New apprentice recruiting videos paint a first-hand picture of life as a union electrician


From making a good living to living a good life, the electrician apprenticeship program is as unique of a career opportunity as the individuals matriculating through it.

That dual focus was the aim of a new series of videos launched by NECA-IBEW Electricians of the Mahoning Valley to appeal to apprentice candidates. Canfield’s 898 Marketing led the production with support from Houck Agency PR.

(2:00) Click the image above to hear from some of our current union electrical apprentices about how their choice to get into the trades has worked for them.

“We wanted to do something a little different and intentionally appeal to how the younger generation consumes content,” said Tom Lipka, executive director, Mahoning Valley NECA. “There’s a story behind each apprentice’s path to the electrical trade, and these videos offer a first-hand snapshot through the eyes and words of a cross section of our own people.” 

Starring members of current apprentice classes

The series includes three 30-second videos on the respective topics of “College vs. the Trades,” “The Union Brotherhood” and “Pay and Benefits.” A two-minute, longer-form video tells a comprehensive story behind a career in the electrical trade.

(0:30) Click the image to hear what our apprentices have to say about the brotherhood and camaraderie that comes with a union electrical apprenticeship.

Starring in the videos are members of apprentice classes in Warren and Youngstown, including Katie Gintert, a working mom; Brad Phillips, a former college student who studied architecture; Emily Nusser, who had no exposure to the building trades while growing up; and Ryan George, a former non-union apprentice.

(0:30) Click the image to learn how some of our current apprentices viewed the trades versus going to college.

Each of the videos are hosted on a newly redesigned landing page, atradethatpays.com, where visitors can find more information about the Warren and Youngstown JATC electrical apprentice programs and also apply online.

(0:30) Good pay, benefits and job security are key tenets of the union electrical apprenticeship. Click the image above to hear what our own apprentices have to say about them.

Applications are accepted year-round and can be found on the ATradeThatPays.com site. The Warren and Youngstown Electrical JATCs operate separately, so interested applicants can choose which local they would prefer.

Apprentice recruiting event – Sept. 20-21

Attend the 2023 Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo at the Canfield Fairgrounds Sept. 20-21. Local schools will participate in the mornings, while the event is open to the public each afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. NECA-IBEW Electricians will be among several building trades exhibiting and offering hands-on activities.

Schedule:

  • Sept. 20 – Mahoning, Columbiana, Portage
  • Sept. 21 – Trumbull, Mercer, Lawrence
  • Open to public from 3 to 6 p.m. both afternoons