Competition gives students a glimpse into life as an electrician
With a timer running and judges watching, the IBEW Local 64 and Youngstown Area Electrical JATC became the stage for the regional SkillsUSA competition.
Twelve high school students from local and regional career and technical centers participated in the electrical construction wiring contest on February 27. The event was a real-world taste of what it takes to succeed in the trade.
Skills that shine
The setup worked much like a condensed job call. Students were challenged to complete a residential-style project that included wiring and conduit work.
They had to do a three-way switch, a standard switch, a receptacle and light, according to Ahren Peplow, training director at Youngstown Area Electrical JATC.
“It’s all the basics,” he said.
Along with a written test, competitors had three hours to complete as much of the project as possible to the best of their ability.
“Scoring goes deeper than ‘does it work?’ Students are judged on cleanliness, code compliance and safety. Are they wearing the proper PPE? There are different levels of judging. It’s not just based on quality,” Peplow said.
Charged for the next challenge
When the final scores were tallied, the top four finishers earned the chance to compete in the SkillsUSA Ohio competition in May:
First place: Elijah Oesterling, Medina County Career Center
Second place: Brady Holub, Lorain County JVS
Third place: Robert Boley, Portage Lakes Career Center
Fourth place: John Walsh, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center
Jeremy Burdick, the electrical technology instructor at Portage Lakes Career Center, said Robert Boley was eager and ready to take on this challenge.
Burdick is confident that Boley has key skills that will carry him into a bright future.
“He stays cool as a cucumber in these situations. He takes direction well, asks questions and puts in the work. He’s also had experience working with a small electrical contractor,” he said.
Classroom-to-career connection
At Trumbull Career and Technical Center, electrical technology instructor Mark Taylor said events like SkillsUSA connect classroom learning to the real world.
He sets up his own competition at the school – bringing in electrical contractors to judge the students’ work. However, he doesn’t tell the judges who completed which project.
“That’s a three-way win. Number one, I get to hear what the contractors want me to teach their kids. Number two, the kids get to show off to someone they might get hired by. Number three, the contractors get to look at someone they might want to hire,” Taylor said.
He pointed out his class is at full capacity, and there’s already over 80 students fighting for a spot in the program for next school year.
“Interest seems to keep growing. Students are paying attention to where skilled trades can take them.”
Training in electrical excellence
Peplow added that the experience is part of the learning process – and a chance for students to measure themselves against their peers from the region.
“We try to stress that while it’s a competition, at the end of the day, they’re here to learn, have fun and get some honest feedback,” he said.
Luke Gale, the incoming training director for the Warren Electrical JATC, assisted with the competition and judging. He’s been learning the ropes for the event from Eric Davis, who will be retiring in July.
Gale was happy with what he saw from the students.
“They did a nice job, and the constructive criticism will only make them better. We don’t want them to take the competition to heart, but as a way to improve.”
The event is proof that students continue raising their hands for the electrical trade, and awareness of it as a career path is alive and well.
“These young competitors are the future of our industry, and their enthusiasm is inspiring,” Peplow said.
NECA-IBEW Electricians, an association of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, IBEW Local 573 in Warren and signatory electrical contractors throughout the Mahoning Valley.
