When Cameron Allen first joined the TriHealth team at just 19 years old, he had never picked up a drill. His maintenance role at Bethesda Butler Hospital and McCullough-Hyde in Oxford started out as a big learning curve. “My family isn’t exactly handy. My dad’s a banker, my mom drives buses,” he laughs. “I didn’t grow up with this kind of work.”
But with a drive to learn and grow, Cam found himself quickly immersed in everything from fixing hospital beds to ensuring critical fire safety standards. “It’s something new every day,” he says. “One minute I’m hanging a whiteboard for a nurse, the next I’m changing temperatures in patient rooms or helping move furniture. It’s all hands-on.”
His journey into skilled trades education began almost by chance. During a visit to Butler Tech Adult Education, Cam discovered an opportunity through IMAP funding, a fully funded introduction to construction trades class. “Who doesn’t want free education?” he said. With only two other students in that course, Cam dove in. The program covered basics across electrical, HVAC, rigging, and general construction, giving him a broad foundation that immediately benefited his work.
But that was only the beginning. Seeing his dedication and potential, TriHealth stepped in to sponsor Cam’s next step, which was enrollment in Butler Tech’s evening HVAC/R program. “TriHealth has been 400% behind me on this,” Cam said. “They told me, if you’re willing to put in the work, we’ll support you.”
“At TriHealth, we believe that when our team members grow, our entire organization grows with them,” said David Atkinson, Senior Vice President and Chief People & Culture Officer at TriHealth. “By empowering our team members to pursue advanced training, we’re not only helping them achieve personal and professional fulfillment, but also reinforcing our culture of excellence and continuous improvement.”
He added, “Upskilling programs like the one Cameron is participating in are essential to maintaining the high standards of care and service that define TriHealth. Our facilities rely on skilled, knowledgeable professionals to ensure safe, efficient, and comfortable environments for patients and staff alike.”
To other employers, Atkinson offers this advice: “View workforce development not as a cost, but as a strategic investment in your organization’s future. Programs like tuition assistance and technical training are more than benefits—they’re expressions of trust and belief in our people.”
The timing couldn’t have been better for Cam. As a level two maintenance technician, he needed a trade certification to advance to level three and unlock new opportunities. HVAC made perfect sense. “So much of what we handle at the hospital is heating and air,” he explained. “Plus, with so many people from the current generation retiring, there’s huge demand for new talent in the trades.”
The experience at Butler Tech Adult Education has been exactly what Cam hoped for. “I love it. My instructor, Brad, works in HVAC during the day, so he’ll come to class with photos of jobs he’s done, real-world examples. It’s super hands-on,” Cam shared. He’s also formed friendships with classmates, many of whom he now spends time with outside of class, and credits the supportive staff at Butler Tech for helping him navigate everything from certifications to paperwork between the school and TriHealth’s HR.
Balancing full-time work with evening classes hasn’t been without sacrifice. “My days are basically 9 AM to 9:30 PM. It’s tough missing family dinners or outings,” he admitted. “But it’s a short-term sacrifice for a long-term payoff. Once I finish this, I’ll have that certification forever.”
Looking ahead, Cam already has plans beyond achieving level three. “Eventually, I’d like to move into controls or even management,” he said. “I’m only 22, but I want to keep pushing forward. I want to keep bettering myself.”
His story is a perfect example of how forward-thinking companies like TriHealth are investing in the growth of their employees—and how Butler Tech is helping make it happen. It’s a win-win: employees gain in-demand skills that open doors to long-term careers, while businesses strengthen their teams and retain top talent.
Want to see how Butler Tech can help upskill your team?
Let us show you how we can build customized training solutions to grow your business from within. Visit ButlerTech.org to learn more.