National Apprenticeship Week is a time to recognize the power of apprenticeships as a dynamic pathway to career growth and industry innovation. Celebrated annually, this week underscores the role apprenticeships play in developing highly skilled workers who can drive economic prosperity. By combining practical, hands-on experience with structured training, apprenticeships offer a unique learning path that supports career advancement and opens doors for a diverse range of participants. Employers, educators, and community partners are encouraged to support apprenticeships by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for aspiring professionals to grow in their chosen fields.
The NECA/ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship Program aligns with these principles, delivering a 52-week curriculum that integrates technical instruction, on-the-job learning, and in-depth project management experience. This program equips apprentices to tackle the complexities of the electrical construction industry with both confidence and expertise.
ELECTRI’s Director of Future Workforce Development, Anna Jochim, highlights the program’s value: “We’re excited to offer a pathway that meets apprentices where they are, recognizing that learning is not one-size-fits-all. For many, an immersive, hands-on approach is the right fit, while others may thrive in traditional learning environments. Our Project Management Apprenticeship combines the best of both, creating an ideal pathway for those drawn to leadership roles in electrical project management.” The apprenticeship trains future project leaders in essential areas such as project planning, financial management, documentation, safety, and team leadership, giving them the tools to manage projects from start to finish.
Recently awarded U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program status, the program has also garnered praise from participants like Briar Rightmeyer, an Associate Project Manager with Northline Utilities, LLC. Rightmeyer shares, “This apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to immerse myself in multiple training methods, while receiving invaluable support from mentors and coaches who encourage me to push my skill set beyond my comfort zone.”
In support of this workforce development effort, Wesco Cares has contributed $100,000 in scholarship grants to help provide financial support for program costs. By January 2025, just four months after its launch, the program will have enrolled 38 apprentices from 29 NECA contractor companies in 20 states. The program is also exploring partnerships with veteran employment and military transition programs, expanding access to careers in electrical construction.
During National Apprenticeship Week, NECA, ELECTRI, and our partners at American Apprenticeships Work (AAW), proudly acknowledge the importance of structured education and training at all levels. Joshua Langenkamp, a project manager at Sidney Electric, shares, “I am eager to deepen my knowledge in managing complex projects, grow my leadership skills, and gain a complete understanding of project coordination from beginning to end.”
With the steadfast support of NECA contractors, NECA Chapters, and the ELECTRI Council, the Project Management Apprenticeship opens doors to lasting career development for participants across the nation. For more information on the NECA/ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship, visit Project Management Apprenticeship – ELECTRI International or contact Anna Jochim at Anna.Jochim@electri.org.