• Posted: November 15, 2021
• Brian Gamboa, IBEW Local 134, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, National Apprenticeship Week, National Apprenticeship Week 2021

 

Powering Chicago celebrates our amazing apprentices during the 7th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), November 15 – 21, 2021. With over 1,500 apprentices trained at our IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, we are proud of the hard work of all our students.

NAW is a nationwide celebration where industry, labor, equity, workforce, education, and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for re-building our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities.

We know the path to IN-Tech is not always a direct one. Some apprentices heard about us from friends or family in the union or were looking for the next step after serving in the military. All are motivated by the desire to have a good job with security, learn a skill where they can succeed and be part of a brother and sisterhood that remains for life.

As part of our celebration, we’ll be sharing our apprentice’s stories. Here is our conversation with third-year apprentice Brian Gamboa.

Why did you decide to become a union electrician?

Brian: Electricity is not going to go away. I found a foundation to build a career for myself. I really like to be hands-on and as far as the construction industry goes, I thought electricians were the smartest. And on top of that, it’s really very exciting. It’s a trade that is ever-evolving, in this very complex and dangerous trade. Especially with Local 134, they offer great training and superior benefits. I can use the training to catapult my career.

I heard about the union from a few friends that I went to school with and a few others that are already electricians, and/or union members. They talked about the great program and I asked them how to get into it and they explained the program that they had at Alsip.

In my opinion, going union is the only route. They have superior training at IN-Tech. They teach you all the basics, and now in my third year, they’re teaching me stuff like working with transformers. Last year they taught us about solar-powered PV (Photovoltaics). Here our education is second to none. Being Local 134 is also, of course, across the nation, a reason why people come here.

How has the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute prepared you to work out in the field?

Brian: IN-Tech has definitely provided me the tools to really get a jumpstart on PV. I think it’s crucial for me to get the basics and foundation of my education at IN-Tech. We are at the forefront, making sure that the work is done by highly skilled and highly trained individuals, which 134 has.

I’m a third-year apprentice. My schooling is almost wrapping up as far as the day-to-day school seminars. But, we also offer night school with advanced courses, whether it’s advanced lighting courses, code courses, or certifications. I see continuing my education to further my skills, my certifications and to make sure I provide value and am an asset to my contractor.

What have been some of your favorite things with the school?

Brian: Some of my favorite things are the innovative new stuff that they teach us as well as the friendships at IN-Tech. Now that Mr. Kent is taking over the program, he’s been very innovative with everything that he implements. Obviously, learning PV is something new and it’s been moving forward in the electrical industry for the past 10 to 20 years. I think he’s going to really have this program in very good hands.

How has your experience been with the Life Mastery Curriculum and what makes it unique?

Brian: I think it’s a very good thing that the school administration is incorporating this training for us. We’re trying to break the mold of being the prototypical and stereotypical construction workers that are not in tune with feelings or are “sexist pigs,” or any other very stereotypical ideas that are unfortunately associated with us. This training allows us to be in tune with society as a whole and also gives us a perspective to have self-reflection of who we are and who our coworkers are. It really allows us to utilize everyone’s strengths and put them in a position to succeed, which is the ultimate goal.

How is the Life Mastery Curriculum helping you in your professional and personal life?

Brian: For me to go out in the field, I always like to get a little self-reflection, so I like to get to know myself asking, what are my strengths and weaknesses? How can I better myself? That’s the first step for me because I can’t help anyone else unless I help myself first. Specifically, with the Life Mastery and the Four Lens courses, I figured out I was more of a goal person. I need structure. I need goals, I need order. I need organization and clear-cut directions for me to succeed and keep moving forward.

This is actually a great thing that allows me to understand that we’re all different people. We all have different traits and personalities. For example, I might have a certain vision of myself, but someone else might think a little bit differently. This person might think a solution might be this way, but we should really try to find everyone’s strength as a whole and move forward to try to be successful.

In my personal life, it could really be helpful in any way. Even with your partner, whether it’s your wife, or whoever you’re dealing with, kids at home, parents, family members, you can really try to understand. These people are coming from this perspective and you should give them a little more space, or this person may need a little more structured organization. It’s helpful to try to really combat all those things together to make sure, we can all get along a little bit better.

What’s your vision for your career after you finish up your apprenticeship? 

Brian: I have two more years to finish up my apprenticeship. After that, I envision myself continuing to climb the ladder as far as my specific job. I definitely see myself as a foreman, possibly I’ll be a superintendent afterward. I do want to get my supervisor license and title as well. I want to continue to be in the union for as long as I possibly can. Mr. Kent might have a position for me as a teacher at some point.

I’m actually a little bit older and as far as other apprentices are concerned, but I really like to reach out, and share this is the way to go. A college degree might not work out for everybody. We need to make sure some of the top students go into the trades and want to have a future in construction.

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National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to highlight how Registered Apprenticeship, a proven and industry-driven training model, provides a critical talent pipeline that can help to address some of our nation’s pressing workforce challenges such as responding to critical supply chain demands and supporting a clean energy workforce, modernizing our cybersecurity response, addressing public health issues, and rebuilding our country’s infrastructure.