For WECA Electrician Trainee Victoria Carrillo, her family strongly influenced her decision to become an electrician and her perspective on the electrical industry.

“My dad is an electrician, and my maternal grandfather was an electrician,” says Victoria. “They inspired my interest in the electrical field, and to be hard-working. Being an electrician has changed my life so much by helping me learn to be stronger, have more patience and overall determination, and has helped me become a better mom, friend, and example for all my siblings.”

Before enrolling in WECA’s Electrician Trainee Program, Victoria tried to become an electrician through a traditional college education, but found it difficult to succeed in that environment as a mom and full-time apprentice.

“As a mom, the ability to have class online [through WECA’s Electrician Trainee Program] is a huge advantage for me, and the late class times offered are exactly what I need to be able to manage work and school at the same time. The program offers self-paced classes twice a week with occasional hands-on labs on Saturdays and has incredible instructors who have worked in the field themselves who understand what they teach through experience. The instructors make it very easy to ask questions and learn without feeling rushed or embarrassed. And, I’ve run into wiring problems or conduit fill issues [on-the-job] that I would not have known what to do about without my knowledge from my WECA instructors. The program is so convenient and makes going to school a lot less stressful in comparison to other options I tried,” says Victoria.

As a woman electrician, Victoria says that she quickly learned that in the electrical industry, your gender doesn’t matter – but your determination to work hard does.

“Women are strong, smart, and have a strong nature within themselves to get things done,” says Victoria. “The electrical field would benefit from more women because of that. There are so many women out there with a talent for wiring and construction that don’t even know it yet.”

Great sentiments, Victoria! We’re happy to hear that WECA’s Electrician Trainee Program helps you pursue your electrical industry education and career while maintaining your family responsibilities, and hope that your insight inspires more women to join the growing ranks of premier women electricians in California!