Building Skills and Experience Through Freres’ Summer Internship Program

At Freres Engineered Wood, summer interns have become a familiar part of the season.

We know the next generation of employees will play an important role in the future of our company. Our internship program gives students the chance to gain real work experience, understand what it means to be part of a team, and build habits that will serve them throughout their careers.

This summer, Freres welcomed 17 interns across our plants and offices. Some returned after working with us last year, while others joined us for their first job experience.

No matter where they started, each intern has the opportunity to take on meaningful work and see how their contributions support the company as a whole.

Learning How the Work Fits Together

At Plant 3, interns help with landscaping, cleaning, and maintenance tasks. While that work may happen behind the scenes, it plays an important role in keeping the plant organized and running well.

Through these assignments, interns learn to follow procedures, work safely, and understand how everyday responsibilities can affect the people and operations around them.

Other interns work directly with the company’s two vice presidents, which gives them a closer look at sales and operations, as well as the knowledge and decision-making required to perform well in those areas. It also gives them the chance to ask questions and learn from people with years of industry experience.

Gaining Hands-On Experience

Several interns are spending the summer working in the Fabrication Shop and learning more about the work millwrights do.

Their responsibilities include supporting shop organization, inventory management, and workplace systems. The work gives them hands-on experience while also helping improve the shop’s efficiency and organization.

These assignments show interns that good work is about leaving the workplace better prepared for the people who come next.

Supporting the Office and HR Team

Freres also welcomed an office intern this summer.

Their work includes scanning and electronically filing documents, answering phones, and assisting with day-to-day office needs. As a recent human resources graduate, this intern also supports several HR projects, including updating job descriptions and improving I-9 recordkeeping.

This work gives them the opportunity to apply what they learned in school while gaining experience with the practical work that keeps an office and HR department moving.

Investing in the Next Generation

Our summer internship program supports students as they build skills, learn workplace expectations, and explore possible career paths.

It also helps Freres build relationships with young people who may one day return as full-time employees. Several of this year’s interns came back after working with us last summer, which speaks to the experience they had and the connections they made while they were here.

As our interns return to school, we are proud of what they accomplish and the growth we see throughout the summer. Their work makes a real difference across our plants and offices.

We look forward to welcoming back familiar faces, meeting new interns, and continuing to grow these opportunities in the years ahead.