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Wednesday, February 22, 2023   Spotlight on the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program

Celebrating Our First Two Years in Phoenix!

In Their Own Words: How Does the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program Benefit the Apprentices Enrolled?


In January 2021, WECA expanded into the state of Arizona and opened its first training facility in Phoenix's Sky Harbor Business Park under the skillful guidance of WECA Arizona Apprenticeship Manager and Instructor Keith Smart. 

We began instruction for our inaugural commercial electrical apprenticeship class in Arizona that month, training the employees of WECA Arizona founding member contractor Corbins. Corbins was soon joined by further member contractors and apprentices as word of the quality of WECA's program spread through Arizona. 

In May 2021, WECA's Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program also received college credit recommendations from the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). NCCRS college credit recommendations provide WECA commercial electrical apprentices in Arizona with the ability to gain access to college credit for completion of the program by using credit recommendations set forth by the NCCRS.

And in January 2023, WECA proudly graduated its inaugural Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2022 with a memorable graduation celebration at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Phoenix on Saturday, January 7th.

Our first two years in Arizona have been successful and gratifying, and we eagerly look forward to continuing to bring our world-class apprenticeship and training programs and business services for commercial electrical contractors to the Copper State. 

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Wednesday, February 22, 2023   Low Voltage Apprentice Applicants in California: WECA Member Contractors Want YOU

Apply Today!

Get paid to start a new career as a Low Voltage Technician with WECA's Low Voltage Apprenticeship program. Get hands-on learning and real-world skills in the classroom and on-the-job, and get paid while doing it. We currently have high need for Low Voltage apprentice applicants in California, so click below to apply, or share this with someone looking to get trained for a well-paid career with no student debt.

Learn more about WECA's Low Voltage Apprenticeship program below.

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WECA's apprenticeship programs have been called the best in the West. High graduation rates; great reviews from apprentices and contractors alike; to-the-point, up-to-date curriculum and on-the-job training, and a dedicated, experienced teaching staff and administration all contribute to the success of these programs.

Each apprentice enrolled in the Low Voltage Apprenticeship program works under the supervision of a journeyperson technician installing and testing, servicing and maintaining systems utilizing the transmission and/or transference of voice, sound, video and digital signals for commercial, educational, security and entertainment purposes, as well as for fire, life and safety purposes.

A WECA apprentice's tuition costs are paid for by the WECA member contractors who employ them. WECA apprentices attend classes in an accelerated and intensive format consisting of full-time classroom training and hands-on labs for consecutive weeks every five to seven months. Each two-week session is equal to one semester of classroom instruction. The rest of the time, apprentices are learning on the job and getting paid to do it! No college debt here. This is the alternative path to a rewarding and well-paying career.

WECA's Low Voltage Apprenticeship program is a three-year commitment to classroom and paid on-the-job training. We're actively seeking apprentices for our member contractors in California. Right now, there's little to no wait time for qualified applicants, so what are you waiting for? Click here to learn more and apply today!

Not for you? Please forward this email to someone in California who might be interested!

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Wednesday, February 22, 2023   WECA Utah: Pics from First Classes!

First Year, First Semester Commercial Electrical Apprentices Learn CPR in Virtual Reality; Apply Newfound Skills in Hands-On Labs









In WECA's Apprenticeship Program, the future of learning is today. Here are some pics of WECA's new first year, first semester Commercial Electrical apprentices in Utah utilizing Meta Quest VR headsets in the classroom last week, to learn how to safely and effectively administer CPR on-the-job. Exploring cutting-edge virtual reality for learning helps apprentices simulate real-world CPR conditions, gives them critical experience if the need arises, and sets them apart with advanced safety knowledge.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2023   The Jobsite Skills Acquisition Companion Guide for Electrician Trainees Pursuing the ET Program Cert

Also, Explore the Three Ways You Can Take the GetWired Path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate

WECA's Jobsite Skills Acquisition Companion Guide for Electrician Trainees pursuing the WECA ET Program Certification is meant to help you track your jobsite skills practice and progress. This guide can help you and your employer tie what you're learning in the classroom--especially if you've opted for fully online and/or self-paced course options--to what you're doing on the jobsite.



Download the guide here.

There are now three different ways for Electrician Trainees to take the WECA GetWired Path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate. Learn all about it with this video:


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Wednesday, February 22, 2023   Make Every Cent You Earn During Your Apprenticeship Count

Take Advantage of WECA's Financial Wellness Benefit for Apprentices: SmartDollar


 

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

Read more >>


Wednesday, January 25, 2023   Congratulations to the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2022!

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Gift Donors for Making Graduation Special! Plus, Watch the Graduation Video and Meet Some of Our Graduates



Thank you to our Arizona Graduation sponsors and gift donors for making the event extra special and memorable for our graduates and their guests!



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Watch: WECA Arizona Class of 2022 Graduation:



Meet Some of the Grads in Our First WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Graduating Class

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Erik Ramirez

Erik Ramirez, a WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2022 graduate, knew that his WECA education would be exceptional from the first class.

“After transitioning from a different institute over to WECA, in the first class I realized just how much better my education experience was going to be,” says Erik. “WECA’s staff is exceptional, and the instructor [Keith Smart, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program Manager and Instructor] was always there to support me and answer any question I had."

The quality of WECA’s education has also played a pivotal role in helping Erik prepare for his chosen career.

“Their curriculum offered a full range of topics that cover a lot of the fundamentals needed to succeed in this industry. Many of the hands-on labs were based on real-life situations in the field,” says Erik.

Additionally, Erik’s on-the-job training with his employer, WECA Arizona Founding Member Contractor Corbins, has provided opportunities to work alongside experienced coworkers and gain invaluable experience doing different scopes of work through various projects.

Outside of school and work, Erik credits his family with providing essential support every step of the way.

“The main factor that contributed to my success at WECA and in my career was and still is my family,” says Erik. “Without their support and motivation, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today.”

However, we suspect that Erik’s ambition and tenacity has also propelled him along his journey, as evidenced by his post-graduation plans.

“My plans after graduating are to keep growing in my career and knowledge. I won’t settle with just a journeyperson title. I want to be part of the next generation of leaders in the electrical industry,” says Erik.

Congratulations, Erik! We are proud of your hard work, determination, and success, and are confident that you will make an excellent future leader for Arizona’s commercial electrical industry.

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Chase Quillin

For WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2022 graduate Chase Quillin, WECA’s Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program and instructor Keith Smart have given him a new perspective on the electrical industry.

“My WECA experience has consisted of constant learning and exposure to new ideas in the electrical field with real-world experience to back it up,” says Chase. “When I go to a job site now, I can understand what it is we are installing and why. With the preparation and knowledge gained at WECA, combined with the skills I’ve gained on-the-job, I am ready to tackle any task presented to me.”

Chase says this is all thanks to Keith Smart, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program Manager and Instructor.

“Keith is an awesome instructor, and his experience is shown every day in class through his expounding on the material presented and ensuring everyone has a full understanding of the concepts presented,” says Chase.

Outside of the classroom, Chase’s employer – WECA Arizona Founding Member Contractor Corbins – has provided him with forepersons and journeyperson electricians who have not only led him, but showed him how to lead others. Such leadership gave Chase the opportunity to become a lead for his crew in the past year.

Thanks to his high-quality WECA education and steadfast guidance from his employer, Chase’s plans for the future are rock-solid.

“My goal is to continue refining my leadership skills, apply my credits [earned at WECA, whose apprenticeship programs have been awarded college credit recommendations by the National College Credit Recommendation Service] to an Associates degree, and I hope I get the opportunity to become a foreperson to continue passing on my knowledge,” says Chase.

Congratulations, Chase! We are pleased that WECA and Arizona Founding Member Contractor Corbins built up your leadership skills and paved the way for you to tackle the rest of your career in the commercial electrical industry! We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

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Aaron Reali

WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2022 graduate Aaron Reali credits his WECA education with giving him confidence, helping him develop problem-solving skills, and presenting excellent opportunities to lead and learn, and Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program Manager and Instructor Keith Smart with making his time at WECA challenging and rewarding.

“My education and training at WECA were really centered on real-life situations, helped me learn how to problem solve situations at work, gave me the confidence to have conversations with my leads, foremen, and superintendents about the work we’re performing, and I have been given the opportunity [by employer Corbins, a WECA Arizona Founding Member Contractor] to lead teammates. Also, Keith deserves a lot of the credit for the progress a lot of us have made,” says Aaron.

Another benefit of his WECA education, Aaron says, is learning in the classroom alongside his coworkers.

“We can talk about what we learned in class and bounce ideas off each other,” says Aaron. “Keith contributed real work examples and cited personal experiences, which helped a lot of us grasp certain concepts. Hands-on activities in class also helped build confidence in my work.”

Looking back on his WECA experience, Aaron encourages current and future WECA students to ‘take it all in.’

“It goes by so quickly and before you know it, graduation is happening. Really take advantage of the experience and the training. You’ll be surprised what you’re capable of if you just apply yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and volunteer for any opportunity because those can be your door to the next great step in your career,” says Aaron.

When it comes to next steps, Aaron is already carving a definitive pathway for his career in the commercial electrical industry.

“I’ve been given a great opportunity to lead a couple of my teammates in a job we are in right now,” says Aaron. “I’m excited to complete this job and continue to lead in other jobs and soon become a foreman for a couple of years and then transition into a superintendent role. I also plan to work with apprentices and help them out on their path.”





 
Read more >>


Wednesday, January 25, 2023   WECA Riverside Training Facility Spotlight: Commercial Electrical Apprentices Getting It Done











Read more >>


Wednesday, January 25, 2023   Low Voltage Apprentice Applicants in High Demand in Los Angeles, Orange, and Kern Counties

WECA Member Contractors Want YOU: Apply Today!


 

Get paid to start a new career as a Low Voltage Technician with WECA's Low Voltage Apprenticeship program. Get hands-on learning and real-world skills in the classroom and on-the-job, and get paid while doing it. We currently have high need for Low Voltage apprentice applicants from Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Kern County, so click below to apply, or share this with someone looking to get trained for a well-paid career with no student debt.

Learn more about WECA's Low Voltage Apprenticeship program below.

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

WECA's apprenticeship programs have been called the best in the West. High graduation rates; great reviews from apprentices and contractors alike; to-the-point, up-to-date curriculum and on-the-job training, and a dedicated, experienced teaching staff and administration all contribute to the success of these programs.

Each apprentice enrolled in the Low Voltage Apprenticeship program works under the supervision of a journeyperson technician installing and testing, servicing and maintaining systems utilizing the transmission and/or transference of voice, sound, video and digital signals for commercial, educational, security and entertainment purposes, as well as for fire, life and safety purposes.

A WECA apprentice's tuition costs are paid for by the WECA member contractors who employ them. WECA apprentices attend classes in an accelerated and intensive format consisting of full-time classroom training and hands-on labs for consecutive weeks every five to seven months. Each two-week session is equal to one semester of classroom instruction. The rest of the time, apprentices are learning on the job and getting paid to do it! No college debt here. This is the alternative path to a rewarding and well-paying career.

WECA's Low Voltage Apprenticeship program is a three-year commitment to classroom and paid on-the-job training. We're actively seeking apprentices for our member contractors in California--especially in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Kern County. Right now, there's little to no wait time for qualified applicants, so what are you waiting for? Click here to learn more and apply today!

Not for you? Please forward this email to someone who might be interested -- especially if they also live in Los Angeles County, Orange County, or Kern County!

Read more >>


Wednesday, January 25, 2023   Continue Your Journey Toward an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate This February

Take Advantage of Late Enrollment Fees Waived on Select Instructor-Led GetWired Classes Running in the First Half of the Month

No matter where you are in your Electrician Trainee Program Certificate journey, GetWired has just the class to bring you one step closer to completion.

This February, we've waived late enrollment fees on select instructor-led GetWired 102, 103, 104, 202, 203, 204, and 302 classes running in the first half of the month -- some of which are offered with your choice of onsite in-person labs or online labs. Classes start soon, so don't wait -- visit our course catalog to enroll in your desired course today!

And if you prefer to get things done on your own time, at your own pace, be sure to check out the self-paced online course option for GetWired 101-104.

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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 and parallel circuits; luminaries, fixtures, ballasts, and lamps, and more.

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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 and use of Ohm's Law in calculating basic measurements, and more.

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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.

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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, and more.

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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 earlier courses. Topics covered include: wiring materials; DC motor; sizing branch circuits, and more.

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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 expands on skills taught in previous courses. Topics covered include: transformers; special locations; hazardous locations, more.

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GetWired 302: Blueprint Reading Part 2: Electrical Work for Commercial Construction from the Ground Up, Part 2, is the tenth course in the path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate with WECA.

Key course subjects in this 42-hour course include: public utility requirements; electrical room layout; floor types and planning conduit runs, and more.

 

 


 

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Wednesday, January 25, 2023   WECA Commercial Electrical Apprentices: Important Health Benefit Summary and Notice Updates Within

Dear WECA Commercial Electrical Apprentices,

To view your health benefit summaries and annual notices, please login at www.goweca.com. Use your WECA student ID number and password to login, then navigate to "Commercial Apprentice Benefits."

The WECA health insurance provider is United Healthcare, which includes medical (HMO/PPO), dental (PPO), vision (PPO), Life/ADD and STD/LTD.

Please note that the United Healthcare dental PPO ID card only displays the subscriber's name. If dependents are covered, their name will not be displayed on the dental ID card.

Additionally, please note that United Healthcare does not send out vision ID cards. You may visit www.myuhcvision.com and register with United Healthcare (if you are not already registered) to print out a vision ID card.

If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Cormier, Insurance Administrator, at ccormier@goweca.com or at 877-444-9322 ext. 117.

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