b'The apprenticeship program offered through WECA is one electrical industryhad been providing both onsiteexample of how BYFAZ connects Arizonans with careers. and online learning for years and was well-positionedGilkey explains that if someone shows interest in becoming to respond quickly to the COVID-19 outbreak andan electrician, he or she would likely be funneled to WECA. Governor Newsoms stay-at home order."What\'s great about apprenticeships versus the community "This considerable head start enabled us to rapidlycollege route or a different electrical training program is that convert our onsite apprenticeship classes to onlineapprentices get their tuition completely paid for by their delivery when everything began escalating so quicklymember contractor," she says. "Throughout the four-year in early-mid March," said Michelle Gilkey, Director ofprogram, they\'re also earning full-time pay." Marketing/Communications, Learning, and Product atWECA.Sanders adds that part of BYFAZ\'s messaging is helpingstudents and parents understand that an apprenticeship is From its headquarters in the Sacramento suburb ofan education akin to going to college but with some distinct Rancho Cordova, WECAs staff developed a trainingadvantages. program that is fully online to assume the trainingresponsibilities of locations throughout California."If a young person starts an apprenticeship at the same timehis or her friend starts going to Arizona State University, How to Replenish the Ranks studies show that the person in the skilled craft will bemaking $5,000 more in the job they currently have Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, access tocompared with what the friend with the four-year degree training was an issue for the industry. Its anwill be making in a first job out of college. Plus, the investment in ones employees that is sometimesapprentice is debt-free," he says. hard for businesses to see, but is ever more importantas older electricians retire and need to be replacedUltimately, getting the message out will take time. Kinney with the next generation. notes that most people need to see an advertisement seventimes before it registers with them. Training improves retention, quality, productivity andsafety. Plus, training through apprenticeships is debt-"It\'s important for us to continue amplifying this message free and an excellent alternative to a four-yearthrough multiple channels and make sure that the target degree, Gilkey said. audience is going to receive the message in a way thatresonates with them," she concludes. "That\'s how we connect "We believe that effective training, using all of thewith the people who will benefit from these careers and help latest jobsite and learning technologies, is our secreteveryone involved in the industry as a result." weapon in attracting young people into these trades,Gilkey said.WECA: TRAINING IS A PATH TO RECOVERYPost COVID-19 World As part of the construction trades that have beenlargely deemed essential during the extreme socialdistancing policies of the present, electricalcontractors are still working. But the new COVID-19health and safety protocols are likely to stay in someform in a post-COVID-19 world. We welcome an ever-increased focus on jobsitesafety, Gilkey said.As seen in BizFed on April 16, 2020As the COVID-19 outbreak closed schools and leftmany teachers, parents, administrators and studentswondering how to adapt to distance learning, theWestern Electrical Contractors Association seizedthe moment. WECAas an association of merit shop electricalcontractors, as well as a trade school that providestraining programs, strong political and public affairsefforts, and specialized member services to the'