August | Greg Moreno | 5th Year Apprentice
“Before I entered the apprenticeship, I was an intern with Rosendin in a project management program. I was working at the Apple campus, and I’d see these electricians on the job site who were really happy and loving what they are doing. I wished I had that. I spoke with a lot of people who encouraged me to get into the apprenticeship, so I applied.
“I really enjoy the program; it’s more than I expected it to be. I thought electrical was just pipe, wires, outlets, and lights, but then I realized there was so much more to installing a building.
“I love working with the tools. I enjoy putting something up like a pipe rack or pipe run. You stand back and say, ‘wow.’ There’s just this sense of permanance that gives you a feeling of accomplishment. For me, my biggest goal on the job is to finish tasks as efficiently as possible and always stay busy. Even if there’s nothing to do, I’ll look at prints or sweep the floor. Having that work ethic makes the day go faster and makes the work more enjoyable.
“For younger apprentices, my advice is to always stay hungry and look to the journeymen or foremen for the next task. That’s what the brotherhood is about. Journeymen have taken me under their wing and treated me like a like a family member. And that’s what I hope to do for the next generation once I turn out.”
September | Adam Carr | 5th Year Apprentice
“Before the apprenticeship, I was a pitcher for the Washington Nationals. I was getting older and had a shoulder injury, so I needed to transition to something else. In the off-season, I worked with my older brothers as a nonunion electrician. In baseball, I was part of a strong union, so I knew that being a
part of the electrical union was they way to go. I also felt that
the union was the best way to provide for my family.
“As an electrician, you are constantly having to think and come up with solutions on the fly, which reminds me of baseball. I also like the upward mobility that comes with being a union electrician. The first is to turn out as a journeyman and learn as much as I can before passing on that knowledge to the younger generation. I’m looking forward to becoming a foreman or even a general foreman. I’ve been with Sprig Electric, and they’ve done a great job exposing me to different electrical task that have improved my skills. My plan is to stick with them after I turn out and see what the future holds.
“Overall, the apprenticeship has been unbelievable and beneficial to my future. So it’s a big honor to be acknowledged. My advice to younger apprentices is to keep working hard, have a good work ethic, and come in willing to learn and better yourself. All these things help you develop yourself to be a solid electrician.”
October | Ben Montoya | 5th Year Apprentice
“I worked at the Nummi plant and was a union member there. When it closed down, I got re-educated as an electrician. The union really supports your rights, provides a livable wage, and creates equality in the workplace to curtail favoritism. We’re here to help each other to produce high-quality products. It keeps us competitive to help retain us over the nonunion shops which are trying to take work from us.
“I like to build things with my hands and have that sense of accomplishment when you finish. I enjoy the troubleshooting and figuring things out. I come to work every day, keep a positive attitude, and do my best to build good quality products. When you see the end result, you can step back and say, ‘I built that.’ I’m blessed to do what I do, so it makes it easy to go to work every day.”
November | Ellie Hunt | 5th Year (2-Time Winner)
“I just try to show up every day and do my best. I ask a lot of questions, I’m willing to learn, and I always staying teachable. That’s my approach to the apprenticeship, and I carry that throughout my life. I’m confident in my work, but not cocky. The number one thing I tell younger apprentices just coming into the trades is to show up every day and do your best. It might sound like a cliché, but if you do that as much as you can, you get results.
“I’m turning out in June, and I like being well versed in as much as I can. I love almost all the work, and feeder cables and big conduits are my favorite. I am working for Rosendin on the Google Caribbean campus. I’m really enjoying them as a company and feel taken care of. They provide everything that’s needed, and the journeymen are really knowledgeable. I’m going to stick with them because they are such a well-rounded shop.”
December | Lilliana Martinez | 5th Year (3-Time Winner)
“I have a hunger to learn, and I try to ask questions at the job site, in class, and after class. If I’m stumped, I will search online or in the code book, and I won’t stop until I have the answer. If I’m presented with a task, I’m going to find a solution, and that’s that.
“I’m turning out in June, and it will be a bittersweet moment. I hope I know enough to share my knowledge. My advice to younger apprentices coming up is to A) Enjoy it! B) Really carve out time to look past the homework and the textbooks to understand our field. Soak it up! Five years come and go quickly.
And C) Make sure you are taking advantage of every learning opportunity in front of you.”
