WECA Alumni (and Member Contractor Pavletich Electric & Communications, Inc. Employee)

Tanner Nicks Profiled in Electrical Construction & Maintenance's 2024 30 Under 30 Cohort

WECA alumni Tanner Nicks, a journeyman electrician for WECA Member Contractor Pavletich Electric & Communications, Inc., was recently profiled in Electrical Construction & Maintenance's 2024 30 Under 30 EC&M Electrical All Stars cohort! We loved the story of how the apprenticeship training he received at WECA prepared him to be a leader and teach others.

Excerpt courtesy of Electrical Construction & Maintenance:

Born in Bakersfield, Calif., Nicks completed his five-year apprenticeship through the Western Electrical Contractors Association (WECA). "The training I have received has given me the confidence and knowledge to be responsible for being in charge of jobs as well as the safety of others when working on the job site that I am in charge of," he says.

As a journeyman electrician and lead for his company, his day begins with obtaining material for the daily work. He also sets aside work for employees depending on their knowledge and experience. He enjoys teaching the people who work for him faster ways to do certain tasks and answering questions about electrical installations or operation of electrical equipment.

"Teaching is a very rewarding process that my role includes," he says.

You can read the whole article at EC&M (registration required).

Video Profile

WECA Electrician Apprentice Tristen Pierce Encourages Young People to Consider Electrical Careers

Watch below:



WECA Commercial Electrical Apprentice Tristen Pierce encourages young people to consider electrical careers through outreach as a Young Life leader and in partnership with WECA.

 

WECEF is proud to congratulate the 2024 WECEF Scholarship winners! This year's scholarships will help support 22 talented and dedicated Electrician Trainees in continuing their educations with WECA. Please join us in congratulating the recipients:

Eduardo Andrade-Ramirez

Joshua Angulo

Hunter Backues

Dale Cohn

Adam Gardner

Chavez Garner

Micah Kirk

Nhattinh Le

Luis Alejandro Macias

Daniel Martinez

Tobias McMullen

Jacob Medina

Christian Mendoza

Jose Uriel Morales Hernandez

Nathen Morse

Nick Palmer

Gregorio Perez-Garcia

Omar Pinot

Edwin Romero

Joshua Romero

Michael Ulisny

Michael Watkins

Congratulations, everyone!

WECA's GetWired, Curriculum Development, and Electrician Trainee/Continuing Education Teams Convene at Biannual Train the Trainer Workshop


 

WECA held another Getwired Train the Trainer workshop on Saturday, June 29th via Zoom.

The workshop, typically held twice a year, was attended by GetWired instructors and members of the Electrician Trainee/Continuing Education online delivery and curriculum teams.

During the workshop, attendees discussed topics such as recently released self-paced GetWired courses, upcoming GetWired courses in development, this year's Electrician Trainee Certificate Program graduation numbers (this year's GetWired graduating class will be the largest ever!), and some upcoming tech advancements in instructional and educational delivery.

At the end of the workshop, attendees also held a round table discussion, where they discussed a variety of open-ended topics.

As always, WECA is deeply appreciative of our GetWired instructors and everyone involved behind the scenes with running this program. WECA trains more electrician trainees every year than any other school in California!

WECA Fall Session (Oct-Dec 2024) Now Available Online for Enrollment for Electrician Trainees and Continuing Education Students



WECA Electrician Trainees and Journey Worker Continuing Education students: Our Fall 2024 (Oct-Dec) 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.

Don't wait to secure your seat!





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And remember: there are now three different ways to take GetWired

Watch our explainer video and get all your questions answered:

Share in Their Graduation Event with Video, Pictures, and Memories of the Celebration
 

On June 22nd, 2024, WECA held a celebratory event to honor the first-ever graduating class from our WECA Utah Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program.

Please join us in reliving some great moments as we celebrated the WECA Utah Class of 2024!

Congratulations to the WECA Utah Class of 2024!

We were thrilled to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments at their graduation event on Saturday, June 22nd in Salt Lake City.

Don Black, WECA CEO, shares how meaningful it was to see our first-ever graduating Utah class celebrated by their families and employers, such as WECA Member Contractors Hunt Electric and Helix Electric, in addition to Rena Maza, the Apprenticeship Navigator for the Utah Department of Workforce Services, and Scott Romney, the Commissioner of Apprenticeship Programs for Utah.

Don also highlighted how gratified we are by the continued support and generosity of our Member Contractors and graduate gift donors (Milwaukee Tool, Klein Tools, Platt Electric Supply, and Build26), which helped to make the event even more memorable.

Talon Pobuda, Apprenticeship Manager and Lead Instructor for the WECA Utah Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program, says that the graduation "Was a fun and lighthearted event to reward the graduates' hard work. It was awesome to hear several of the graduates speak about their appreciation of WECA's program and methods. WECA's goal is not just to make journeypersons--it is to make the best electricians and future leaders in Utah. This group of graduates are fine examples of exactly that, and I am grateful and proud to have helped them get where they are now. The presence of Member Contractors underscored their support and reflected the strong community within WECA. Special guests like Scott Romney and Rena Maza highlighted the state's endorsements of our efforts. Generous donations from Industry Partners like DeWalt, Milwaukee Tool, Klein Tools, Platt Electric Supply, and Build26 provided valuable tools and swag and enhanced the experience for our graduates."

Congratulations, graduates! We are immensely proud of you, our first graduating class, and look forward to all that you will accomplish in the future as contributors and leaders to the electrical industry in Utah!

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WECA thanks our sponsors and graduate gift donors for making the first-ever WECA Utah Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship graduation extra special for our graduates!

 

WECA is excited to invite you to celebrate your achievements of successfully completing your programs! Graduates of WECA's Commercial Electrical, Residential Electrical, and Low Voltage Apprenticeship Programs, as well as Electrician Trainee Program graduates, will be honored at these events. Meet with your classmates, instructors, contractors, and WECA staff in honor of your graduation, and celebrate together with your families and friends! 

Please check your inbox for your invitation to RSVP for your graduation event. 

WECA Apprentices: Please Join Us on Thursday, July 25 at 5 PM PST to Learn How to Make the Most Out of SmartDollar, Your Complimentary Financial Wellness Benefit

Plus, Learn How to Save Money on Groceries in August


 

Please join us on Thursday, July 25 at 5 PM PST for an informational webinar, where you will learn how to use SmartDollar (your complimentary financial wellness benefit) and how you can use SmartDollar to reach your monetary goals.

SmartDollar is a complimentary benefit for all WECA apprentices and all WECA staff. Learn how to get the most from it, and keep more money in your pocket!

When: Thursday, July 25 at 5 PM PST

Where: Zoom

How to Join

• Please use the link below to learn more, register for the event if you haven't done so yet, and obtain the link for the webinar prior to the start time.
• We would appreciate if you would pre-register so we can track the count of attendees.

Register for the event here
 

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Content courtesy of SmartDollar

There's no denying grocery prices are going up (and might keep going up). Instead of hanging our heads in frustration, we have a set of practical tips to help you stick to your food budget. Access your SmartDollar account to get started!

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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.

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

Mark your calendars--open enrollment is coming soon!

WECA's open enrollment period will start at the end of August. This year will be an active open enrollment, which means that new enrollment forms will be required. This is the time to add a dependent to the group health plans, if not already enrolled.

All changes will take effect on October 1, 2024. WECA will be mailing out postcards to your mailing address with detailed information about open enrollment, and will also send out open enrollment notification details to your email address.

Women Apprentices and Electrician Trainees: Women in the Electrical Trades Forum

All Apprentices: Virtual Apprentice Advisory Panel

Women in the Electrical Trades Forum

When: Thursday, August 15 at 3:30 PM

Where: Zoom

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

Virtual Apprentice Advisory Panel

When: Thursday, August 22 at 4 PM

Where: Zoom

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

Stay tuned for a special publication featuring the first ever WECA Utah Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship graduating class! We celebrated their graduation last weekend, and have pictures and video coming your way soon. In the meantime, meet our valedictorian and salutatorian!

WECA is proud to present the inaugural Utah Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program Class of 2024 – including its Valedictorian, Austin Weaver, an employee of WECA Member Contractor Helix Electric.

Austin reports that his WECA education was “a nice blend of being challenging, engaging, and interesting. Between the presentations of need-to-know information and the labs, I felt my confidence grow in what I could expect in the field and in myself. The two-week class format was something I really enjoyed because I felt that I could focus on my learning without the exhausting demands of a full workweek.”

Additionally, Austin says that his apprenticeship with WECA has prepared him for his career by exposing him to the resources needed to be a successful electrician and teaching him how to navigate those resources.

“Much of the knowledge I’ve learned has contributed to a broader intuition that will surely help me in the many critical thinking situations I will be faced with in the future. My education will also help me connect with the upcoming generation of electricians that go through the program and enable me to help them with questions they have by using on-the-job situations as teaching points. Frankly, it will also help me be a better mentor and provide an effective bridge between school and work,” says Austin.

As a complement to his WECA education, Austin’s on-the-job training with employer Helix Electric made him adaptable and laid the groundwork for his work processes. Austin’s on-the-job training also allowed him to learn from his successes and failures, as well as those of others.

Austin credits his success at WECA to WECA’s curriculum, his determined and focused spirit, and his support system.

“Some of the factors that contributed to my success at WECA, in my career, and in becoming valedictorian of my class include the profoundly well-thought-out curriculum that WECA offers, my willingness to learn from the many electricians I’ve been able to work with, and my determination to aspire to and accomplish lofty academic goals,” says Austin. “My success is due to the support of others. I’ve been blessed to work around people who actively help me to become better. I intend to pay that forward.”

Austin encourages current and future apprentices to “be humble – if you’re struggling with something in school or at work, look at it as an opportunity to grow instead of a stab at your pride. Struggles expose us for who we currently are so we can tend to weaknesses and become all the better. Another bit of advice is to really take your class time at WECA seriously. If you learn as much as you possibly can in the classroom and couple that with your hands-on abilities from the field, you will be an effective and confident electrician who will be trusted.”

Furthermore, Austin credits his mentors, instructor, and family for helping propel his success.

“I would like to give a shout-out to Jon Hunt for inviting me to apply at Helix and join the electrical trade. I will forever be indebted to him,” says Austin. “I’d like to thank Ryan Harwood, Joaquin Gomez, and Derek Ferguson for mentoring me throughout my career so far. I’d like to thank Talon Pobuda (WECA Utah Apprenticeship Manager and Lead Instructor) for his excellent teaching and keen interest in our success as skilled workers. And I’d like to thank my parents, siblings, and extended family for their love and support as I’ve progressed along my career path.”

After graduating from WECA, Austin plans to further his electrical industry education, finesse his performance and leadership skills, and “become an invaluable asset to Helix Electric and continue to provide my best work for them.”

Congratulations on your graduation, Austin! Your humility, drive, and grit have paid off – and will continue to take you far. The Utah electrical industry is lucky to have you!

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If there’s one thing that WECA Utah Class of 2024 Salutatorian and Hunt Electric Commercial Electrical Apprentice Landon Doty could change about his apprenticeship experience, it would have been to start in the WECA program through Day 1.

“Having gone to other schools first, I can confidently say that I would love to have started from the beginning with WECA,” says Landon. “We discussed some of the curriculum that my class didn’t get to cover elsewhere, and some of the material that we did get to cover at WECA…I can only imagine how much better it would be to have gone through WECA sooner.”

“WECA is fun. Having many more labs than previous schools was a treat. WECA also gave me access to many concepts, products, and scenarios that I had never seen until it was required of me. I can now more confidently approach numerous uncommon tasks. I have spent many hours being moved around with tasks and learning new ways of approaching tasks. Learning to install is important, but having the chance to learn how to learn has been greatly beneficial,” continues Landon.

Outside of the classroom, Landon is tremendously thankful for his on-the-job apprenticeship experience with employer and WECA Utah founding Member Contractor Hunt Electric.

“I am lucky enough to have the opportunity through Hunt to work on a one-of-a-kind project. I look forward to being able to see such an incredible project through,” says Landon. “It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime project that I am blessed to be a part of. I look forward to learning more and improving further. As wonderful as it is to finish school, I still can’t help but feel that I have so much more to learn.”

Landon also attributes his success to being focused and detail oriented.

“I have always been more of a meticulous person,” says Landon. “I like to understand the ‘why’ just as much as the ‘how’. This has helped me be able to prioritize tasks, and information needed for a task. Being able to differentiate is great for using time and energy efficiently.”

And last, but not least, Landon credits his mom and dad with contributing to his success.

“Their continuous support has been nothing short of a miracle and a blessing,” says Landon. 

Join Us on Wednesday, July 17 at 5 PM PST to Learn How to Make the Most Out of SmartDollar, Your Complimentary Apprenticeship Benefit


 

Please join us for a presentation where you will learn how to use SmartDollar, your complimentary apprenticeship benefit, and how you can use SmartDollar to reach your money goals.

When: Wednesday, July 17 at 5 PM PST

Where: Zoom

How to Join

Register for the event here

Behind the scenes of the continued buildout of the updated Low Voltage Apprenticeship data room lab at WECA's California HQ: Low Voltage instructors John Arias and Randy Rivera hard at work putting up the room's walls--including Plexiglass for a see-through wall feature! For this phase, John and Randy installed drywall for the solid walls, and Plexiglass for the see-through walls. The Plexiglass feature will enable other apprentices and passers-by to observe the work of apprentices actively in the lab.

If you missed our initial installment of the WECA data room chronicles, the new data rooms being built at WECA's California HQ in Sacramento plus our Training Center in San Diego will allow our Low Voltage apprentices to expand upon their telecommunications and fiber optic installation and maintenance skills in a lab environment. These skills are increasingly important in today's world as companies continue to store massive amounts of data in secured spaces.

Download the roadmap here

There are three ways to take WECA's GetWired Path to an Electrician Trainee Certificate. Which one is right for you?

Design the journey to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate in California that works for YOU. Learn about all the different ways and combinations--online; onsite; instructor-led; on your own--that you can take WECA's GetWired program.

Watch our video below, and then visit our course catalog to enroll in a July instructor-led or self-paced online class!

CA Commercial Electrical Apprentices: Make Health and Self-Care a Priority with OnePass Wellness Benefits from United Healthcare


 

?Get discounts for gyms or discounted digital-only home workouts with OnePass Select

Start a free online weight management support program with Real Appeal

Get free, on-demand access to self-care and emotional well-being tools with Self Care from AbleTo

Learn more about your benefits with United Healthcare's Rewards toolkit

Remember to Save the Date to Celebrate

2024 WECA Northern California and Southern California Graduation Ceremonies

Be sure to mark your calendars for WECA's 2024 Commencement Ceremonies for our Northern and Southern California graduating Apprenticeship and Electrician Trainee Program Classes of 2024!

For Northern California, circle October 5 on your calendar.

For Southern California, circle September 28 on your calendar.

Watch your inboxes for more details as these events draw closer. We look forward to celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our graduates with you!

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

GetWired 301: Self-Paced Electrical Work for Commercial Construction from the Ground Up, Part 1

Take It on Your Own Time, at Your Own Pace


 

WECA is excited to announce another way students can take GetWired 301, the ninth class in WECA's Path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate!

We've long offered GetWired 301 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

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WECA's new GetWired 301 Self-Paced Option is an entirely online, self-paced alternative version of our GetWired 301 course, which takes students through construction of a commercial building from underground work through construction and finish work. Students will use genuine construction plans (digital blueprints on a mobile tablet) and related documents to learn how to coordinate documents, work with other trades, and identify ways to save money through careful planning.

Course topics include:

• How to read construction plans (blueprints)
• Coordinating construction documents:
• Identifying and planning for electrical work on construction plan sheet types
• Underground utilities locator and coordinating with local utility companies
• Parallel conductors, sizing secondary conductors and conduits and sizing grounding electrode conductors
• Working clearances, services and meter types
• Exterior Lighting
• Scheduling Labor and materials

A 2020 NEC book, a set of digital blueprints and a digital student resource booklet are required for this course. The digital blueprints and the student resource booklet, pre-loaded on a complimentary mobile tablet, are included in the cost of the tuition. 

• Total class hours available: 40.5
• Standard Tuition Fee: $399

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

enroll in GetWired 301 Self-Paced Online today!

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 301 here!

Watch this easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructional video that WECA created for our students, showing how to solve Combination Circuits.

Concepts covered in the video include Combination Circuit basics, Series Circuit rules, the Reciprocal Formula, Parallel Circuit rules, and two examples of Combination Circuits.

Application Deadline is June 15th; Apply Soon for Consideration


 

For students enrolled in WECA's Electrician Trainee program:

Application Deadline:

June 15, 2024

The Western Electrical Contractors Education Foundation (WECEF) is pleased to offer a scholarship opportunity for students enrolled in WECA’s Electrician Trainee (ET) Program. These scholarships help support students in continuing their education with WECA.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE:

• Active WECA Electrician Trainee at time of application
• COMPLETION of at least one WECA ET course within the GetWired 100-300 series, with a passing grade of at least 80%, during the six months prior to April 1, 2024 (between October 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024)
• Accurate completion of the online scholarship application and answers to questions, by the deadline of June 15, 2024. Incomplete applications, or late applications, will not be considered.
• Not currently a registered Apprentice
• Not a General Student or Journeyman student. This is only for active Electrician Trainees.
• Has not already been a recipient of a WECEF scholarship within the last two years (during or since the 2022 award cycle)
• Within the past two years, may not have received a notification of any violation of any WECA student conduct standards as outlined in our ET student handbook

AWARDS:

Depending on the quality and quantity of the applications, up to ten (10) recipients will be awarded. This year, the WECEF Board of Directors has decided to award a monetary amount plus a credit toward future courses.

• Each monetary award will be between $500-$1,000, PLUS tuition to cover two future classes in WECA's Electrician Trainee Program Certificate path--namely the GetWired series and Basic Motor Controls 1 and 2.
• Tuition awards towards courses cannot be converted to cash or transferred to another person.
• Tuition award cannot be used towards a class already purchased
• Tuition can be used for only two future WECA courses; and both courses must be started before December 31, 2024
• Award towards tuition expires after December 31, 2024 and cannot be renewed.

The WECEF Board of Directors will review applications from eligible candidates. All applicants will be notified of the committee’s final decision within one month from application deadline, by mail and/or email.

Submissions must be fully completed by the June 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM deadline for consideration.

Please login to WECA eCampus to access and complete your scholarship application.

Sincerely,

The WECEF Board of Directors

Content Courtesy of SmartDollar


 

Content courtesy of SmartDollar

SmartDollar has a new course: How to Buy a Home You Can Actually Afford by George Kamel. In this course, you will learn how to buy a house the Ramsey way.

In this course, Dave Ramsey and George Kamel will discuss topics like how to look for a home, finding the right real estate agent, exploring mortgage options, and breaking down the steps needed to purchase a home.

Log in to your dashboard to get started!

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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.

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

 

While attending Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Bob Boling held his instructors there in such esteem that he knew he wanted to become an electrical instructor himself someday.

Two decades later, Bob is now WECA’s newest Electrical Apprenticeship instructor! Bob comes to WECA with seventeen years of experience as a journeyperson electrician, having worked in the residential electrical, commercial electrical, light industrial, solar, and general maintenance sectors and for two years as an instructor at another educational institution.

As an instructor, Bob enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with students, while also continually “striving to improve my own knowledge.”

“I am a naturally hard worker and I always strive to do my best and improve,” says Bob. “I intend to do that by using the resources available to me. In this case, I am looking forward to gaining as much knowledge as I can from the other instructors, as that is probably one of the best resources I have available to me.”

Bob’s philosophy is that while most learning takes place in the classroom, lab, and on the jobsite, students should also be open to learning whenever the opportunity arises.

“I would advise WECA Apprentices to learn as much as they can in the classroom and in the field and encourage them to learn why they are doing what they are doing. There may not always be time on the job to get deep into why things are done in a specific way, but Apprentices can always do additional research or talk to other electricians or instructors to gain that knowledge,” says Bob.

Bob also has a rich personal life outside of teaching. He has been married to his wife, Johanna, for 21 years, and together they have a 20-year-old son, Ari. They also share two dogs: Rocky (a two-year-old Mini American Bulldog mix) and Bandit (an older mutt). When not spending time with his family or dogs, Bob enjoys working on the house and playing music—specifically the bass guitar, drums, and learning piano.

We’re excited to welcome you to the WECA family, Bob! Your dedication to teamwork and leveling up your knowledge is inspirational and will continue to reinforce the rock-solid bond the WECA instructional team already shares. 

 

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

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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.)

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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

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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

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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.

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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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Ready to get started?

Login to your GOWECA dashboard