This summer, several NECA contractors hosted internships for Oregon State University students.  Over the weeks, the interns supported project management staff while learning estimating, scheduling, how to process submittals, cost management, and construction oversight.  They worked with various individuals within the companies to learn the different aspects of their operations.

This year’s group was:

  • Jonathan Balcom with OEG
  • Zachery Holmes with OEG
  • Andy Hua with OEG
  • Carlie Stickler with OEG
  • Mitchell Baertlein with Rosendin
  • Kyle Coleman with Rosendin
  • Jake Rembolt with E.C.
  • Matt Rosa with E.C.
  • Michael Schumacher with E.C.

OSU students who participate in the NECA internships have very positive internship experiences and most usually pursue full-time employment with an electrical contractor after graduation.

interns

(Portland, Ore.) The National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker’s Electrical Training Center (NIETC) conducted their first State Approved Pre-apprenticeship program as part of a grant-funded opportunity through the national Electrical Training Alliance. The funding is part of the overall American Apprenticeshippre-apprentices-2 Initiative from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The program is focused on providing career opportunities to underrepresented populations, which includes women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

Pre-Apprentices in the program attended seven weeks of classroom and lab training, five days a week, for six hours a day. Upon completion of the classroom training, they worked as material handlers with a Training Agent for a minimum of two weeks for an on-the-job experience.

The program started on May 19 with 19 pre-apprentices enrolled, made up 10 women, some of who were minorities, 10 minorities, and three veterans. All 19 completed the program on July 25, with 18 moving on to transition into the apprenticeship. Eight have become Inside electrician apprentices and six have become Limited Residential Electrician apprentices, while the remaining four will become inside electrician apprentices upon successful completion of the applicant aptitude test.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better class,” said Bridget Quinn, the Workforce Development Coordinator at the Training Center. “The pre-apprentices were enthusiastic and diligent, despite the heavy course load and the fact that many were also working almost full-time jobs.”

NECA/IBEW Local 48 and the training center are featured in an article in this month’s Oregon Business Magazine.  You can see the story online here.

“A diverse workforce and a diverse leadership team is key to the success of the IBEW.” – Keith Edwards, Former Business Manager of Local 48 (and first ever African American IBEW Business Manager). Check out IBEW Hour Power’s video “Committed to Diversity.”

NECA/IBEW 48 is a proud sponsor of the inaugural Portland Winter Light Festival – February 3-6. It is an outdoor, community celebration illuminating the city with installations by premier light artists and designers. Hosted by OMSI, no tickets are needed for this event simply show up and enjoy the fun!

A group of young union members — part of IBEW Local 48’s Reach out and Energize Next-gen Electrical Workers, or RENEW—spent the last two months collecting warm clothes and blankets to give to the homeless. Check out this article from the Northwest Labor Press.

“Through the IBEW, I have friends and people I now consider as family.” The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ (IBEW) Helmets to Hardhats program helps military veterans get jobs in the construction industry. IBEW Local 48 and the NECA contractors are proud to offer state of the art training and real-life experience to our veterans. Read the full article or learn more at NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center.