by franz | Nov 11, 2019 | Uncategorized
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE TRADE? Christine went to college got her Bachelor’s Degree and now needed to pay back her student loans. Her dad had worked for one of the contractors and suggested she apply. She did and was so excited to get in. She applied, three months later took her test, did the interview, was on the list for 6 months. At this point she really wanted to get in. Her dad mentioned to a NECA rep that his daughter had applied and was still waiting. It just so happened that the NECA rep said they had a PRE-Apprentice program starting the next day. Keep in mind Christine had a job at Panera Bread and had to quit that day so she could start in the PRE-Apprentice program the next day. It all happened so fast. Here in the PRE-Apprentice program she was able to get so much field experience. She spent 2 months in this program and then got the call to go into the Apprentice Program. WHAT SHE DID BEFORE THE TRADE, SCHOOL? Christine went to college at OCC then transferred over to Oakland University where she went into Psychology. An undergrad degree is great but going into Psychology you really need your Masters and then your Doctorate. This is was nearly impossible to pay for Grad school even though she loved the field of Psychology. While going to college she also worked at a minimum wage job. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PLACES YOU’VE WORKED? Christine has been in the trades for 2 years now. She is currently laid off since Dec....
by franz | Apr 26, 2019 | Uncategorized
The 20 Biggest Losers of Michigan Battle of the BuildingsENERGY SUMMIT – APRIL 25JW Marriot, Grand Rapids, Michigan 1st Place Education Category Monroe County Community College15% Energy Reduction 2nd Place Education Category Joan & Sanford Weill Hall ,University of Michigan11% Energy Reduction 1st Place Entertainment Category SMGVan Andel Arena12% Energy Reduction 2nd Place Entertainment Category Celebration Cinema,Studio C Meridian Mall8% Energy Reduction 1st Place Financial Institution Category Fifth Third BankBelleville Banking Center19% Energy Reduction 2nd Place Financial Institution Category Fifth Third BankNapier Banking Center14% Energy Reduction 1st Place Health/Hospital Category Spectrum Health330 Barclay Building9% Energy Reduction 2nd Place Health/Hospital Category Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak6% Energy Reduction 1st Place Manufacturing/Industrial Category Autodie, LLC 9% Energy Reduction 1st Place Office Category IBEWLocal 58 Zero Net Energy Center 21% Energy Reduction 2nd Place Office Category State of Michigan DTMBSouth Grand Office Building 18% Energy Reduction 1st Place Other Category Sunset Manor and Villages 25% Energy Reduction 2nd Place Other Category University of MichiganMedical Science Unit II 8% Energy Reduction 1st Place Production Normalization Pilot FCA US LLCTrenton Engine Complex 59% Energy Reduction 1st Place Retail Category Sears 1460 9% Energy Reduction 2nd Place Retail Category Meijer Hampton Twp, MI 3% Energy Reduction 1st PlaceWarehouse/ Distribution Category General Motors CCA Flint IE Lab 23% Energy...
by franz | Apr 13, 2019 | Uncategorized
It was a great day at the Detroit Electrical Industry Training Center with over 100 area high school students, educators, counselors and parents having an amazing day exploring the Electrical Industry! #YourFutureIsElectric Lamphere High School Clarkston High School Melvindale High School Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative StudiesL’Anse Creuse Public...
by franz | Apr 8, 2019 | Interviews
How did you get started in the Trade? And what you did before joining the Trade? Organizations, School/ other jobs? I became interested in the trade in 2008 and applied to the apprenticeship program. I re-applied in April of 2015 and by August of that year I was able to get into Local 58. Growing up my family owned an apple orchard and we worked fixing and building projects around the property. I also did a lot of work for family and friends which included house projects and working on our church building. A family friend owned a construction company and I started working for him as an eager teen who enjoyed the work and seeing how things were made. After high school I went to Michigan Tech, and studied civil engineering for one year. After coming home, I started working as a courier for a law firm while continuing college classes at Macomb Community college. When I was 25, I helped start a search company in the real estate arena. About 5 years later, the company closed and I started working for another law firm for 2 more years. After this, I moved my family to Pittsburgh to work for an oil and gas broker until the price of oil bottomed out and I was laid off. What do you like most about what you do? I get to do something new each day and experience a variety of jobs. We get the opportunity to problem solve, which is fun and allows us to think outside the box and be creative. I enjoy expanding my horizon while...
by franz | Mar 21, 2019 | Interviews, Uncategorized
Victor Del Toro – Detroit EITC Apprentice 1.How did you get started in the Trade? One day I was working at a neighbor’s helping him build a deck. I noticed his work service truck and mentioned to him that my grandfather was an electrician. From here the conversation just grew. My neighbor is with the IBEW Local 58. He started telling me all about his job, the schooling he went through, the whole process of getting into the Trade, the benefits it offered, all the details, so I decided to apply to the apprenticeship program. 2.Tell me what you did before joining the Trade and/or assuming your current role in the Organization? School/other jobs? In High School I ran track and field and received a scholarship to a school in Louisiana. Then Katrina happened and wiped out the area. It derailed my plans. With the help of school placement due to the hurricane I went to Indiana University. Here I took general education classes and wanted to work toward a business degree. I spent two years at IU. With student loans and what it would take to stay at IU I decided to enroll in a local community college in north west Indiana. I worked odd jobs while going to school, not even really knowing if I wanted to still pursue a business degree. I met some friends who were headed to Chicago so I decided to go with them. Big mistake. It was a mess, a real struggle. I decided to move back home to Michigan with my parents and attend Macomb Community College focusing on marketing this...
