For some electricians, nothing beats having to only explain things once. On top of that, having the reliability of a high-delivering apprentice who works well in concert with you and who also has a great attitude to match is quite the double threat. So it is with Nick Sanchez, September’s Apprentice of the Month.

Becoming a Union electrician is about quite a bit more than pulling conductors into conduit and installing receptacles. It involves a sea change in how you view your work life, an intense journey of learning the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a professional in our field, and a dedication to your brothers and sisters that proves why organized labor is one of the most vital heartbeats of American life.

Many apprentices come into our fold with little to no experience—which is not to say they lack talent, but without knowledge or skills frontloaded. This of course is by design in many aspects.

No matter the circumstance, apprentices have just as much a voice as a journeyman. Union meetings are one of the most sacred places for our members and it is in our hall that we have the chance to hear from leadership and to make our own voices heard at the microphone.

Every year, the fifth-year apprentices gather on a Saturday for a comprehensive, labor-intensive, cumulative assessment. The day-long endeavor is comprised of different tests that span the entire apprenticeship from motor control to 3-way switching to advanced conduit bending.

It’s not easy being a first year. All of a sudden you are thrown from whatever job you had before you were indentured into a construction career that you’re told is going to change your life and offer you all the opportunity in the world if you just focus. True as that may be, it can be daunting for many, challenging for many still.

Being a member of a Union has a lot of moving parts. You must make sure your work continues a level of professionalism commensurate with our training, you have to make sure your brothers and sisters are protected and understand their rights, and, maybe most importantly, you must be a constant advocate for organized labor. 

Ken Irwin, the JATC’s Assistant Training Coordinator, has recently received his 30-year pin for his IBEW Union membership.