WECA celebrated its 95th birthday on Tuesday, April 9th! We're thrilled to celebrate 95 years of serving our member contractors and industry partners, educating the finest electricians and low voltage technicians in the Western United States, and advocating for the merit shop industry in California, Arizona, and Utah. Thank you for being part of our legacy, and we look forward to the next 95 years of excellence with all of you.

We would like to congratulate WECA Member Contractor Barnum & Celillo Electric Inc. for being named to the Sacramento Business Journal's Top Solar Contractors in the Sacramento Area list! Congratulations, Barnum & Celillo!

First year, second semester WECA Low Voltage apprentices recently piloted virtual reality Confined Spaces training from developer PaleBlue.

In this virtual and immersive safety training, they practiced entering a space with limited entry and egress, prepared for accessing a confined space, and then tried out two roles: an entrant and an attendant.

Our instructors and apprentices gave the training two thumbs up. WECA is now rolling it out to all of our Low Voltage apprentices in their first year and second semester of their Apprenticeship program with us, and this VR training will be coming soon to our Commercial and Residential Electrical Apprenticeship programs, too!

 

Dear WECA Member Contractors, Industry Partners, and Supporters,

WECA is proud to announce the Utah Graduating Class of 2024!

Our Commercial Electrical Apprentices in the Class of 2024 have successfully completed their education with WECA.

Help us honor their achievement with your sponsorship of their graduation event on:

Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:30 PM

DoubleTree by Hilton Salt Lake City Airport

5151 West Wiley Post Way

Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Help us make their graduation memorable--your sponsorship can allow you and members of your team to attend the graduation event, which is especially meaningful for grads if you're their contractor. Plus, you can meet WECA instructors and staff, other member contractors, and electrical industry supporters as well. Sponsorship packages at different levels may include tickets to attend the graduation, ads in the graduation program, recognition of your sponsorship during the ceremony, mention of your support on our website, in our newsletters, and over social media.   

Please consider the sponsorship opportunities at the link below, and thank you for your support of electrical training, apprenticeship, and workforce development for Utah!

Sincerely,

The WECA Graduation Team

Reserve your sponsorship package

Our Summer 2024 (Jul - Sep) course catalog is now available on our website for your electrician trainees in our certificate program, and journey worker continuing education students who need 32 hours this year. GetWired instructor-led classes can fill quickly. Be sure to encourage your employees to secure their spot!

View the Electrician Trainee course catalog

Jump to the Journey Worker continuing education course catalog

They can also enroll over the phone at (877) 444-9322, in person at our Rancho Cordova training facility, or by email at info@goweca.com.

Content Courtesy of WECA Industry Partner Cook Brown, LLP


 

Content courtesy of: WECA Industry Partner Cook Brown, LLP

Court Decision Answers the Question: When Are Employees On-the Clock?

In Huerta v. CSI Electrical Contractors, a decision focusing on the construction industry, the California Supreme Court recently provided specific guidance on whether time spent waiting for a vehicle inspection is compensable. The Court also provided guidance on the factors which must be considered when determining whether time spent driving to a remote site after such inspection should be paid as compensable travel time, as well as whether thirty-minute meal breaks should be paid if workers remain on site while on break. While the decision is expressly limited to on-site construction (Wage Order 16), the principles articulated by the Court apply to every California worksite. Accordingly, the Opinion offers helpful insights to all workplaces where employees undergo entrance or exit routines before or after work.

The issues came before the Supreme Court – not through the normal appellate procedures – but by means of a specific request from the federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for guidance on California law. In requesting this assistance, the Ninth Circuit noted the issues “have significant public policy implications for California workers and employers” and no current California case addresses them specifically.

Mandatory Vehicle Stop

In resolving the first issue, the Supreme Court closely examined the circumstances at the site where plaintiff, George Huerta, was employed. Specifically, it noted that workers were required to pass through a security gate before entering the project’s perimeter. The security gate was located several miles from the perimeter. To pass through the security gate, workers had to show a badge and, when asked, allow a guard to peer into their vehicles. The inspection process could take up to a minute or more per vehicle. Based upon these facts, the Supreme Court concluded that when an employee spends time on an employer’s premises awaiting and undergoing an employer-mandated entrance or exit security procedure, such as a vehicle inspection, such time shall be compensated.

In resolving the second issue, the Supreme Court was required to consider whether the mandatory vehicle stop amounted to an initial work location, comparable to a requirement to check in at a shop prior to heading out to the worksite. The Court recognized that when employees are required to “check in” at a certain location, all time after the check-in should be paid. The Court concluded that the circumstances of a vehicle inspection, however, do not equate to a check-in unless it is required for reasons other than accessing the worksite. The Court expressly held that if the employee was required to pick up supplies, receive work orders, or otherwise perform any work at or during the inspection process, the time spent driving would be compensable.

The Court further clarified that the Employer’s imposition of certain restrictions when driving from the vehicle inspection site to the parking lot did not transform commute time to compensable work time. Although those restrictions – speed limits, bans on passing, smoking and the use of earpods – arguably benefitted the employer, the Court considered them common sense safety rules that did not convert the travel to work time.

Meal Break Rules

The third issue was complicated by the applicability of two collective bargaining agreements governing the project. Under Wage Order 16, meal break rules under the Labor Code do not apply when a collective bargaining agreement governs the worker and addresses meal periods, hours worked, and provides wages thirty percent higher than minimum wage. The Court held that although specific meal break rules under the Labor Code were inapplicable due to the collective bargaining agreements, the employer was still bound to pay employees for time spent on a meal break when and if the employee was restricted to the premises. The Court held that the employer and applicable union could negotiate for an on-site break, but such break would have to be paid.

Takeaways

For non-construction employers, the most important takeaways in the case are two-fold. First, it is a reminder that any time – even less than a minute – spent prior to or after work on activities that benefit an employer are likely to be compensable, even if such activities can be done from the comfort of the employee’s vehicle. Second, notwithstanding the obligation to pay for time spent during a vehicle stop and inspection, the time spent after the inspection to the actual worksite is probably not compensable. Moreover, employers can impose safety restrictions on access roads without concern that such safety measures will transform commute time to paid time.

WECA CEO Don Black Discusses Regional Workforce Development Needs and Construction Industry Challenges with San Diego Elected Officials and Staff; Gives Tours of Our San Diego Training Center
 

A dispatch from Dave Everett, WECA's new Southern California Government Relations Representative:

WECA’s staff works hard to protect the rights of merit shop business owners and their employees throughout the West. Part of that work is showing our elected officials and their staff members first-hand the great work WECA is doing in workforce development at our San Diego Training Center.

To that end, WECA CEO Don Black was recently in San Diego and had a chance to sit down with some of our local elected officials here in San Diego County and discuss the workforce development needs of the region as well as some of the challenges facing the construction industry in California.

After a breakfast event with San Diego Supervisor candidate and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, WECA's CEO met with with California State Assembly candidate and former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio and staff from Assemblymember Chris Ward's office and gave them a brief tour of our WECA facilities in San Diego. It was a good opportunity to highlight the many ways WECA’s apprentices learn in the classroom and to see the hands-on, competency-based labs they undertake. The day concluded with an opportunity to talk with State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, State Senator Catherine Blakespear and Vista Mayor John Franklin as they celebrated the AGC National Convention hosted here in San Diego and Thomas L Brown becoming AGC of America Board President in 2024.

WECA members embrace the idea that political action is not simply prudent, but essential to preserving and enhancing their ability to pursue business opportunities in the public and private marketplace.







Above, WECA CEO Don Black gave California State Assembly candidate and former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio a tour of WECA's San Diego electrical apprenticeship and training center and discussed WECA's workforce development efforts

Below, Don and Jeff Van de Moere, WECA's Membership Manager for California and Utah, met with Assemblymember Chris Ward's staff at our San Diego facility and highlighted for them the many ways our electrical and low voltage apprentices and students learn in our classroom and labs.

 

Like many of WECA’s industry partners, our newest one, DeWalt, is time-tested. Since founder Raymond DeWalt invented the radial arm saw in the 1920s and “ushered in a new era of jobsite productivity,” DeWalt has provided the construction industry with safe, high quality, durable, and innovative tools and power tools.

Currently, DeWalt offers more than 1,000 products that focus on the professional end user. These products include power tools, hand tools, accessories, storage, anchors, and fasteners. These tools are stand-alone products but also include systems such as cordless platforms, Perform and Protect, Tool Connect, and more. DeWalt also offers trade solutions such as software and online safety training courses.

Additionally, DeWalt also offers product lines and solutions built specifically for the electrical industry. DeWalt’s software offerings designed for electrical workflows include MSUITE, HangerWorks PRO, and TOOL CONNECT Site Manager. Meanwhile, DeWalt offers tools made for fabricating and installing, as well as tools aimed toward stripping, crimping, and maintenance. Lastly, DeWalt offers myriad anchors and fasteners that work well with comprehensive electrical workflows. 

“WECA Member Contractors would benefit from using DeWalt’s products, systems, and solutions because DeWalt is leading the way in the era of modern construction sites and constantly developing new technology, products, and software to improve efficiencies,” says Justin Miller, DeWalt’s San Diego-based Trade Specialist.

To that end, DeWalt has partnered with WECA because “WECA is where apprentices learn and grow, and DeWalt wants to be involved. We feel it’s important for apprentices to have the opportunity to have experience with DeWalt tools,” according to Miller.

WECA Member Contractors interested in procuring products, systems, and solutions from DeWalt can reach out to the following contacts:

·        Justin Miller (Trade Specialist, San Diego)

o  Phone: (951) 216-5958

o  Email: justin.miller@sbdinc.com

·        Nate Longabach (Trade Specialist, San Diego)

o  Phone: (949) 351-5154

o  Email: nate.longabach@sbdinc.com

·        Erick Cornejo (Account Manager, San Diego)

o  Phone: (562) 377-6195

o  Email: erick.cornejo@sbdinc.com

Thank you, DeWalt, for being a WECA Industry Partner! Together, we look forward to continuing WECA’s tradition of innovation and excellence in the West. 

Guidance from Dennis Cook, Partner at Cook Brown, LLP

A WECA Industry Partner


 

When Is Entering and Leaving a Jobsite Compensable Work Time?

Guidance from Dennis Cook, Partner at Cook Brown, LLP

The question of when an employee’s compensable workday begins seems simple enough; it’s when an employee starts work, right? However, since California law says that “hours worked” includes all time when an employee is under the control of an employer or is suffered or permitted to work, the workday has been stretched to include time that historically may not have been treated as paid time.

The California Supreme Court reviewed another example of this recently in the case of Huerta v. CSI Electrical Contractors where the court analyzed three issues under Wage Order No. 16 applicable to onsite construction. One of these issues involved whether workers employed by an electrical contractor on a solar project who entered the jobsite in personal vehicles and waited at a security gate for a security guard to scan identification badges and inspect vehicles is compensable hours worked.  

The Court held that this time may be compensable “employer-mandated travel” under Section 5(A) of Wage Order No. 16 which says “All employer-mandated travel that occurs after the first location where the employee's presence is required by the employer shall be compensated at the employee's regular rate of pay or, if applicable, the premium rate … .” The Court said that an employee's presence is “required by the employer” within the meaning of Section 5(A) when it is for an employment-related reason and not for the practical necessity of reaching the worksite. 

In addition to time required for access and inspection at a security gate, other examples of compensable worktime at the beginning of the workday would include:

·        picking up tools or equipment at the shop before going to the jobsite;

·        coming to the shop or yard and loading material; and

·        having employees meet at the shop or other location to receive orders or directives.

General contractors usually control access to jobsites and subcontractors should be mindful of these rules. Generally, merely entering through a jobsite gate and travelling from the gate to a parking lot is not compensable worktime, but the court in the CSI case suggests that relevant factors to determine whether this time could be converted to compensable work time are:

·        the purpose served by the employee’s presence at the gate;

·        the activities that occur at the gate; and

·        how much time is spent there. 

The extent of travel restrictions on the jobsite will also be examined, but the court noted that rules designed to ensure safe, lawful, and orderly conduct while travelling are appropriate and do not impose a level of control causing the travel time to be compensable.

The court also reviewed the jobsite exiting process and imposed a stricter standard determining that an employee’s time spent on an employer’s premises awaiting and undergoing an employer-mandated exit procedure, including a visual inspection of the employee’s personal vehicle, is compensable work hours under Section 2(J) of Wage Order No. 16. While the court recognized that merely stopping at a gate in a parking garage probably is not compensable work time, it noted in this instance that “when an employee spends time on his employer's premises awaiting and undergoing an exit security procedure that includes a vehicle inspection causing delay and that is mandated by the employer for its own benefit, the employee—even when in his personal vehicle—is subject to the employer's control, and the time is compensable”. As noted, a good rule-of-thumb is to review the GC’s jobsite access procedures to determine the level of control related to the exiting procedure. Flashing a badge to exit is probably insufficient to require the time to be compensated, but if this is accompanied by a visual inspection, the time spent exiting may be converted to compensable work time.

Content Courtesy of U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division


 

Content courtesy of: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division

On April 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD) updated the Prevailing Wage Resource Book (PWRB). In light of the recent publication of the final rule, Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations, which took effect on October 23, 2023, WHD conducted a comprehensive review of the PWRB to simplify the language, restructure the format in a more intuitive manner, and provide additional guidance and examples where stakeholders routinely requested clarification.

Contractors, contracting agencies, enforcement staff, unions, associations, and workers have long relied upon the PWRB to gain a better understanding of the labor standards on certain federal and federally funded contracts including those involving the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), the Service Contract Act (SCA), the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act (PCA), the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA), the Copeland "Anti-Kickback" Act, and Executive Orders impacting federal contracts.

The updated PWRB discusses WHD’s policies in a way that is more easily accessible to all stakeholders and provides them with a better understanding of the labor standards that apply to many federal and federally funded contracts. 

For more information on the labor standards on certain federal and federally funded contracts, please visit our Government Contracts Compliance Assistance webpage.

Content Courtesy of WECA Industry Partner Cook Brown, LLP


 

Content courtesy of: WECA Industry Partner Cook Brown, LLP

Virtually all California employers must have a workplace violence prevention plan in place by July 1, 2024. 

The Workplace Violence Prevention Plan

Cal/OSHA's model plan offers a starting point for creating a compliant plan. In addition to a model workplace violence prevention plan, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has also published a general fact sheet to help employer’s create and implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) that meets the requirements imposed by Labor Code section 6401.9. 

Read the rest of the plan here.

Get Guidance on Navigating Compliance Requirements Under AB 2143/PUC 769.2, Including Prevailing Wages and Certified Payroll Reporting?

Content Courtesy of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

Join us on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 1:00 PM for an informative webinar for the Solar-Utilities Reporting, Guidance, and Education (SURGE) initiative directed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). SURGE is the official platform for AB 2143 reporting and contractor support. This webinar is designed to provide solar contractors with essential guidance on navigating compliance requirements under AB 2143/PUC 769.2 which includes prevailing wages and certified payroll reporting.

For more information about SURGE, please visit our website. Additionally, if you have any questions about the event, please feel free to email events@cpucsurge.org.

National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Phoenix Chapter Had Heath Anderson, WECA Arizona's Outreach and Workforce Development Specialist, As Guest Speaker at March Meeting




 

Last week, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Phoenix Chapter invited Heath Anderson, WECA Arizona's Outreach and Workforce Development Specialist, to be a guest speaker at their chapter's March meeting.

The invitation spurred from WECA's chance encounter with Samantha Miller, Construction Operations and EHS Platform Account Executive for WECA Industry Partner ToolWatch, at the fall 2023 GC Expo. After learning more about WECA, ToolWatch became a WECA Industry Partner.

ToolWatch also shares WECA's passion for encouraging more women to join the electrical trade. To that end, Miller invited Heath to be a guest speaker at some ToolWatch events, on an episode of ToolWatch's Women in Innovation podcast in December, and at the NAWIC Phoenix Chapter meeting in March.

"The audience were great hosts and provided great discussion," Heath says of the NAWIC Phoenix Chapter meeting. "The members appreciated the efforts that have gone into the marketing materials aimed at helping women see the benefits of a career as an electrician."

Thank you, NAWIC and ToolWatch, for inviting Heath to be a guest speaker at the Phoenix Chapter's March meeting. Every chance we get to educate the industry on how to encourage women to pursue careers in the electrical trades is very gratifying.

Part 2 (Skilled and Trained Workforce) on Apr. 10

Registrations Are Complimentary for WECA Members as a Member Benefit


 

Join Cook Brown Partner Carrie Bushman for Part 2 of our two-part webinar series on April 10. Part 2 will focus on Skilled and Trained Workforce, where Carrie will discuss:

• Recognizing to which types of projects Skilled and Trained Workforce requirements apply
• Understanding apprentice graduation requirements
• Compliance and enforcement

Register today to join us online on April 10, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM, for Part 2 of this informative webinar series.

This webinar is free for WECA Member Contractors and their employees. All others are $95/registration.

Register for the April 10 webinar here!

 

WECA’s new Industry Partner, Siemens, has been shaping the world we live in today for over 100 years.

“For 177 years, Siemens has played its part in shaping the world we live in today. We have turned great inventions into innovative technologies and risen to the challenges of our time, transforming everyday life for people around the world. We are now helping to change the world to create a sustainable future for generations to come. From electrified factories to revolutionizing and transforming entire industries digitally, from the first electric trains to seamless, safer, and more sustainable transportation, from the first x-ray systems to the digital age of imaging, diagnostics, and therapy…we are building the future,” says Derek Catalano, Siemens’ Senior Sales Executive for Fire Solutions.

And now, Siemens wants to bring their 177 years of experience and innovation to WECA and its Members. Today, Siemens offers myriad solutions to consumers – such as security, building automation, energy services, and fire alarm and suppression systems.

“Siemens’ solutions include installation, monitoring, and preventative maintenance and test and inspection services across all vertical markets,” says Catalano. “We distinguish our products and services from competitors through a focus on innovation, quality, sustainability, and digitalization. We also emphasize cutting-edge technology, comprehensive solutions, and a global presence, positioning ourselves as leaders in sectors like energy, healthcare, and industrial automation. Siemens places a strong emphasis on research and development, customer service, and partnerships to drive differentiation in the market.”

Siemens became a WECA Industry Partner to network with other WECA Industry Partners and with WECA Member Contractors, participate in events, and pursue possible sponsorships of those events. However, Siemens is also excited to work with WECA Members to offer their products and services at a discount on a case-by-case basis.

“WECA Members can benefit from Siemens products and services due to our reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation. Siemens offers a wide range of products and solutions for various applications, including energy distribution, building automation, industrial control, and more. By using Siemens products, WECA Members can access state-of-the-art technology, efficient solutions, and comprehensive support. This ultimately helps Members to deliver high-quality projects, improve operational efficiency, and stay competitive in the industry,” says Catalano.

WECA Members interested in working with Siemens to utilize their solutions can contact Derek Catalano, Senior Sales Executive in Fire Solutions, at 916-402-0945 or derek.catalano@siemens.com.

Thank you, Siemens, for becoming a WECA Industry Partner! We hope your extensive expertise can be leveraged into comprehensive and dynamic solutions for our members! 

Join Heath Anderson, WECA Arizona's Outreach and Workforce Development Specialist, and NAWIC on Mar. 26 in Scottsdale from 5-7 PM

Tickets at QR Code Below

Join WECA at North State Building Industry Foundation's 8th Annual Skilled Trades Job Fair on Apr. 13


 

When: Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Sacramento Scottish Rite Masonic Center

              6151 H Street

              Sacramento, CA 95819

What: Meet over 200 individuals seeking job opportunities in the homebuilding space

Registration is now open and spaces are filling up fast!

Register here!

 

WECA held its annual Women in Construction Week open house on Thursday, March 7 at its California headquarters and training facility in Rancho Cordova, CA.

The event drew numerous women interested in exploring career opportunities in the electrical and low voltage industries.

Diane Trotter, WECA's Workforce Development Supervisor, hosted the open house.

During the open house, Diane hosted a presentation and Q&A session for attendees before showing them around WECA's state-of-the-art labs and classrooms. During the presentation and Q&A portion of the open house, Diane was joined by Autumn Jackson, WECA Commercial and Low Voltage Apprenticeship graduate and current foreperson for Vanden Bos Electric, Amanda Young, a second-year Low Voltage apprentice, and Hershel Baser, an Apprenticeship Consultant for the Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Autumn spoke about her current role at Vanden Bos Electric and shared what she gained from her apprenticeships at WECA, while Amanda discussed her current apprenticeship experience, stating that she enjoys learning things in class that she doesn't get to learn in the field because it makes her a more well-rounded apprentice.

For the lab and classroom tour portion of the open house, Diane was joined by Jimmie Slemp, Lead Instructor and Lab Manager, and LaKeal Morris, Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship instructor. Jimmie and LaKeal performed and assisted attendees with hands-on lab demonstrations.

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the Women in Construction Week 2024 open house! We were thrilled to educate more women on the merits of electrical and low voltage apprenticeships and careers in California, and can't wait to see them become WECA apprentices soon!

Don't Miss Out: Registrations are Complimentary for WECA Members as a Member Benefit

?Join WECA and Cook Brown, LLP for a Two-Part Webinar Series on Prevailing Wage and Skilled and Trained Workforce

Part 1 (Prevailing Wage) on Apr. 3

Part 2 (Skilled and Trained Workforce) on Apr. 10

Join Cook Brown Partner Carrie Bushman April 3 for Part 1 of a two-part webinar series on Prevailing Wage and Skilled and Trained Workforce. Part 1 will cover Prevailing Wage, including:

• Identifying and understanding the wage determination applicable to your project
• Taking credit for employer-provided fringe benefits
• Record-keeping
• Apprenticeship compliance
• Enforcement

Register today to join us online on April 3, from 8:30 to 11 AM, for Part 1 of this informative webinar series.

This webinar is free for WECA Member Contractors and their employees. All others are $95/registration.

Register for the April 3 webinar here!

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Join Cook Brown Partner Carrie Bushman for Part 2 of a two-part webinar series on April 10. Part 2 will focus on Skilled and Trained Workforce, where Carrie will discuss:

• Recognizing to which types of projects Skilled and Trained Workforce requirements apply
• Understanding apprentice graduation requirements
• Compliance and enforcement

Register today to join us online on April 10, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM, for Part 2 of this informative webinar series.

This webinar is free for WECA Member Contractors and their employees. All others are $95/registration.

Register for the April 10 webinar here!

Come Celebrate Our Graduates' Hard Work and Accomplishments


 

Save the date! WECA's 2024 Commencement Ceremonies for our Utah Graduating Apprenticeship Class of 2024 will be held on June 22nd!

Please watch your inboxes for ticketing and sponsorship details as this event draws closer. We look forward to celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our graduates!

 

WECA's Sacramento-area Member Contractors regularly dominate the Sacramento Business Journal's Top Electrical Contractors lists, and we've done it again in 2024! Please join us in congratulating the following WECA Member Contractors for demonstrating merit shop excellence in the Sacramento area and beyond:

 

Alessandro Electric, Inc.

Barnum & Celillo Electric, Inc.

Bosley Electric Company

Butterfield Electric Inc.

Garrahan Electric, Inc.

Helix Electric, Inc.

KS Telecom, Inc.

North State Electrical Contractors, Inc.

Rex Moore Group

Royal Electric Company

Setpoint Control, Inc.

Vasko Electric, Inc.

 

Quality and quantity prevail at WECA: three of our Arizona Member Contractors were named among the largest electrical contracting companies in the Phoenix area by the Phoenix Business Journal! All three moved up in the rankings this year. Please join us in congratulating our WECA Member Contractors:

Corbins

K2 Electric

Specified Electrical Contractors (SECON)

We're celebrating Women in Construction Week 2024 this week, and WECA is highlighting some of the women in our programs: Apprentices, Electrician Trainees, and an Instructor!

Video: Three Women's Journeys into WECA Apprenticeship



Video: Spotlight on WECA Commercial Electrical Apprentice Tyana LaBranch



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

Electrician Trainee Dale Canyon


 

It was the theater that brought Electrician Trainee Dale Canyon to the electrical industry.

“I was working as the technical director of a local theater company,” says Dale. “They couldn’t afford to pay me, so I decided to make more money and expand my knowledge base as an electrician.”

As an Electrician Trainee, Dale works for WECA Member Contractor Fort Bragg Electric during the day and completes self-paced GetWired courses by night.

“I’ve been progressing through the self-paced GetWired courses online. Currently I’m finishing up GetWired 103 and looking forward to starting GetWired 104 and eventually the GetWired 200 series. Doing school and work concurrently takes a lot of discipline, but I’ve found a good rhythm,” says Dale.

Additionally, as an Electrician Trainee, Dale has enjoyed seeing her coursework and experiences on-the-job merge occasionally.

“Sometimes the course work is easily synchronized with my field work,” says Dale. “It’s pretty cool to see concepts I’m learning about come to life on-the-job.”

Speaking to being a woman in the electrical industry, Dale reports that the experience is mostly the same as that of her male coworkers, but adds that it does come with perks, both unexpected and expected.

“Nice old ladies get really excited when you show up to do their electrical work. I also enjoy the money and having an expanded skillset,” says Dale.

Dale attributes her success in the Electrician Trainee Program to myriad people.

“I’d like to shout-out to WECA Online Education Manager Galen Eckert for taking the time to answer my questions, my employer Fort Bragg Electric for giving me a shot, and to Ron Grapp for being a rockin’ mentor,” says Dale.

We are glad that you have brought your unique background and outlook on the industry to WECA’s Electrician Trainee Program, Dale, and are excited to see where it continues to take you on this journey! Break a leg!

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

WECA GetWired Instructor Rika Casseres



 

In celebration of Women in Construction Week 2024, WECA is pleased to spotlight Rika Casseres, the first woman to join the WECA instructor team. 

Rika, who teaches GetWired online courses through WECA’s Electrician Trainee Program, has utilized her electrician training in myriad ways and places. After completing apprenticeships and working with Allied Contractors, Rika became an electrical engineer to learn more about the theoretical aspects of electricity.

However, Rika’s heart always remained in the “nuts and bolts of hands-on electrical installations”, so she returned to the electrical industry and eventually landed in her current position with WECA.

“My career in electricity has taken me from Hawaii to California. I enjoy the freedom and versatility that working in the trades has offered me, and I have especially enjoyed sharing my skills as an electrician with future homeowners at Habitat for Humanity. It was with Habitat for Humanity that I understood the value of electrical work in the community,” says Rika.

In her current role, Rika teaches students about the tangible, intangible, and practical concepts of electricity.

“My motivation as a WECA instructor is to make students aware of the opportunities we as electricians have to bring power to our communities and businesses,” says Rika. “As electricians, we work with a natural force that moves as fast as light, has the potential of the sun’s energy, and yet is mostly invisible – therefore, learning how to harness and use that force safely is key to our trade. On a practical level, my goal is to educate students in the areas of safety, NEC compliance, and common practices for electrical installations.”

Further, Rika says that she enjoys teaching at WECA because WECA’s GetWired online program and Electrician Trainee Program provide an accessible platform for anyone who wants to be an electrician.

“WECA’s coursework breaks down the National Electrical Code requirements, along with best installation practices, into bite-sized pieces that build on each other,” says Rika. “Anyone who is willing to show up and do the work is welcome and will succeed.”

Thank you, Rika, for bringing your robust experience and contemplative and altruistic insight to WECA and the GetWired Electrician Trainee Program! We’re thrilled to have you here!

 

 

 

The WECA Arizona team recently took advantage of a rare class-free week (thanks to Presidents' Day in February) to connect with future electricians at the WECA Phoenix Training Facility and Arizona headquarters.

Keith Smart, WECA Arizona's Apprenticeship Manager and Instructor, hosted students and teachers from Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Arizona at the facility for a tour and immersive overview of WECA Arizona's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program.

During the tour, Keith led the guests through a detailed explanation of the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program and showcased the career opportunities available to apprentices through the program.

The visit was in the works for awhile -- teachers at Red Mountain High School came across WECA Arizona's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program at the 2023 Arizona Construction Career Days event, which WECA attended. Their interest was piqued, and they later requested a tour of the WECA Phoenix Training Facility and Arizona headquarters to introduce their students to the possibilities and career opportunities that WECA Arizona's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program offers apprentices.

The WECA Arizona team greatly enjoyed hosting the students and teachers from Red Mountain High School, and eagerly look forward to seeing some of the students enter WECA Arizona's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program someday!

 

In December 2023, WECEF was pleased to announce the Frank Vellutini Memorial Apprenticeship Scholarship 2024. The scholarship was created in memory of Frank Vellutini, longtime owner of Royal Electric Company and WECA member since 1971. Frank was actively involved with WECA and responsible for extraordinary contributions to WECA's growth and success for many years. Frank served on the WECA Board of Directors and the WECA Apprenticeship and Training Trust from 1992 to 2015. Royal Electric Company was one of the founding members that established the Western Electrical Contractors Education Foundation (WECEF).

It's our honor to congratulate the first WECA apprentice recipients of the Frank Vellutini Memorial Apprenticeship Scholarship 2024. Please join us in congratulating:

Moses Melgar (CA)

Garrett Shell (CA)

Andrew Holdaway (AZ)

Mark Belogub (CA)

Nicolas Craig (CA)

Devon Sprague (CA)

Damon Collins (AZ)

Joseph Discoe (UT)

Jairo Felix (CA)

Demetrios Pathammavong (CA)

Dan Larkin (CA)

James Dolinich (AZ)

Leng Vang (CA)

Giancarlos Mendoza (CA)

Paul Roberts (CA)

Corbin McBride (CA)

Please enjoy our new video release spotlighting Imperial Electric Service, a WECA Member Contractor based in Fresno and serving California's Central Valley, and its Founder and President Windell Pascascio.

Windell graduated from WECA's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program in 2013 and currently serves as a Trustee on the WECA Apprenticeship Training Trust Board of Trustees.

Imperial Electric Service is a growing firm specializing in commercial and residential electric. Services provided by Imperial Electric Service include remodels, solar energy, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, design-build tenant improvements, service work, facility maintenance, retrofits, site and utility work such as underground power utility infrastructure, site lighting, distribution, excavation, directional boring, and new installations.

Thank you, Windell and Imperial Electric Service, for being a WECA Member Contractor serving Fresno and the Central Valley!

Any Women On Your Team Considering WECA Apprenticeship?

Encourage Them to Attend WECA's Open House in Celebration of Women in Construction Week on March 7th at 3 PM




 

This March, WECA is celebrating Women in Construction Week 2024 with an Open House event at our Sacramento/Rancho Cordova training facility and California HQ.

We are inviting women considering careers as electricians or low voltage technicians to join us on March 7th at 3 p.m. to learn how to get involved in WECA's electrical apprenticeship and training programs, get a tour of WECA's training facility and labs while meeting the WECA team and networking with other women in the field, and celebrate women in the electrical workforce.

If there are women on your team considering apprenticeship with WECA, please encourage them to attend the open house. Attendees can pre-register for the event to secure their spots, though we will accept walk-ins on the day of the event. Please share with your employees, however, that pre-registration will allow them to receive event reminders and updated event information.

Your employees can register here for the Women in Construction Week 2024 Open House
 

Download a WECA WIC Week 2024 Open House flyer

WECA with Educational Partner ClickSafety Offers OSHA 10 Construction Spanish and

OSHA 30 Construction Spanish

These OSHA courses are an excellent way to help your employees receive proper training on important safety and health matters at your work sites. WECA, with educational partner ClickSafety, has a variety of safety and OSHA offerings in both English and Spanish available for your Trainees and as Continuing Education for your Journeyperson employees. (WECA Apprentices get OSHA10 and OSHA30 during their program with us.)



Learn more about OSHA 10 Construction Spanish



Learn more about OSHA 30 Construction Spanish

Left to Right: WECA Government Relations Director Rex Hime; U.S. Congressman Blake Moore (Utah 01); WECA Utah Apprenticeship Manager and Lead Instructor Talon Pobuda; and Cody Eaton of Utah Member Hunt Electric and Trustee on the WECA Apprenticeship Training Trust Board of Trustees

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U.S. Congressman Blake Moore (Utah 01) and his staff toured WECA’s Utah Training Facility on Thursday, January 25. Elected in 2021, Moore is the first-ever Republican from Utah to serve on the influential House Committee on Ways and Means.

Moore was joined by WECA’s Government Relations Director Rex Hime; Cody Eaton of Utah Member Contractor Hunt Electric and Trustee on the WECA Apprenticeship Training Trust Board of Trustees; and Utah Apprenticeship Manager and Lead Instructor Talon Pobuda, who was teaching a cohort of second-year apprentices during the visit.

Moore was impressed with WECA’s practical approach to education, with the books and the hands-on training steps away from each other. He even got to talk to some of our apprentices and learn about their favorite subjects to learn about through their classwork so far. Providing as many professional pathways as possible for his constituents is a priority, and he noticed exactly the value WECA provided in that space.

Eaton took the opportunity to explain how critical competency-based training was for workforce development in Utah. With over 90 apprentices in the program, he explained that no one can prepare Hunt Electric’s employees for the field like WECA can.

Thank you to Representative Blake Moore and his team for learning about how WECA is helping develop Utah’s workforce.

 

Current County Availability Below.


 

WECA's Student Referral Service is a free job referral service that introduces our current ET, Journeymen, and WECA Graduate job seekers to Member Contractors in order to help meet their staffing needs. At this time, WECA's student referral service is only available in California.

This service is meant to help and benefit all involved. WECA Member Contractors are referred qualified WECA-trained applicants to help meet their staffing needs. And WECA Students, Journeymen, and Graduates get valuable job referrals.

WECA Member Contractors: To receive referrals from WECA's Student Referral Service, please contact Trisha Hughes, WECA ET/CE Client Services Specialist, at thughes@goweca.com  or 1-877-444-9322.

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Count of Electrician Trainees registered with WECA's Student Referral Service and awaiting an introduction, by region, below. If you're a member contractor in one of these areas and would like a referral, please contact us today:

Fresno: 5

Los Angeles: 3

Sacramento: 6

San Diego: 5

San Joaquin County: 2

Ventura: 2

Need Electrician Trainees, but you're in a different region of California than those shown above? Just contact Trisha and let her know your needs. WECA will publicize a call for WECA students who are registered trainees in your area, but otherwise currently out of work, to sign up for SRS. We'll then provide you with appropriate incoming referrals.

Pictorial: Behind the Scenes in Arizona With a New Class of First Year, First Semester Commercial Electrical Apprentices on Their First Day at WECA

Pictorial: GetWired Students Having Fun and Learning New Conduit-Bending Skills in a Saturday Lab with Instructor James Hall

An Increasing Number of California Member Contractors Sponsor the WECA Educations of Their Electrician Trainees