Stay Up-to-Date on the Application Process--Check Your Inboxes and Follow Us on Social Media to Strike While the Iron's Hot


 

WECA Electrician Trainees: The 2024 Western Electrical Contractors Education Foundation (WECEF) scholarship round for ETs is coming soon!

These scholarships help awardees offset the cost of tuition, fees, books, tools, and more. Don't miss out on this opportunity--keep an eye on your inboxes and stay tuned on our social media channels on May 1 for information on how to apply!

 

At WECA, we pride ourselves on the fact that many of our instructors have professional backgrounds in myriad facets of the electrical industry. That includes Erwin Marquez, our new Apprenticeship instructor at WECA’s San Diego training facility.

Before joining the WECA team, Erwin—a native of the Philippines—received a B.S. degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering and worked in the electric vehicle, renewable energy, power supply, and semiconductor industries.

His new role at WECA, however, has proven to be exceptionally rewarding. 

“It’s rewarding because you’re helping your students every step of the way and teaching them how to be successful in their careers. My goal is to serve as a role model for students by demonstrating passion, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning in their own career pursuits. I want to lead by example and show students what it means to be successful in their chosen field,” says Erwin.

For Erwin, leading by example means weaving sage advice into his teaching and committing to leveling up at his job and in his understanding of the electrical industry.

“Discover your passion by exposing yourself to a variety of subjects and career paths. Find what you love and enjoy doing, because once you have landed that career, you will feel like you’re never working for the rest of your life,” says Erwin. “And remember these three words—integrity, intelligence, and energy. If you don’t have the first, the other two will bring you down.”

Additionally, Erwin says “I want to always improve at my job and enjoy learning new things, gaining new skills, and becoming more proficient in tasks that I already know. My favorite thing about the electrical industry is the problem-solving and investigating how things like an electrical circuit failed. I enjoy root cause analysis, because it’s like finding a needle in a haystack.”

Outside of work, Erwin enjoys playing sports (especially table tennis!), watching movies, and walking outdoors—particularly with his family.

“I’m blessed with two beautiful angels and a wonderful wife,” says Erwin. “They are my inspiration and motivation in life.”

Thank you for joining the WECA team, Erwin! We’re excited to see how your fascinating background, wisdom, and passion for and knowledge of multiple aspects of the electrical industry help propel the continued success of WECA’s Low Voltage Apprenticeship program in San Diego!

Get Started or Encourage Someone You Know to Start Their WECA Electrician Trainee Program Journey THIS WEEK

Are you already a WECA Apprentice, Electrician Trainee, Journeyperson Continuing Education student, or General Student? Please forward this to someone you'd like to see get started on the journey to becoming a certified electrician!



GetWired 101: Fundamentals of Electrical Theory and Introduction to the National Electrical Code

Start your Electrician Trainee Program Certificate journey with GetWired 101: Fundamentals of Electrical Theory and Introduction to the National Electrical Code.

GetWired 101 is the first course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA. This certificate fulfills the educational qualification requirements to take the California General or Residential Certification Exam and is an alternate educational path to apprenticeship.

GetWired 101 is an entirely online course which introduces fundamental electrical laws and theory and explains how the National Electrical Code (NEC) governs the installations of electrical wiring and equipment. Core competencies include:

• Refresher on basic math skills applied to electrical calculations
• General information on electrical installations
• Introduction to hand and power tools used in the field
• Electrical symbols and receptacle outlets
• Atomic structure
• Electrical quantities and Ohm's Law
• Static electricity and magnetism
• Resistors
• Conductors
• Voltage drop and neutral sizing for services
• Wiring methods
• Switch control of lighting circuits, receptacle installation, bonding, and induction heating

Safety best practices are covered along with tips on study skills. In this course, math equations are applied to the safe and sound wiring and load choices for electrical installations, troubleshooting and maintenance. Theories are discussed and applied to on-the-job situations and tasks.

Total class hours available: 40
Standard tuition fee: $319

Maximum convenience. Take GetWired 101 the way that works best for your life:

Want to take the course while guided by an instructor, learning alongside other students?

The next course instance starts the evening of May 1!

We've waived the late fees for you:

Enroll in the next instructor-led GetWired 101 here!

 

Prefer to take this class on your own time, at your own pace? 

Enroll in GetWired 101 Self-Paced here!

 

 

 

See What's New Below


 

In addition to all of the existing course topics and benefits this popular course has been providing students studying for the California VDV Technician exam (or electricians or low volt techs just looking to refresh their Voice Data Video knowledge for continuing education hours), our improved "Voice Data Video Exam Preparation and Code Refresher" course now additionally offers:

• Expanded audio and CCTV modules
• An updated set of study notes for the BISCI manual
• Four new supplementary practice tests with a focus on BICSI, audio, intrusion, and CCTV

-----------------------------

This self-paced online course is for students who want to study for the California Voice Data Video Technician certification exam, or refresh their VDV knowledge for Continuing Education, at their own pace. Informative presentations help guide students through developing proficiency in the preparation for and execution of the Voice Data Video certification exam. It is meant for individuals who are almost ready to take the exam. Much of the class is dedicated to sample testing similar to state exams. It focuses on practical research by the students to find the answers to questions rather than instruction by lecture.

Learning how to effectively subject index exam questions will help students to:

• Effectively find the answers to any exam question
• Improve exam-taking speed
• Gain a greater understanding of their field

Course Lessons Include:

• Subject indexing in the NFPA 70
• Review of several key NFPA 70 articles, including 720-725, 800, 810, 820, 830, and 840
• Ohm's Law Review
• Kirchhoff's Law Review
• Basic metering
• Copper connectors
• Cables, pathways, and equipment
• Foundations of signal transmission
• Networking fundamentals
• Fiber optic theory and installation
• Telephone basics
• Audio theory and installation
• CCTV systems and installation
• Fire-stopping basics
• Intrusion detection and access control
• Safety-maintenance and repair
• Useful symbols - low voltage and electrical

Total class hours available: 32
Standard tuition fee: $279

Ready to Enroll

 

First year, second semester WECA Low Voltage apprentices recently piloted virtual reality Confined Spaces training from developer PaleBlue.

In this virtual and immersive safety training, they practiced entering a space with limited entry and egress, prepared for accessing a confined space, and then tried out two roles: an entrant and an attendant.

Our instructors and apprentices gave the training two thumbs up. WECA is now rolling it out to all of our Low Voltage apprentices in their first year and second semester of their Apprenticeship program with us, and this VR training will be coming soon to our Commercial and Residential Electrical Apprenticeship programs, too!

Want to Keep Going in Your Electrician Trainee Certificate Journey Sooner? See May Course Instances Below


 

Announcement for WECA Electrician Trainees and Journey Worker Continuing Education Students: Our Summer 2024 (Jul - Sep) course catalog is now available on our website, and GetWired instructor-led classes always fill quickly. Be sure to enroll ASAP to get your spot!

View the Electrician Trainee course catalog

Jump to the Continuing Education course catalog

You can also enroll over the phone at (877) 444-9322, in person at our Rancho Cordova training facility, or by email at info@goweca.com.

Want to keep going in your Electrician Trainee Certificate journey right now? Check out some options below for instructor-led GetWired classes with onsite labs starting in early May!

(Prefer online labs or self-paced? Just visit the main course catalog links above; we have those GetWired format options for you to choose from, as well.)

------------------------------

GetWired 102: Introduction to the Basic Installation of Lighting Fixtures and Branch Circuits is the second course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA.

This 42-hour course expands on the theories and applications taught in our 101 courses. Core competencies include: GFCI and AFCI, series circuits, parallel circuits, and more.

Total class hours: 42
Standard tuition fee: $319

Next instructor-led classes start May 2! We've waived the late enrollment fee for you!

Enroll in the next Instructor-Led with ONSITE IN-PERSON LAB GetWired 102 here!

------------------------------

 

GetWired 103: Continuation of Lighting Branch Circuits & Introduction to Special Purpose Outlets is the third course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA.

This 42-hour course focuses on installing lighting branch-circuits in dwelling units while exploring NEC requirements for safe installations and standard industry practices. Core competencies include: conduction in liquid and gases, batteries and other sources of electricity, inrush current, voltage drop, use of Ohm's Law in calculating basic measurements, and more.

Total class hours: 42
Standard tuition fee: $319

Next instructor-led classes start May 1! We've waived the late enrollment fee for you!

Enroll in the next Instructor-Led with ONSITE IN-PERSON LAB GetWired 103 here!

------------------------------

GetWired 104: Special Systems & Single-Phase Transformer Theory in Residential Electrical Applications is the fourth course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA.

This 42-hour course expands your area of expertise into a variety of special applications. Core competencies include: single-phase transformers, special purpose outlets for electric heating and air conditioning, gas and oil central heating systems, and more.

Total class hours: 42
Standard tuition fee: $319

Next instructor-led classes start May 2! We've waived the late enrollment fee for you!

Enroll in the next Instructor-Led with ONSITE IN-PERSON LAB GetWired 104 here!

------------------------------

GetWired 201: Introduction to Alternating Current, Branch Circuits, and Feeder/Service Calculations is the fifth course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA.

This 36-hour course is designed for students who have completed the 100 series successfully, or for experienced electricians who want to refresh their knowledge of electrical theory and expand their skills. You will gain practice in making a variety of calculations for: branch circuit loads for single and multi-family dwellings, service entrance conductors using optional methods, peak to peak voltage, and more.

Total class hours: 36
Standard tuition fee: $339

Next instructor-led class starts May 6! We've waived the late enrollment fee for you!

Enroll in the next Instructor-Led GetWired 201 with onsite lab here!

------------------------------

GetWired 202: Three-Phase Electrical Systems, Conductors and Overcurrent Protection, Grounding, Wiring Methods, Basic Trigonometry and Vectors is the sixth course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA.

This 36-hour course expands on the concepts and skills built in the 201 courses. Topics covered include: conductors and overcurrent protection, types of three-phase transformers, three-phase transformer calculations and connections, grounding, wiring methods, basic trigonometry and vectors, and sizing branch circuits (which will occur during a hands-on lab).

Total class hours: 36
Standard tuition fee: $389

The next instructor-led class with an onsite lab starts on May 7. Don't miss out--enroll today! We've waived the late enrollment fees for you.

Enroll in GetWired 202 Instructor-Led with Onsite Lab

------------------------------

GetWired 203: Raceway Systems, Switchboards and Panelboards, DC Motors, Three-Phase Alternators and Motors is the seventh course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA.

This 39-hour course expands on skills built in the 202 course. Topics covered include: wiring materials (including raceway systems and cable assemblies, and switchboards and panelboards), DC motors, three-phase alternators and motors, equipment for general use, and a hands-on lab on lighting automation.

Total class hours: 39
Standard tuition fee: $389

The next instructor-led class with an onsite lab starts on May 6.

Don't miss out--enroll today!

We've waived the late enrollment fees for you.

Enroll in GetWired 203 Instructor-Led with Onsite Lab

------------------------------

GetWired 204: Transformers, Special Locations and Single-Phase Motors is the eighth course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA.

This 39-hour course builds on your existing skills to gain knowledge on topics such as transformers, special and hazardous locations, healthcare facilities, commercial garages, motor fuel dispensing facilities, single-phase motors, generators, AC and refrigeration, fire alarms, series-parallel circuits, and complete a hands-on lab on basic lighting control.

Total class hours: 39
Standard tuition fee: $389

The next instructor-led course starts on May 7. Plus--late enrollment fees have been waived! Don't wait--secure your spot today!

Enroll in GetWired 204 Instructor-Led with Onsite Lab

 

 

 

 

 

Content Courtesy of SmartDollar


 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we want to make sure you have the tools you need to be well. One the best ways you can improve your mental health is to take control of your money. SmartDollar has two helpful resources to show you how to get started.

In Dr. John Delony’s Anxiety and Your Money course, you’ll find six quick lessons that’ll teach you how to tackle debt, create healthy spending habits, and talk about finances with your family. Watch the course here.

------------------------------

Not yet signed up for SmartDollar? No worries -- getting started is easy! Learn how below.

SmartDollar is a financial wellness benefit for WECA apprentices. We announced our partnership with the Dave Ramsey-founded online financial wellness platform in January, 2021 to provide our apprentices with a sound foundation in personal finance management. This benefit is available to all WECA apprentices free of charge. Not yet signed up for SmartDollar? No worries -- scroll to the bottom of this article for instructions!

What is SmartDollar? SmartDollar is a step-by-step approach to handling money with the number-one authority in personal finance, Dave Ramsey. More than 4.5 million people have started on Dave's plan and taken control of their money, and you can too! SmartDollar will equip you to get out of debt, on a budget, and on your way to a strong financial foundation.

The average person pays off $9,405 of debt and saves $6,127 in the first twelve months, and you can too!

"This program is powerful yet simple to understand. The Baby Steps make understanding how to win with money easy! Dave's lessons are fun, informative, and incredibly encouraging. It really doesn't feel like I'm taking a financial course. It's more like learning finances from a good friend...or a financially savvy stand-up comedian! The online tools are fantastic as well, and I love being able to 'ASK DAVE' any question and do my budget online. Love it all!" - Recent participant

With SmartDollar, you'll learn how to...

• Jump-start your money
• Knock out debt
• Secure your dream home
• Retire in style
• Demystify your credit score

How does SmartDollar work? With so many ways to engage in SmartDollar activities and content, SmartDollar Points have been designed to encourage users to establish true behavior change. (Check out the graph below for a quick rundown). The greater the importance and required time of each activity, the greater the amount of points that can be earned. For example, each Core Lesson video completed is worth 250 points. Completing a shorter Deep Dive video is worth 50 points. Tracking a transaction in EveryDollar is only worth 20 points, but users are encouraged to track all their financial transactions with no points limitations. These example activities are key for building the confidence you need to reach your financial goals.







 

Taking advantage of your free financial wellness benefit, SmartDollar, is easy!

To set up your account after accessing your dashboard, click either of the links shown as highlighted in the screenshot to the right of this paragraph. You'll be taken to a page with a SmartDollar enrollment link, where you will be able to set up immediate access to this important benefit.

Ready to get started?

Login to your GOWECA dashboard

WECA Utah apprentice graduates: Save the date! WECA's 2024 Commencement Ceremonies for our Utah Graduating Apprenticeship Class of 2024 will be held on June 22nd!

Grads: Please watch your inboxes for ticketing details as this event draws closer.

We look forward to celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our first-ever graduating Utah class!

 

WECA held its annual Women in Construction Week open house on Thursday, March 7 at its California headquarters and training facility in Rancho Cordova, CA.

The event drew numerous women interested in exploring career opportunities in the electrical and low voltage industries.

Diane Trotter, WECA's Workforce Development Supervisor, hosted the open house.

During the open house, Diane hosted a presentation and Q&A session for attendees before showing them around WECA's state-of-the-art labs and classrooms. During the presentation and Q&A portion of the open house, Diane was joined by Autumn Jackson, WECA Commercial and Low Voltage Apprenticeship graduate and current foreperson for Vanden Bos Electric, Amanda Young, a second-year Low Voltage apprentice, and Hershel Baser, an Apprenticeship Consultant for the Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Autumn spoke about her current role at Vanden Bos Electric and shared what she gained from her apprenticeships at WECA, while Amanda discussed her current apprenticeship experience, stating that she enjoys learning things in class that she doesn't get to learn in the field because it makes her a more well-rounded apprentice.

For the lab and classroom tour portion of the open house, Diane was joined by Jimmie Slemp, Lead Instructor and Lab Manager, and LaKeal Morris, Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship instructor. Jimmie and LaKeal performed and assisted attendees with hands-on lab demonstrations.

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the Women in Construction Week 2024 open house! We were thrilled to educate more women on the merits of electrical and low voltage apprenticeships and careers in California, and can't wait to see them become WECA apprentices or electrician trainees in our certificate program soon!

Stay Tuned for More Progress Pics

Caught in the act--of a new build-out for our Low Voltage apprenticeship labs in Sacramento and San Diego! Here's instructor John Arias getting a helping hand from CEO Don Black in carrying some building materials for our new-and-improved "Data Center" labs.

Our Low Voltage apprentices currently practice installing structured cabling systems for telecommunications and data transfer; the expanded lab spaces we're building will allow them to expand on those skills with more practice preparing and inspecting the copper and fiber optic components commonly found in equipment and telecomm spaces. Data Centers are a solution for companies that need to store massive amounts of data in secured spaces. Stay tuned for further build pics as we bring this new lab space to life in both locations!

Commercial Electrical apprentices: We've just uploaded new information about your Acupuncture and Chiropractic Health Benefits Plan coverage. Login to your secure apprentice dashboard at GOWECA.COM and go to "Commercial Apprentice Benefits" to view your new coverage document.

Advanced Electrician Trainees and Journeyperson Continuing Ed Students:

By Popular Demand, We've Opened More Seats in the GetWired 303: Blueprint Reading Part 3, Planning Commercial Electrical Installations for New Construction Course Starting April 10th

Get Yours Before They're Gone

GetWired 303: Blueprint Reading Part 3: Planning Commercial Electrical Installations for New Construction is the eleventh course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA.

Build on the skills you learned in GetWired 301 and 302 by getting “hands on” experience planning commercial electrical installations. Identify needed resources, job specifications, applicable codes, and information from the owner/architect, and AHJ and coordinate them all with specific blueprints. This course includes three projects you'll work on independently, with guidance from an instructor, including:

• Assignment 1 - Job pre-planning
• Assignment 2 - Preliminary electrical room layout
• Assignment 3 - Plan conflict-free electrical installations

This course is not for beginners. Students enrolled in GetWired 303 should:

• Have basic blueprint reading experience (including A, C, L, M, P, and E sheets)
• Have experience using construction documents and electrical specifications (equipment cut-sheets, submittals, electrical contracts, RFI, change orders, and more)
• Have a good understanding of electrical theory
• Have considerable experience using the National Electrical Code

 

• Total class hours available: 32
• Standard tuition fee: $349

The next class starts on Apr. 10. Don't miss out--enroll today!

Enroll in GetWired 303!

 

GetWired 202 Three-Phase Electrical Systems, Conductors and Overcurrent Protection, Grounding, Wiring Methods, Basic Trigonometry and Vectors

Starts: April 8

GetWired 202 expands on the concepts and skills built in the 201 courses. Topics covered include: conductors and overcurrent protection; types of three-phase transformers; three-phase transformer calculations and connections; grounding; wiring methods, basic trigonometry and vectors, and sizing branch circuits (hands-on lab).

Total class hours available: 36

Standard tuition fee: $389

Click here to enroll in GetWired 202 Instructor-Led with Onsite Lab

------------------------------

GetWired 203 Raceway Systems, Switchboards and Panelboards, DC Motors, Three-Phase Alternators and Motors

Starts: April 9

GetWired 203 expands on skills built in the 202 courses. Topics covered include: wiring materials; raceway systems and cable assemblies; switchboards and panelboards; DC motors; three-phase alternators and generators; equipment for general use, and lighting automation (hands-on lab).

Total class hours available: 39

Standard tuition fee: $389

Click here to enroll in GetWired 203 Instructor-Led with Onsite Lab

------------------------------

GetWired 204 Transformers, Special Locations and Single-Phase Motors

Starts: April 8

GetWired 204 expands on skills taught in the 203 courses. Topics covered include: transformers; special locations; hazardous locations; healthcare facilities; places of assembly; commercial garages and motor fuel dispensing facilities; motors, generators, A/C and refrigeration and fire pumps; series-parallel circuits; basic lighting control (hands-on lab), and single-phase motors.

Total class hours available: 39

Standard tuition fee: $389

Click here to enroll in GetWired 204 Instructor-Led with Onsite Lab

Content Courtesy of SmartDollar



Week 1: Budgeting



Week 2: Paying off Debt



Week 3: Saving



Week 4: Retirement

------------------------------
 

Not yet signed up for SmartDollar? No worries -- getting started is easy! Learn how below.

SmartDollar is a financial wellness benefit for WECA apprentices. We announced our partnership with the Dave Ramsey-founded online financial wellness platform in January, 2021 to provide our apprentices with a sound foundation in personal finance management. This benefit is available to all WECA apprentices free of charge. Not yet signed up for SmartDollar? No worries -- scroll to the bottom of this article for instructions!

What is SmartDollar? SmartDollar is a step-by-step approach to handling money with the number-one authority in personal finance, Dave Ramsey. More than 4.5 million people have started on Dave's plan and taken control of their money, and you can too! SmartDollar will equip you to get out of debt, on a budget, and on your way to a strong financial foundation.

The average person pays off $9,405 of debt and saves $6,127 in the first twelve months, and you can too!

"This program is powerful yet simple to understand. The Baby Steps make understanding how to win with money easy! Dave's lessons are fun, informative, and incredibly encouraging. It really doesn't feel like I'm taking a financial course. It's more like learning finances from a good friend...or a financially savvy stand-up comedian! The online tools are fantastic as well, and I love being able to 'ASK DAVE' any question and do my budget online. Love it all!" - Recent participant

With SmartDollar, you'll learn how to...

• Jump-start your money
• Knock out debt
• Secure your dream home
• Retire in style
• Demystify your credit score

How does SmartDollar work? With so many ways to engage in SmartDollar activities and content, SmartDollar Points have been designed to encourage users to establish true behavior change. (Check out the graph below for a quick rundown). The greater the importance and required time of each activity, the greater the amount of points that can be earned. For example, each Core Lesson video completed is worth 250 points. Completing a shorter Deep Dive video is worth 50 points. Tracking a transaction in EveryDollar is only worth 20 points, but users are encouraged to track all their financial transactions with no points limitations. These example activities are key for building the confidence you need to reach your financial goals.

Taking advantage of your free financial wellness benefit, SmartDollar, is easy!

To set up your account after accessing your dashboard, click either of the links shown as highlighted in the screenshot to the right of this paragraph. You'll be taken to a page with a SmartDollar enrollment link, where you will be able to set up immediate access to this important benefit.

Ready to get started?

Login to your GOWECA dashboard

Women Apprentices and Electrician Trainees: Join WECA's Virtual Women in Electrical Trades Forum

All Apprentices: Make Your Voice Heard at WECA's Virtual Apprentice Advisory Panels
 

WECA's Virtual Women in Electrical Trades Forum

When: Thursday, April 4 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Where: Zoom

How to RSVP: Email Diane Trotter at dtrotter@goweca.com
 

When: Thursday, July 11 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Where: Zoom

How to RSVP: Email Diane Trotter at dtrotter@goweca.com

------------------------------

WECA's Virtual Apprentice Advisory Panels
 

When: Thursday, May 2 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Where: Zoom

How to RSVP: Email Jeanette Santos at jsantos@goweca.com
 

When: Thursday, August 1 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Where: Zoom

How to RSVP: Email Jeanette Santos at jsantos@goweca.com

In December 2023, WECEF was pleased to announce the Frank Vellutini Memorial Apprenticeship Scholarship 2024. The scholarship was created in memory of Frank Vellutini, longtime owner of Royal Electric Company and WECA member since 1971. Frank was actively involved with WECA and responsible for extraordinary contributions to WECA's growth and success for many years. Frank served on the WECA Board of Directors and the WECA Apprenticeship and Training Trust from 1992 to 2015. Royal Electric Company was one of the founding members that established the Western Electrical Contractors Education Foundation (WECEF).

It is now our honor to congratulate the first recipients of the Frank Vellutini Memorial Apprenticeship Scholarship 2024. Please join us in congratulating:

Moses Melgar (CA)

Garrett Shell (CA)

Andrew Holdaway (AZ)

Mark Belogub (CA)

Nicolas Craig (CA)

Devon Sprague (CA)

Damon Collins (AZ)

Joseph Discoe (UT)

Jairo Felix (CA)

Demetrios Pathammavong (CA)

Dan Larkin (CA)

James Dolinich (AZ)

Leng Vang (CA)

Giancarlos Mendoza (CA)

Paul Roberts (CA)

Corbin McBride (CA)

Women in Construction Week 2024 is March 3rd-9th!

You're Invited to WECA's Open House in Celebration of Women in Construction Week 2024 on March 7th at 3 PM

Please Join Us or Share This Invitation with Someone Who Should




 

This March, WECA is celebrating Women in Construction Week 2024 with an Open House event at our Sacramento/Rancho Cordova training facility and California HQ.

We invite women considering careers as electricians or low voltage technicians to join us on March 7th at 3 p.m. to learn how to get involved in WECA's electrical apprenticeship and training programs, get a tour of WECA's training facility and labs while meeting the WECA team and networking with other women in the field, and to celebrate women in the electrical workforce.

We encourage you to pre-register for the event to secure your spot, though we will accept walk-ins on the day of the event. However, pre-registration will allow you to receive event reminders and updated event information.

RSVP for the Women in Construction Week 2024 Open House

Not for you? Please share this invitation with someone you know!



Download a WECA WIC Week 2024 Open House flyer

Introducing the Next Self-Paced Online Option for Our GetWired Electrician Trainee Program Series:

GetWired 401: Self-Paced Introduction to Motor Controls

Take It on Your Own Time, at Your Own Pace!

WECA is excited to announce another way students can take GetWired 401, the thirteenth class in WECA's Path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate!

We've long offered GetWired 401 as an instructor-led online course. And we still do!

But for students who would prefer to take this course at their own pace, on their own time, we're now offering a fully self-paced online option, just like we've been offering for earlier courses in the GetWired series! Students who might prefer this format include:

• Students with job, childcare, or other obligations preventing them from taking the instructor-led scheduled courses in the evenings
• Students who would benefit from being able to review the material at a slower pace, such as students for whom English is a second language
• Students who just prefer to work on the coursework at times and places when it works best for them

--------------------

WECA's new GetWired 401 Self-Paced Option is an entirely online, self-paced alternative version of our GetWired 401 course, which is excellent preparation for Basic Motor Controls Parts 1 and 2, where students apply what they’ve learned in Get Wired! 401 to hands-on motor control labs.

For those with little or no experience with motor controls, this self-paced online course gives a solid foundation in:

• Motor controls and schematics
• Reversing controls
• Controls for multiple motors
• Disconnecting means for motors and controllers
• Winding connections
• Control and signaling circuits

A 2020 NEC and Mike Holt's Understanding Basic Motor Controls books are required.

• Total class hours available: 33
• Standard Tuition Fee: $349

If all of this sounds like it would work for you,

enroll in GetWired 401 Self-Paced Online

Think you'd prefer being able to interact with an instructor and learn along with other students?

Enroll in an upcoming instance of the original GetWired 401 here!

First day at WECA! WECA Arizona Apprenticeship Manager and Lead Instructor Keith Smart recently showed a new class of first year, first semester Arizona Commercial Electrical apprentices around WECA's Phoenix Training Facility and Arizona Headquarters. Have a great semester, everyone!

 

WECA has recently released a substantial update to its "Solar Power for Electricians" online, self-paced course. Our improved course now includes an introduction to module level electronics and three topologies of current solar applications. The course expands the relationship between irradiance, efficiency, and current. The types of source circuits and their IV curves used in stand-alone systems, microinverter systems, DC-to-DC converter systems, and central inverter systems are also covered.

Journeyperson continuing education students: Enroll in this stand-alone, self-paced online 16-hour Solar Power for Electricians course. Or, if you need more hours, consider Faultless Solar, which packages this course with another to provide 32 hours of training.

Electrician Trainees: "Solar Power for Electricians" is part of GetWired 402, so you will take it as part of your journey towards the WECA Electrician Trainee Program certificate.

 

Advanced Electrician Trainees: Are you planning to take the California General or Residential Electrician Certification exam, California Fire Life Safety Technician Certification exam, or the California Voice Data Video Technician Certification exam soon? The State of California recently released Code-updated exams, so WECA is now delivering all of our exam prep courses on the 2020 National Electrical Code! Pick your class and start preparing for your exam today!

WECA Apprentices: Be sure to check your booklists carefully, as we've updated all of our apprenticeship semesters which focus on exam prep to 2020 Code as well.

Need Another Class for Your Electrician Trainee Cert? Or Just Looking for Some Fun Journeyperson Continuing Ed?

Basic Motor Controls, Part 2, In Your Choice of Sacramento or San Diego on March 9th & March 16th

Spots Going Fast -- Secure Yours!

Get further hands-on experience building control circuits for motors.

In this onsite, lab-based course, Basic Motor Controls Part 2, working on a motor controls training board with up to one other student partner, you will learn about and gain experience with:

• Sequential starting of multiple motors
• Control relays and their common applications
• Timers and timing logic -- for example, on delay, off delay, etc.

Total class hours available: 16

Standard tuition fee: $229

Enroll in Basic Motor Controls Part 2, running March 9th & 16th in your choice of Sacramento or San Diego

Have questions or need assistance? Call us at 877-444-9322 or email us at info@goweca.com.

Left to Right: WECA Government Relations Director Rex Hime; U.S. Congressman Blake Moore (Utah 01); WECA Utah Apprenticeship Manager and Lead Instructor Talon Pobuda; and Cody Eaton of Utah Member Hunt Electric and Trustee on the WECA Apprenticeship Training Trust Board of Trustees

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U.S. Congressman Blake Moore (Utah 01) and his staff toured WECA’s Utah Training Facility on Thursday, January 25. Elected in 2021, Moore is the first-ever Republican from Utah to serve on the influential House Committee on Ways and Means.

Moore was joined by WECA’s Government Relations Director Rex Hime; Cody Eaton of Utah Member Contractor Hunt Electric and Trustee on the WECA Apprenticeship Training Trust Board of Trustees; and Utah Apprenticeship Manager and Lead Instructor Talon Pobuda, who was teaching a cohort of second-year apprentices during the visit.

Moore was impressed with WECA’s practical approach to education, with the books and the hands-on training steps away from each other. He even got to talk to some of our apprentices and learn about their favorite subjects to learn about through their classwork so far. Providing as many professional pathways as possible for his constituents is a priority, and he noticed exactly the value WECA provided in that space.

Eaton took the opportunity to explain how critical competency-based training was for workforce development in Utah. With over 90 apprentices in the program, he explained that no one can prepare Hunt Electric’s employees for the field like WECA can.

Thank you to Representative Blake Moore and his team for learning about how WECA is helping develop Utah’s workforce.

(APPRENTICES: If You're Not Using Your FREE SmartDollar Apprentice Benefit, This Is Your Sign -- Get Started Below)

Content Courtesy of SmartDollar and SmartTax



 

Content courtesy of: SmartDollar and SmartTax

We've invested in SmartDollar to help you take control of your finances--including your taxes. And that means you can file with Ramsey SmartTax for free! (And what's more budget-friendly than free?)

Get started with Ramsey SmartTax here. If you're a WECA Apprentice and don't have a SmartDollar account yet, learn how to get started below.

Happy filing!

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Not yet signed up for SmartDollar? No worries -- getting started is easy! Learn how below.

SmartDollar is a financial wellness benefit for WECA apprentices. We announced our partnership with the Dave Ramsey-founded online financial wellness platform in January, 2021 to provide our apprentices with a sound foundation in personal finance management. This benefit is available to all WECA apprentices free of charge. Not yet signed up for SmartDollar? No worries -- scroll to the bottom of this article for instructions!

What is SmartDollar? SmartDollar is a step-by-step approach to handling money with the number-one authority in personal finance, Dave Ramsey. More than 4.5 million people have started on Dave's plan and taken control of their money, and you can too! SmartDollar will equip you to get out of debt, on a budget, and on your way to a strong financial foundation.

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Taking advantage of your free financial wellness benefit, SmartDollar, is easy!

To set up your account after accessing your dashboard, click either of the links shown as highlighted in the screenshot to the right of this paragraph. You'll be taken to a page with a SmartDollar enrollment link, where you will be able to set up immediate access to this important benefit.

Ready to get started?

Login to your GOWECA dashboard