Brent Sisson, Northern California Low Voltage Apprenticeship Valedictorian
Please join us in congratulating Brent Sisson, the WECA Northern California Class of 2025 Low Voltage Apprenticeship Valedictorian, on his accomplishment!
Brent’s apprenticeship journey began with a tip from his father-in-law, who was the first to suggest he look into WECA.
Brent says that his WECA apprenticeship education has helped him learn proper terminology and code requirements for the jobsite, while his on-the-job training with WECA Member Contractor Howell Multimedia helped him figure out how to interpret what a foreman wants an employee to do, and in what manner.
Brent also attributes his success in his apprenticeship program to being studious and working well with classmates.
Brent encourages apprentices still on their journey to “Stick to the program and see it out. Don’t give up halfway. Apply yourself to every task you’re given. Most importantly, ask questions before making mistakes!”
Moving forward, Brent, who has already achieved California State Certification as a Voice Data Video Technician, plans to also pursue certification in Fire Life Safety and Residential Electrical.
Congratulations, Brent, on your graduation and Low Voltage Valedictorian accomplishment! We are glad that your WECA apprenticeship has provided a solid foundation for you to continue building your career upon, and look forward to your contributions to our industry!
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Chris Boles, Northern California Electrician Trainee Program Valedictorian
WECA congratulates Chris Boles, our Northern California Class of 2025 Electrician Trainee Valedictorian, on his achievement!
As an Electrician Trainee, Chris appreciated that WECA’s Electrician Trainee Program was easy to manage alongside a full-time job with his employer, Precision Electric, saying he never felt overwhelmed with balancing work and school.
“Working for Precision Electric while doing WECA helped me put two and two together,” said Chris. “Being able to learn about electrical and use that knowledge in field applications helped my progression into the trade. I started this trade with no experience and to be able to use the knowledge in the field right away as I was progressing with WECA also progressed me further into the company and built my confidence in the field.”
We asked Chris what advice he has for students still in the program, and his advice included “Use the platform to its fullest potential. If you take the time to study and look over everything they provide, you'll succeed in the program and realize how much easier the material will become to you. Ask questions! If you don't understand a subject or the material being under review, don't be afraid to ask the instructor for clarification. Sometimes that might mean staying after hours for a few minutes, but they will answer your questions. They are there for you to succeed. Lastly, work with your peers, you are all there for the same goal and you can all help each other succeed.
Last, but not least, Chris credited his success to his girlfriend, Cassie, his WECA instructors, and the entire WECA support team. “Cassie had the patience for me to do my schoolwork and would continually support me in finishing it. I would also like to shout out all of WECA. The team at WECA is great. They are always responsive to any concerns or problems via phone call or email. The in-person lab classes were also great; it helped put a face to some of the classmates and instructors. Lastly, the instructors at WECA are amazing, I didn't get a chance to meet all of them, but they all treated me with the same level of professionalism. The instructors always put in the extra effort that helped me succeed in the program.” Chris adds that he also benefitted from having a coworker that went through WECA, and that “he helped push me into starting the program and also kept up on progress to see how I was doing.”
After graduation, Chris is determined to keep pushing the limits of his skill and knowledge. “There is so much growth in electrical that I want to keep pushing the limits and my success. But most of all, I’m planning on getting a nice big yard for my best boy Hazy, who is a 16-month-old Golden Retriever.”
Congratulations, Chris, on your success and Electrician Trainee Program Valedictorian achievement! Thank you for sharing your tips for success with fellow and future students. WECA wishes you a long and successful electrical career and for a big backyard for Hazy!
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Jackson Hermoso, Northern California Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Salutatorian
Congratulations are in order for Jackson Hermoso, the WECA Northern California Class of 2025 Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program Salutatorian!
Jackson, an employee of WECA Member Contractor Vasko Electric, Inc., fondly looked back on his WECA apprenticeship as “a great experience I’m happy to have had” and specifically shared praise for recently-retired Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship instructor Zach Wallace, saying that Zach was “an awesome teacher who I can’t thank enough for preparing me for my licensing exam … Zach, I hope you’re enjoying your next chapter!”
“WECA gave me not only the code knowledge, but also the practical knowledge to be successful in the electrical trade. And my on-the-job training helped me apply the things that I learned at WECA to actual installations that we do in the field,” said Jackson.
Jackson's tenacity and engagement with his work and studies also contributed to his Commercial Electrical Salutatorian achievement. For apprentices still in the program, Jackson recommends that “You’re only going to get out of the program what you put into it,” said Jackson. “If you’re not engaged in class or on-the-job, then you’re depriving yourself of the knowledge and the tools you need to be successful.”
Post-graduation, Jackson wants to continue building his career at Vasko Electric, Inc. and work toward solid career milestones.
“I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to move into the office [at Vasko] as project engineer, and hopefully I can move into project management in the future,” said Jackson.
Congratulations, Jackson, on diligently working your way toward your Salutatorian achievement and your project engineer position at Vasko Electric, Inc.! We can tell that your work ethic will continue to take you far.