Spring Apprentices of the Month

February | Matthew Baptista | 4th Year

”I used to be a a nonunion residential carpenter, but realized I wanted to be an electrician. Even though I probably could have gotten hours for my previous work, I wanted to start at the beginning to have the entire school. I’ve learned so much in the apprenticeship: it is what you make of it if you apply yourself. It’s nice to be a part of something that’s bigger than an individual and have a focused path of where I’m going.”

March | Transito Navarro | 4th Year

”Being an apprentice of the month means your hard work is paying off, and people are noticing. I really appreciate the teachers taking time out from their families to produce great journeymen. In school, you meet like-minded people who push to excel. Being in the union is great. I like the pride on the jobsite and on the freeway, you see the window stickers. It’s a brother- and sisterhood – and people look out for each other.”

 

April | Samuel Sanchez | 4th Year

”The new school is awesome. Everything is open and a lot bigger. I love the design – it’s totally modern. I really like the sense of how everyone is there to teach you. They don’t hold back on giving you useful info for your career, and they pour knowledge in to make good journeymen. The experiences I am getting now in the field are allowing me to see the different company cultures. Someday, I want to open my own shop.” 

May | Justin Self | 4th Year

“I like the scope of work we get to do as apprentices. You are always doing something different, from running conduit to pulling branch circuits to troubleshooting. That’s the fun part–when something doesn’t go according to plan, and you have to figure out what went wrong. We learn from some of the best electricians in the industry. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the union, the instructors, and their guidance.”

June | Ellie Hunt | 4th Year

“Being an apprentice is one of the best things that’s happened in my life. I worked nonunion for a couple years, and going through a proper apprenticeship has been killer. I love being in the union: It’s like night and day. I’m not afraid of losing my job, and I feel represented. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. With the IBEW, the whole world is our nutshell: you are well taken care of wherever you go throughout your life.”

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