogs.