Milwaukee Tools Apprentice of The Month - Emily Day
A Union prides itself on how well its members can stick together through thick and thin. At myriad meetings throughout the country, hats are passed for tragedy, phones are called for commiseration, and local committees exist as a way for people to support members who have other things in common.
For LU 340, one its strongest groups is the Women’s Committee, an organization that prides itself on furthering the cause of women in the electrical trade and also a place where women can discuss the events of the day and address issues on their jobsites. An apprentice who has been in and around the goings on of the Women’s Committee is Emily Day, a fifth-year who has been active with reaching out to her fellow female workers and who has herself been a boon for them in kind.
“Women in blue collar roles are a little tougher sometimes,” says Emily about when she was on a crew comprised entirely of women, a rarity in any part of the country. “The Women’s Committee is a wonderful group of people. We interact not just on the job but also socially. Last year myself and some of the other members went through some family tragedies, and I found this committee to be a positive place where women can come together and support one another.”
Emily is known for being inquisitive about her career and as a fifth-year nearing graduation she is sure to make sure she asks questions about everything.
“This whole thing has been such a life changing experience,” says Emily. “The teaching style and learning style this program uses is so incredibly good. I really enjoy the instructors and their role in our education. In my opinion, it’s better than the bachelor’s degree I got from a four-year college.”
“She’s tougher than nails,” says Michelle Stoffel, Emily’s former journeyman and vice president of the Women’s Committee. “She knows how to pick herself up, dust herself off, and get back to it. She’s super quick to learn and ask questions, too.”
When asked if Emily has advice for younger apprentices, she couldn’t be more blunt: “Don’t procrastinate on your homework,” says Emily. “Don’t let second year bog you down with all the theory, but make sure you pay attention. A lot of journeymen scoff at the education we receive but we become so much more valuable when we are educated.”
For her hard work, Emily will receive a PACKOUT bag and hand tool from Milwaukee Tools and congratulations from all the staff at the Sacramento JATC.