Exposure to my current career path came after accidentally lighting a fire in an attempted home repair. After calling a trained electrician for help, we entered into an enlightening conversation on his background, which pushed me to further research the profession. I quickly determined a change of career from retail to journeyman electrician. Like my father before me, I am now a member of my industry’s local union in Maine. For the past two years, I’ve served as the Training Director for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 567. I began my path toward journeyman electrician in the same apprenticeship program I now oversee.
Despite growing up in a union household, I didn’t initially understand the purpose of being in one. I expected all employers to provide their workers with the means for a sustainable life and retirement. But union jobs in the electrical…
Maine Compass: Clean energy future relies on workforce development programs and union jobs.
