Mark your calendars for November 14, 2019 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, at Pinellas Technical College (PTC), Clearwater, 6100 154th Ave N as they host the Inaugural Apprenticeship Career Fair as a part of the fifth annual National Apprenticeship Week. IEC and employers such as JN Electric of Tampa Bay and Erwin Electric will be on site setting up interviews and looking for new employees immediately.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has put a high priority on apprenticeship programs. “The expansion of workforce education and training programs is an essential element of our bold vision to ensure Florida has the No. 1 workforce in the nation,” said Governor DeSantis. “This significant investment in apprenticeship opportunities will help businesses strengthen the skills of their existing and future workforce and allow Floridians to earn while they learn in growing industries.”
The IEC apprenticeship program matches employees with member contractors to begin full time employment and the four-year apprenticeship program.
“The construction market in the Tampa Bay market is red hot right now. Hiring qualified, trained electricians is difficult to accomplish due to the low percentage unemployment rate in our area,” said Rick Anderson Director of Culture at JN ELECTRIC of Tampa Bay. “We are willing to train new applicants and we feel the IEC apprentice program is the best way to train new hires.”
Apprentices earn a full-time wage while working with their employer and go to school 2 nights a week on a full scholarship – provided by IEC, their employer, PTC and St. Pete College. At the completion of the 4-year program, the apprentice graduates debt free, with a stable job history and a career in front of them. More than 95% of the IEC graduates pass the Journeyman Electricians exam at the end of the course and will be making upwards of $20 an hour.
“It is truly a Win, Win, Win, Win situation,” said IEC Executive Director Natasha Sherwood. “When our students graduate, they have Zero Debt, a JOB all four years of the program and a career in front of them, the companies have employees that committed to their company and mastered both book knowledge, hands-on skills and excellent real-world experience and the community gets citizens and company who are literally contributing to the growth of our economy and IEC takes satisfaction in knowing we helped bring this all together!”
Second-year apprentice David Weber summed up the teamwork that makes the apprenticeship program so beneficial and successful. “The thing I like about being an apprentice is that there is a mutual understanding between the apprentice and their employers as well as having a great teacher. Each party will play a vital role in each other’s lives and especially with regards to furthering each person’s career.”
In addition to the IEC Electrical Apprenticeship Program, Pinellas Technical College provides 11 different Apprenticeship Programs, with close to 1000 student apprentices. National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a national celebration that offers leaders in business, labor, education, and other critical partners a chance to demonstrate their support for apprenticeships. Attendees will also have a chance to tour Pinellas Technical College in Clearwater, and explore different apprenticeship programs.
For more information, contact Natasha Sherwood at ED@IECFWCC.org or Mariana Leslie at lesliema@pcsb.org.