Tag Archives: apprenticeship







Cody Hilliard and Kenny Lucas, of IBEW Local 64, at guidance counselors presentation about skilled trades.

Electricians school educators about skilled trades careers


The teachers became the students at an information session about skilled trades careers. Around 70 area guidance counselors and educators gathered at the Sheet Metal JAC Training Center in Boardman to learn about the many opportunities for young people in the building trades. Eric Davis, training director at the Warren Electrical JATC, was among the […]

Kenny Lucas, IBEW Local 64 president/organizer, outside union hall.

Lucas makes move to Local 64 leadership role  


After more than 20 years as a journeyman electrician, Kenny Lucas is taking on new challenges as the president/organizer for IBEW Local 64. He’s adjusting from life on job sites to helping manage about 430 union members. He’s responsible for building and monitoring membership and leading union meetings. Lucas also stays aware of what’s happening […]

Students at SkillsUSA competition electrical wiring project

Regional SkillsUSA competition brightens the spotlight for the electrical trade


IBEW Local 64 connected with the future of the trade as the host for the electrical construction wiring portion of the Northeast Regionals SkillsUSA Competition. Hundreds of students were involved from more than a dozen schools in the region. There were six participants for the electrical competition on February 22. It included a written exam […]

Apprentice working on wiring.

An electrician apprenticeship or college tuition: What does the math say?


Pursuing a college degree can be costly. Learning a skilled trade, like becoming an electrician, allows young people to start a career right out of high school without accruing student debt. The below information leaves a comparison to ponder – apprenticeship or college? Costly college or apprenticeship earnings? In Ohio, the average cost to attend […]

Electrician working at Ultium Cells early on in the project.

Electrical contractors charged up: Optimistic outlook for 2024


[Following is the NECA-IBEW’s submission in the recently published Business Journal Growth Report 1 issue] A steady combination of commercial projects and residential work kept the energy high for NECA-IBEW Electricians in 2023. Overall, the signatory Mahoning Valley electrical contractors and IBEW union locals are keeping an optimistic outlook for 2024. IBEW Locals 64 and […]

Eric Clayton, of CR Electric in Girard, tested into journeyman electrician after 15,000 hours of work.

Journeyman electrician finds power in unconventional path to career success


Sometimes the plan to reach a goal happens in an unexpected way, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the success is any less sweet. For Eric Clayton, persistence and the will to do what he loves have gone a long way to becoming a journeyman electrician. He’s been in the trade for eight years, currently works […]

Sam Decesare, owner of Revolt Electric, outside his work van.

Contractor profile: Revolt Electric running at full charge


In electrical terms, 2023 has been a power surge for Sam Decesare. He officially started his own business, Revolt Electric, in January and has been moving at lightning speed ever since. As a one-man operation, to say he has a full schedule is an understatement. He juggles working, estimates, meetings and the office work. Decesare […]

IBEW Local 573 apprentice showing students at Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo how to bend conduit.

Plug into a powerful future as an apprentice electrician


There are a variety of pathways to a rewarding, well-paying career. A college degree is conventional, but it’s not for everyone. Some people enjoy hands-on learning, and a skilled trade like an apprentice electrician, is a route to a great living without incurring much debt. Starting in the electrical trade can be done right out […]

Nate Castle, IBEW Local 573, explains conduit bending to students at the MVST Expo in Canfield.

Skilled Trades Expo offers glimpse into electrical trade


The idea of the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo is to have students get their hands dirty and find a potential career path they wouldn’t have otherwise considered. Nearly 5,000 students flocked to the new event center at the Canfield Fairgrounds between September 20 and 21. This was the fourth year for the event. There […]

Alex Birtalan, 22, receives LMCC scholarship for second year.

Two-time LMCC scholarship winner steadfast in career dreams


With at least two years of classes left in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology, Alex Birtalan has a “can’t-stop-won’t-stop” mentality. For the second year, he received the NECA-IBEW Electricians’ scholarship through the YSU Foundation. Birtalan, 22, of Salem, attends YSU part-time and works as much as possible as a junior estimator at […]