• Posted: June 24, 2020
• Apprenticeship Program, better careers, better construction, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute

Much of the state’s economy ground to a halt in March and April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the exception of health care workers, police and fire, and a few other select industries, most everyone else was ordered to stay home. One group that continued to operate as close to normal as possible were the construction trades, including Powering Chicago electricians and contractors.

To ensure that Powering Chicago members continue to meet the needs of its customers, the IBEW-NECA (IN-TECH) apprenticeship school recently opened its doors so the next generation of IBEW Local 134 apprentices can receive the proper training to effectively do their jobs when they become journeymen and women electricians.

“When the school did shut down, what was on my mind was that we had workers still out on the job site and they needed to be trained properly,” said IN-TECH’s Director, Gene Kent. “I feel the apprenticeship is the best way to train new electricians going into the field. This could be a new normal and a higher level of safety consideration may be needed.”

Kent and his staff decided on a few key protocols that must be implemented to ensure the safety of the instructors and the apprentices. Staggered start times between each class of apprentices would decrease the number of people gathering in the atrium of the building or in the hallways. Eating lunch and taking breaks would now take place outside to decrease close interaction while indoors. Temperatures are being taken of each individual who enters the building and if an elevated temperature is detected, that person is immediately sent home. Face masks and face shields would be worn when inside the building while working with partners to decrease the risk of transmission of the disease.

“The face shield really comes into play when the apprentices are in close proximity to one another,” Kent explained. “In our industry, we oftentimes work in partners so social distancing isn’t always an option. The face shields and face masks help in that scenario.”

The apprentices are also instructed to clean their stations and equipment more often and that proper distancing is being enforced while in classrooms. Kent said the apprentices are able to complete their work and continue learning as normal.

“I look at it as a teaching point or learning point for the students,” Kent said. “We are responding to a safety issue and we are responding immediately. At times, depending on what that concern is on the job site, there are protocols and levels of PPE that you can institute to protect yourself and those around you.”

Thanks to thorough conversations about safety protocols and best practices for apprentices and electricians between Powering Chicago contractors and union leadership, the union electrical industry can continue operating smoothly and safely as the region begins to reopen.