The original blueprint for Tom Plummer’s life didn’t include being an electrician, but at the end of the day, he knew he wanted more than a desk job. Originally from Clarion, Pa., Plummer spent four years at Penn State Dubois, where he pitched for the baseball team and earned a degree in Human Development […]
What felt like a setback early in Alex Birtalan’s career ended up wiring him for growth within the electrical industry. He started as an electrician apprentice with “Joe” Dickey Electric in 2019. Three months in, he found out he was color blind, which then made it unsafe for him to be in the field. After […]
There’s a new leader at the forefront of the Youngstown Area Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC). Ahren Peplow, an experienced electrician and passionate educator, is stepping into the role of training director. He’s replacing Ed Emerick, who’s retiring at the end of February, after being in the position 19 years. Peplow, a dedicated […]
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 […]
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 […]