For Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc., success has always been about more than completing projects. It’s about people.
From its earliest days, the Holliston-based electrical construction company has been committed to building state-of-the-art facilities across New England and the Southeastern United States while investing in the next generation of skilled professionals, building careers and creating opportunities.
That commitment is being recognized by Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), which has named Wayne J. Griffin Electric the recipient of the 2025 John Gould Education and Workforce Training Award. AIM will present the award as part of its Economic Outlook event on September 25 at Roxbury Community College.
A Company Built on Learning
Education has been at the heart of Griffin’s story for more than 45 years. The company’s apprenticeship program was designed to give young people a clear pathway into the trades—pairing classroom instruction with hands-on training. It also pairs technical skill with mentorship. Thousands of employees have walked that path, many of them growing into leaders who carry Griffin’s values into every project and community they touch.
But the company hasn’t stopped there. Griffin has partnered with institutions like Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston to help employees earn associate degrees and continue their professional journeys. Just this year, the company celebrated the third graduating class of Griffin employees who balanced work and study to earn Wentworth diplomas (degrees)—many with honors. These graduates embody the company’s belief that learning is lifelong, and that investing in people transforms not only individual careers, but entire industries.
The John Gould Education and Workforce Training Award was established in 1998 to recognize the contributions of individuals, employers, and institutions to the quality of public education and to the advancement, employability, and productivity of residents of the Commonwealth. In 2000, the award was named after the late John Gould, upon his retirement as President and CEO of AIM, to recognize his work to improve the quality of public education and workforce training in Massachusetts.
Commitment to Community
Wayne Griffin founded his company in 1978. The company now maintains regional offices in Alabama, North Carolina and Georgia in addition to the corporate headquarters in Holliston. Their recent work has ranged from a minor-league baseball stadium in Wilson, North Carolina to a six-story apartment building in Everett.
Griffin and his team understand that the trades are not just jobs but pathways to the American dream. Hospitals, schools, research labs, and cultural spaces all depend on skilled workers. By making training accessible, by covering tuition costs, and by fostering a culture of mentorship, Griffin Electric is ensuring that Massachusetts and beyond have the workforce they need to thrive.
“Wayne J. Griffin Electric is proof that when a company invests in people, it creates a ripple effect across the economy,” said Brooke Thomson, President and CEO of AIM. “Their long-standing commitment to education and workforce training has built stronger communities and opened doors for countless individuals.”
For Griffin Electric, this award is not just recognition of past accomplishments—it’s encouragement to keep doing what they’ve always done: lift people up, open doors, and prepare the next generation to lead.