• Posted: December 10, 2021
• Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Daley College, governor pritzker, IBEW 134, IN-TECH, jill biden

Chicago and the state of Illinois are in need of more skilled workers, including electricians. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden recently visited with students in IN-Tech’s electrical construction program at Chicago’s Velasquez Institute, as part of their partnership with Richard J. Daley College to learn how their education will prepare them for work as trained union electricians. As part of her visit, students showed the First Lady what they were learning and explained how the program was a game-changer for many of them.

Dr. Biden was joined by Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Dr. Biden, who was previously a community college professor, was interested in learning from the students about the program and the preparation it provides for future education or careers. The partnership includes instructors from IBEW Local 134 and IN-Tech, and the training is part of the five-year apprenticeship through Powering Chicago, IBEW, and Electrical Contractors’ Association of Chicago and Cook County (ECA).

IN-TECH Program Essentials

“The program includes instruction in the electrical construction technology program, where students receive a basic certificate and are only a few courses short of an associate’s degree when they are done,” said Alicia Rodriguez, dean of the Velasquez Institute. In addition, many go on to complete an associate degree to another college where they can finish a four-year degree.

Through collaborative agreements with Daley College, apprentices can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Construction Technology or Communications by completing 12 general education credits during their apprenticeship. For those who want to further their education, the AAS degrees are fully transferable toward bachelor’s degrees at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Technology and Management and Northern Illinois University in Telecommunications.

“The first year of the five-year program is free,” said Gene Kent, director, IN-Tech. “After they’ve finished their first year, which is 11 weeks of classroom and hands-on instruction, eight hours a day, for five days a week, and they pass the courses, we refer them to a contractor for employment. In the second and third year, students receive a stipend to attend school.”

As an educator, Dr. Biden encouraged students to continue with their education in community college and interacted with students in the program. “How many of you have jobs already? Oh, you all do…wow! Pretty impressive,” she said.

She was also interested to learn about their earning potential. 

“With 40 hours a week, we estimate the average salary is around $100,000,” said Kent.

“Maybe I should become an electrician,” said Dr. Biden.

As student Shamanita Gamble explained to Dr. Biden, she’s looking forward to the job security the training provides.

“The reason why I love it so much is because you have people from all walks of life, it’s a beautiful thing,” said Gamble, a student in the program. We have more job security once we graduate. You go to school and get the educational part for 11 weeks out of the year and then you spend nine months working. And, once you’ve finished, you’ve got a job offer.”

Dr. Biden agreed with Gamble and was supportive of the program and the hard work of the students, saying, “It is a beautiful thing, I wish you all continued success.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot shared with Dr. Biden how IBEW Local 134 gives back to the community. 

“Local 134 is the real deal,” Mayor Lightfoot explained. “They do a huge amount of charity work reaching out to people in neighborhoods to do significant upgrades to their houses. I can’t say enough good things about IBEW and the things they do.”

Focus on Recruiting Diverse Students

Dr. Biden was interested in the program’s ability to recruit women and minorities to the training. With IN-Tech’s recruitment of female apprentices and high school students, both help fill the classes with a diverse group of candidates.

“The intention is to let them know this is a viable option, a career option, and an alternative to college,” said Kent. “We offer them a chance to become apprentices, and have a valid career.”

Preparing Skilled Workers in Renewable Energy

Governor Pritzker, who recently signed the landmark Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, reiterated the need for skilled workers like In-Tech’s program provides. Every student in the room indicated they had a job when they were finished with the training, which impressed Dr. Biden. “In Illinois it’s hard to find enough people to enter the trades, which offer good pay and a reasonable amount of training. We have a lot of jobs available,” said Pritzker.

Kent explained how the IN-Tech training was designed to be nimble and respond to the needs of the industry.

“We give the traditional electrical training, but we’re also ready at a moment’s notice to change our curriculum, with emerging technologies like renewable energy and charging station technology. We’re already training our workforce to move into that industry,” he said.