Working on small projects around his house—like replacing outlets or light switches—fascinated WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2025 Valedictorian Isaiah Cook. Later, Isaiah got the opportunity to interview with an electrical contractor and made the switch to an electrical career from a previous unsatisfying one.
Isaiah enjoyed a valuable and productive apprenticeship with WECA and his employer, Arizona Member Contractor Corbins. Isaiah especially enjoyed the opportunities to work on a variety of job sites and supplementing what he learned on-the-job with coursework in WECA’s classrooms and labs.
“One of the interesting jobs I worked on was base housing at Luke Air Force Base. Over several days, I gained all kinds of hands-on experience, including diagnosing issues with light poles, locating underground circuits, replacing blown transformer fuses, and even replacing a panel that had melted due to an arc blast,” said Isaiah.
What’s more, Isaiah said “The ability to step away from field work for a couple of weeks and focus on your knowledge of electrical theory is incredibly helpful for understanding how things work and why.”
Isaiah succeeded in his apprenticeship because he conquered challenges head-on with wisdom and leaned on his mentors and teammates for support.
“I believe one of the biggest challenges anyone will face is overcoming the fear of failing,” said Isaiah. “Mistakes are inevitable—you might kink a pipe, nick a wire, or misread a print, to name a few common ones. But what matters most is owning those mistakes and learning from them. Ultimately, it’s those experiences that help you grow and become a better professional.”
Additionally, Isaiah said “During the early years of my apprenticeship in the service department, Kenneth Morris, Dale Griffith, and Richard Frescas shared so much knowledge and were never stingy with their guidance. Kenneth took me under his wing and spent the time teaching me what he knew when I quite literally knew nothing about electrical work. I wouldn’t be the electrician I am today without their support, and my appreciation for them is immeasurable.”
After graduation, Isaiah will continue to work on medium voltage with his “amazing team” and will focus on continuing to learn as much as possible. Isaiah hopes to become specialized in medium voltage and someday lead his own team.
Congratulations, Isaiah! Your humility, work ethic, and strong teamwork helped you succeed and become the Valedictorian of your class. We know that these traits will help you succeed and mentor the next generation of electricians in the Arizona commercial electrical industry.