It’s rare for electricians from two NECA-IBEW contractors to be on expansion projects at the same location, but that’s the case for Boot Electric and Tri-Area Electric. They’re respectively powering new buildings at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center that will prepare students for careers in healthcare, technology and skilled trades. Wiring a new […]
Deciding on an electrical career was a big, first step, for Isaac Arnold, but he has the grit, patience and determination to build a solid future. The 22-year-old Lowellville native, now a third-year apprentice, didn’t waste time after high school. He had his sights set on being an electrician and got the nudge from a […]
IBEW Local 64 picnic had all the energy as it celebrated achievements, camaraderie and pride in the electrical trade. It was held at the Youngstown Shrine Club pavilion in North Lima on June 11. At least 50 apprentices from all levels gathered to recognize their hard work, build connections and reflect on their progress. They […]
Michon Peterson’s decision to become a journeyman electrician started with a piece of advice from a family member. “My grandpa used to be a pipefitter,” he said. “He always told me to look into the trades.” Peterson took those words seriously, and the electrical trade was the first one he explored. He initially considered college […]
The IBEW Local 64 hall in Boardman became a hub of determination as it hosted the electrical trade’s construction wiring portion of the Northeast Regional SkillsUSA Competition. This was Local 64’s second year hosting the event, which moves to a new location every two years. Growing interest in electrical trades Ten students from career and […]
Projects for the NECA-IBEW Electricians remain steady, but events like the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo are driving awareness about careers in the electrical industry. Since the first expo in 2019, apprenticeship applications have increased for IBEW Locals 64 and 573. “Before we started, until now, they’re up between 10-15 percent. It’s been a good […]
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 […]
[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 […]
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 […]
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 […]