Jonathan Espinoza, the Valedictorian of the WECA Southern California Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2024, already had some experience under his toolbelt when he started his WECA Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship journey in 2019.
Jonathan began working for WECA Member Contractor Blum & Sons Electric, Inc. in 2018. After a year with the company, Blum & Sons offered Jonathan the opportunity to apprentice with them, an opportunity Jonathan says, “opened up many doors for me.”
“My WECA education and on-the-job training with Blum & Sons was instrumental in helping me pass my state exam and become the journeyman I am today,” says Jonathan. “I believe there were many factors that contributed to my success—my coworkers’ help, my instructors’ guidance, and my determination and my desire to succeed. But, most importantly, the support system I had from my family.”
Looking back on his apprenticeship journey, Jonathan advises apprentices to push themselves during the rigorous times, because the hard work will be worth it in the long run.
Moving forward, Jonathan plans to continue his education and branch out into various fields of electrical work.
“I would like to give a great thank you to everyone at Blum & Sons for providing this opportunity that I never thought I would get, and for always supporting me and helping me along the way. Most importantly, I would like to thank my wife and children for always being my biggest support system and motivation,” says Jonathan.
Congratulations on your graduation and your Valedictorian achievement, Jonathan! We have no doubt that your determination and ambition will serve you well in all aspects of your electrical career!
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WECA Southern California Class of 2024 Residential Valedictorian Josh Nordholm, an employee of WECA Member Contractor Surfside Electric, credits his success to WECA’s educational programs, culture, staff, and instructors.
“WECA provided me with a fully equipped academic environment, a culture of excellence, and the staff and teachers who maintain high standards of learning, which were all conducive to preparing me for a career in the electrical trade,” says Josh. “In class, it was all about industry standards—this is how things should be done, and here’s what you need to know to get it done properly and safely.”
However, Josh says that his success was not linear and advises that current and future apprentices embrace that reality when faced with obstacles or doubt.
“I always strove for perfection in class and in the field. Did I always achieve it? Heck no! And that’s okay, but I can say that I gave it my all and I got as close to perfect as I was going to get. So, stick with it. There are some pretty intimidating aspects of the curriculum and the trade, but trust the process. WECA knows what they’re doing. And don’t be late on your dang time cards,” entreats Josh.
Reflecting more on his time in WECA’s Residential Electrical Apprenticeship Program, Josh shared lots of appreciation for his instructors and his boss at Surfside Electric, Ryan.
“Jaron, Neil, and Don all brought a unique flavor to the classroom, but all were equally committed to seeing us succeed. I’m pretty sure Jaron knows everything, and it was a pleasure to pick his brain,” reminisces Josh. “Neil was always talking to us about the bigger picture and helping us understand the nature of the job and situations we would likely face. Don is a real nice guy with insane grip strength, but there were no shortcuts in his class. If you asked him a question, he would tell you how to find the answer. You could ask him if it’s okay to wear blue on Tuesdays and he would ask ‘What’s the code say?’ I also appreciate my boss Ryan for sponsoring me through the apprenticeship and just being an understanding and supportive guy.”
Now that Josh has his Residential Electrical Apprenticeship Program certificate under his toolbelt, he reports that the sky is the limit for his future.
“I’ll keep learning and working for Surfside Electric,” says Josh. “I may go out on my own eventually, or I could go work for a facility and teach! The doors are now open.”
?Congratulations, Josh! Thank you for applying humor and humility to your WECA education, and for sharing those nuggets of wisdom with us. We look forward to following your endeavors—including maybe seeing you as an instructor in the halls of a WECA training facility in the future!
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WECA Southern California Class of 2024 Low Voltage Salutatorian Erik Martinez Jimenez’s WECA education was multifaceted.
“The WECA program was great for me, because I got to learn multiple systems, which helped me out once I was in the field,” reports Erik, an employee of WECA Member Contractor AMS.net. “WECA taught me multiple skills which I could use in the field, too.”
Erik also appreciates that WECA’s in-classroom education also focused on dissecting and disseminating apprentices’ on-job experiences.
“We did a lot of stuff in the field that we later discussed in class, like why we did things a specific way or why we ran cables a certain way. Class helped me understand why we terminated things on the field and the purpose of it,” says Erik.
Erik’s WECA apprenticeship education, coupled with guidance from apprenticeship instructors, helped him pass the California Voice Data Video Technician certification exam and excel on and off the jobsite.
“The material we went over in class helped me pass the VDV exam,” recalls Erik. “Instructors also guided me over the years and were always there for us if we needed help.”
He also says that “Having the support of my family, friends, instructors, and coworkers contributed to my success at WECA. My work ethic and hunger to learn were also big factors.”
For those wanting to replicate Erik’s drive and success, his advice is simple:
“Make yourself valuable by learning new things or getting certifications to show your hunger to succeed,” implores Erik. “Show your company that you want to be there by showing a great work ethic and by learning new things on your own. Always be on top of things when working with your coworkers, such as doing things without having them tell you. These three years go by fast, so enjoy your time as an apprentice and open your exam books throughout the years to be prepared [to pass the certification exam] by your third year.”
After graduating this fall, Erik has a laundry list of things he would like to accomplish.
“My plans are to become a lead for AMS.net, get a C7 contractors license in the future to start doing my own work, and get more certifications, such as BICSI, fire optic, and fire alarm certifications,” concludes Erik.
We love to see it—a graduate with the drive and determination to continually improve and craft their career! Congratulations on your graduation, Erik—we’ll be cheering you on as you conquer the industry!
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There's more than one way to become—and succeed as—an electrician through a WECA training program. Just ask Jacob Minkoff, the Salutatorian of the WECA Southern California Electrician Trainee Program Class of 2024.
Jacob’s on-the-job training with his contractor, coupled with the education he received through WECA’s Electrician Trainee Certification Program, prepared him to earn his general electrician journeyman certification in November 2023.
“My WECA education was very informative and wide-ranging in electrical knowledge. It prepared me for my career by providing me with the necessary knowledge, so I could understand and perform the required tasks in my career. Meanwhile, my on-the-job training with my employers prepared me for my career by allowing me to build skills and gain experience,” says Jacob.
As a student in the WECA Electrician Trainee Program, Jacob's recipe for success was similar to that of his apprenticeship counterparts. He attributes his success to “keeping up with the assigned reading and homework, signing on early to the lectures, participating in answering questions asked by the instructor, and continually practicing using the NEC code book as often as possible.”
“I’d also like to thank all of my instructors for sharing their electrical and code knowledge and experience, and for allowing the trade to continue to grow and expand this way,” says Jacob.
To succeed like he has, Jacob implores apprentices and GetWired students alike to take the development of knowledge in their trades seriously, to be vigilant in their applications of that knowledge when working, and to never stop learning.
Jacob takes the “never stop learning” mantra seriously—aside from continuing to grow in his electrical career, Jacob plans to someday pursue a degree in electrical engineering.
Congratulations, Jacob! Thank you for being a great example of success in the WECA Electrician Trainee Program, and we wish you the best in acquiring a degree in electrical engineering in the future!