Friday, March 8, 2024
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
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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!
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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!
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