Meet Some of the Inspiring Women in Our Programs and Go Behind the Scenes at Our Open Houses
Mariah Catuiza, WECA Fresno Commercial Electrical Apprentice
Mariah Catuiza, who works for WECA Member Contractor
Westech Systems and is a Commercial Electrical Apprentice at our Fresno Training Facility, explains the benefits of WECA's apprenticeship training program, tying it to her own career progression, and encouraging other women to consider the electrician career path:
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Amanda Young, WECA Sacramento Low Voltage Apprentice
Amanda Young, Low Voltage Apprentice at our Sacramento Training Facility who works for WECA Member Contractor
Intelecom Data and Fiber, discusses how fun and rewarding the work can be that she gets to undertake in WECA's apprenticeship training program. She talks about how the Low Voltage field covers a variety of technologies, and how she enjoys that she and other members of her cohort all get to work on different facets of the industry and share that knowledge with each other when they meet up in class. She strongly encourages other women to consider this career:
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Shannon Denetsosie, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice Graduate
Shannon Denetsosie, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice Graduate employed with WECA Member Contractor
Corbins, discusses her sense of accomplishment in completing the four-year program, and talks positively about how at first it was a little intimidating being on a worksite that was mostly men, but she quickly found that everyone helps each other out and "It's like you're getting more brothers in your family." Shannon says that she's loving what she does, and she encourages other women to go for it and explore electrical apprenticeship with WECA and this career!
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In Her Own Words: Shannon Denetsosie, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice Graduate
Content courtesy of Shannon Denetsosie
"Construction work was not new to me. Growing up on the Navajo reservation, I watched my grandfather work in mines and heard the stories of how he built the home that I was raised in with no training or schooling of any kind. Seeing what my grandfather built and later the buildings that my dad worked in as a welder, I was always so proud to know that my family had a hand in building things.
I went into construction at the age of 18 and worked as a laborer or welder's helper for a few years, until I became a mother at 20 years old. I became a stay-at-home mom for a year, then started working as a production worker, a picker, then one day I was given an opportunity to work as a Quality Control Inspector for a roofing company that produced roofing insulation. After that, I went on to work in quality positions in plastics and food companies.
During my last job before entering into electrical, I worked as a Production/Shipping/Quality Control Supervisor for a gelato company. As I worked, I attended Pima Medical Institute in Veterinary Technology. I graduated 9 years ago with an Associate degree. However, getting a job in that field is a lot harder than I expected and life sometimes does not allow you to continue what you aspired to do.
Going into the electrical trade was something that just happened after trying to make ends meet with just a warehouse position and crazy hours sometimes, but with very little pay to make ends up. To go into a specific trade, I had my fears and uncertainties of what I would have to deal with.
My first job as an electrical worker was with Delta Diversified at Desert Diamond Casino, where I learned how to terminate transformers, panels, dimmer panels, and all things electrical. I realized that I was good at what I was doing and became more interested in how everything worked.
I had planned to get into their apprenticeship program. However, their program did not fit my life. Then COVID hit and I was let go. I wanted to continue my journey in electrical, so through temp agencies I took jobs for electrical work or even QC work and put in applications with electrical companies.
After many interviews and no luck on anything, I decided to try getting back into veterinary.
Then I got an interview with Corbins and was hired that day in December 2020. Since that day, I went from being an electrical worker to an apprentice who is near the end of completing the program. (Editor's note: In the time since this was written, Shannon successfully completed and celebrated her graduation from WECA's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship in Arizona.)
I honestly did not think that I would be able to come this far. However, with Corbins' partnership with WECA, it has made it possible for me to work and be in school, and get tons of on-the-job training, especially with being a single mother of two.
The apprenticeship program fits my life as a single mother and I love to learn new things and how things work. Throughout all these events leading up to where I am now, being in the construction trade has helped me build confidence in myself as well as enable me to provide for my kids.
I am now in the QA/QC department and am still looking to progress and learn more skills in this trade.
As a mother and woman in the electrical trade, I have set an example for my kids that if mom can do this, they can do it and accomplish their dreams.
Now my son is currently working for Delta Diversified at the second Desert Diamond Casino being built. He plans to enroll in their apprenticeship program at their next session.
Now with my daughter in her senior year of high school, her goals are to be a veterinarian, a welder, a mechanic, and an electrician.
It fills me with pride as a mother and woman, that I could set an example for my kids that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.
All thanks to Corbins and their partnership with WECA. I continue to learn and have had more doors open up to learning more in this trade."
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Solei Donahue, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice
This Women in Construction Week 2025, WECA is pleased to reintroduce Solei Donahue, a WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice.
WECA previously spotlighted Solei’s accomplishments in June 2024, following her inspiring speech during the 2024 State Workforce Summit in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Solei, who is a Native American woman from the Gila River Indian Community in Sacaton, Arizona, joined the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program through WECA and her employer’s (WECA Arizona Founding Member Contractor Corbins) partnership with Grand Canyon University’s pre-apprenticeship program.
“I joined Corbins through a fifteen-week internship program at Grand Canyon University,” Solei said during her speech. “I decided it would be a good experience on my resume, and it would be useful for the future. But I knew once the second semester had started, that this was something I was interested in doing for the rest of my life.”
Solei also said during her speech that the pre-apprenticeship program “gave me confidence to keep pushing myself to stand for all the women in the workforce” and has aided her in “becoming a mature adult who is succeeding at life, in general…this program has given me all the tools and will continue to help me on my journey to becoming a future successful journeywoman.”
Looking back to when she started her official apprenticeship with WECA and Corbins, Solei reflects “I’ve always had an interest in doing the same things guys are doing, and when I found out they want women in construction, I was eager to join.”
Solei says that her first semester at WECA went by quickly but was motivating.
“It was a lot to learn, but I never got discouraged, because I was able to learn with my peers and the instructors are very helpful and encouraging,” Solei said. “I was able to gain new knowledge, and it has helped motivate me to keep furthering my education in the trade so I can help others who started out like me. It has allowed me to work independently in the field with the confidence in what I am doing every day.”
Solei’s positive experience with WECA and the industry leads her to believe that more women should pursue careers in the electrical industry because they will feel “empowered” and states her belief that women “often possess knowledge that others may not.”
Solei credits the powerful women who have “instilled confidence in her” with her success and determination.
“I’d like to thank Shelly Seitz for helping me be confident in my journey, and to the people who are more encouraging and accepting of women starting out in construction,” Solei said. “I’d also like to shout out my biggest supporter and the woman who made me who I am today—my mom, Janice. Without my mom, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am, or as passionate about speaking about my journey, no matter how hard it might have been. I have deep appreciation for everyone I’ve met on this journey and am very excited to see who I’ll meet in the future!”
Thank you for being part of the WECA family, and the growing cohort of women in the electrical industry, Solei! We are inspired by your dedication to encouraging women to join the electrical industry and your support for women already in the electrical industry. It is an honor to have you representing WECA (and women in the industry) in Arizona!
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Women in Construction Week 2025 Open House at WECA's Sacramento Region Office and Training Center
Women in Construction Week 2025 Open House at WECA's Phoenix Training Center/Arizona Headquarters
WECA Arizona hosted a Women in Construction Week 2025 open house in support of Women in Construction Week 2025 at our Phoenix Training Center/Arizona Headquarters on March 6.
The open house, which celebrated women in construction and educated attendees on the merits of WECA Arizona's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program, hosted attendees including secondary and post-secondary students, individuals pursuing career transitions, Phoenix-area electrical contractors and Phoenix-area community partners, educational partners and policy makers.
The highlight of the open house was a panel comprised of women from the apprenticeship and administrative sides of Phoenix's electrical industry. Participating in the panel were Shannon Denetsosie, WECA Arizona's first woman Commercial Electrical apprentice graduate and employee of WECA Arizona member contractor Corbins; Solei Donahue, a first-year WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical apprentice who works for Corbins; Arlev Oquendo-Boscan, a Quality Assurance Quality Control Inspector for Corbins and Ashley Whelihan, who works in Business Development for WECA Arizona Member Contractor K2 Electric.
The panel members provided insight into their reasons for working in the electrical industry and the rewards and challenges of doing so, and shared advice with attendees considering pursuing careers in the electrical industry.
Shelly Seitz, a program manager for Grand Canyon University's Center for Workforce Development, and Kate Glantz, the co-founder of Move Over Bob, a tradeswoman-led media and lifestyle brand, also attended the open house.
"The support of our partners is just as important as the efforts of our members in providing a quality view of the opportunity that awaits the women who would like to become tomorrow's electricians," said Heath Anderson, WECA Arizona's Outreach and Workforce Development Specialist. "We deeply appreciate Corbins, K2, and PCL for having staff on hand to speak to our guests about working in our trade. Several guests have already put in applications [for apprenticeship] with a few of our members. Hopefully, the coming years will see a greater number of women helping build the Arizona we want."
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K2 Electric employees there in support included (from left to right): Michelle Cameron, HR Recruiting; Stephanie Misplay, Workforce Planning Specialist; Amber Todd, HR Supervisor; Ashley Whelihan, Business Development, and Robyn Rosenboom, Director of Workforce Development
Corbins panel participants (from left to right): Solei Donahue; Shannon Denetsosie, and Arlev Oquendo-Boscan
Speaking panel of Corbins and K2 Electric employees included (from left to right): Shannon Denetsosie of Corbins; Arlev Oquendo-Boscan of Corbins; Ashley Whelihan of K2 Electric, and Solei Donahue of Corbins