The Washington, DC Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) celebrated the 65th Annual graduating class of 137 electrician and telecommunication students on June 4, 2011.
The JATC is sponsored by Local Union 26 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Washington, DC Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). The JATC offers apprenticeship programs for electricians and telecommunications. Apprentices receive health and welfare benefits, earn pay for attending class and receive regular pay raises on the job as their skill and experience increases.
The 2011 graduation ceremony was held at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Md. Graduates from each program were 118 inside wireman, 4 telecommunications and 15 R-A upgrade. The graduating class named one Valedictorian from each program, Eric P. Pacheco (94.8% average-wireman), Daniel J. Coppersmith (92.2% average-telecommunications) and Wayne P. McKenzie (92.4% average-R-A upgrade); and one Salutatorian from each program, Michael V. Robinson (94.1% average-wireman), Ryan L. Davis (87.1% average-telecommunications) and Bradley K. Pribble (90.5% average-R-A upgrade).
Perfect Attendance award recipients included Edwin A. Duran, Jason M. Elder, Joseph A. Herche, Patrick S. Pinkney, Michael V. Robinson, Matthew E. Wells and Christopher M. Williams. Other award categories included One Deficiency, with 10 recipients and Averages 90% and above, with 21 recipients.
Wireman Valedictorian Eric P. Pacheco said, “It is my belief that the IBEW has grown stronger with the graduation of these men and women that make up the class of 2011. The dedication to excellence is present in each of them. Together we will move forward, together we will lead, and together we will succeed.”
The ceremony commemorates the completion of 800 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training over five years. The graduating apprentices are some of 800 apprentices preparing for their place among more than 8,000 members of IBEW Local 26 who are employed by more than 200 union signatory contractors.
Rich Murphy, assistant director at the JATC said, “We couldn’t be happier for the graduating class of 2011. They have successfully completed a rigorous apprenticeship program and we are excited to see them use their skills to enhance the future of the industry.”
For complete information describing the electrical apprenticeship curriculum, pay and benefits, and application instructions, visit www.getchargedup.org. Career counseling help is available by calling the Lanham training center at 301-429-2575.
