Expo makes electrical career possibilities real for younger students

Career awareness often starts to take shape in middle school, making it a prime time to highlight opportunities within the electrical industry.

Leadership with IBEW Locals 64 and 573, along with electrician apprentices, interacted with students at the sixth annual Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo on September 16-18 at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

Running the line early

The first day of the Expo was reserved for middle school students. For some, it was their first time being exposed to the trade.

They participated in hands-on demonstrations like conduit bending, wire pulling and residential wiring. Apprentices were also outside showing off the capabilities of diggers and bucket trucks.

Students could even experience what a job site would be like through a guided virtual reality exercise.

“Reaching students at the middle school level is valuable. The earlier you introduce them to the trades, the better,” said Ahren Peplow, training director, Youngstown Area Electrical JATC.

Peplow is personally committed to that mission year-round.

“Outreach is part of my job, and something I really enjoy, so I’ve contacted some of the local school counselors to see if they’d be okay with me coming in to talk to younger kids.”

He noted that at this stage, it helps students make smarter decisions about options in high school, especially if they’re considering career and tech centers.

“If they realize now that they have an interest in the electrical trade, then they can go to MCCTC or TCTC,” Peplow said.

Building circuits of curiosity

arly awareness has a ripple effect. Even if students aren’t ready to commit to an electrical career, experience helps them understand what that could look like.

“Some kids don’t have that connection at home,” said Todd Ambrose, business manager, IBEW Local 573. “Something like the expo is engaging and gets the word out.”

And when the audience is middle school students, the approach has to shift.

“You almost don’t want to information-overload them,” said Cody Hilliard, business manager, IBEW Local 64, “Just let them take everything in, and then hopefully, they’ll come back to see us.”

What also stands out is that younger students are naturally curious and very eager to be hands-on.

“They’re enthusiastic and not afraid,” Peplow said. “High school kids might be interested but won’t come over because their friends are watching. These kids want to know what you’re doing, and then actually try it.”

Wired for opportunity

The cultural perception around the trades is also shifting. Where college was once seen as the only path, students and their parents are increasingly open to the idea that success can come through other avenues.

“I feel like 20-plus years ago, the trades were frowned upon, and now it’s not,” Ambrose said.

The electrician apprenticeship is an earn-and-learn model, which means students start their careers debt-free, gain hands-on training in the field, along with classroom work.

That idea can seem attractive, especially when the Education Data Initiative reports that the average federal student loan debt balance is about $40,000.

So, instead of owing money, apprentices are earning it, plus receiving benefits and a pension.

“The apprentices don’t pay for those benefits either. It’s given to them automatically through the membership,” said Eric Davis, training director, Warren Electrical JATC.

The electrical trade offers plenty of options, and it’s never too early to spread the word about a career with real power and potential.

NECA-IBEW Electricians makes up a highly trained union workforce in the area. We’re an association of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, IBEW Local 573 in Warren and signatory electrical contractors throughout the Mahoning Valley.