The Electrical Alliance’s Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) was honored for completing energy and electrical training funded by the Maryland Energy Sector Partnership.
The Maryland Energy Sector Partnership (MESP) is run by the Governor’s workforce investment board. The MESP monitors four regional consortia that create an integrated system of education, training, and supportive services that promotes skill attainment and career pathway development for more than 2,000 Marylanders for green jobs in manufacturing, construction, environmental technology and solar energy. The “Go Solar” consortia provided about $1.3 million in funding for the JATC’s training.
The JATC, which is sponsored by the Electrical Alliance, a cooperative effort between the Washington, DC Chapter of National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 26, developed and administered a 15-week, 90-hour course. It was designed to attract Prince George’s County residents into the field of electrical construction and solar generation. The initiative provided participants with a diverse array of new skills and competencies in the energy efficient building and retrofit industries.
Participants were enrolled as entry level R-1 residential trainees with IBEW Local Union and received work assignments as available. Thirty-two of the original 35 training program participants have been placed with one of 200 signatory electrical contractors.
Prince Georges County hosted a recognition ceremony on April 28th, at the JATC 26 facility in Lanham, Md., for the first group of 30 grant-funded new worker trainees. The Governor, as well as local and state officials, including Maryland Secretary of Labor Sanchez and Assistant Secretary Paulette Francois, honored the trainees.
Sean Myers, special projects coordinator at the JATC, said, “The program exceeded every stated goal and we are thrilled with its massive success on all accounts. We hope the results of the program provide more opportunities for grant funded training in the future.”
The event will be re-broadcasted as part of the Vocation Station TV program. For more information, visit http://www.washdcjatc.org.
In addition to this special grant-funded program, the JATC offers accredited apprenticeship programs that prepare students to excel in the electrical industry and continuing education that readies experienced electricians for work on tomorrow’s systems. Learn more about the JATC by visiting www.washdcjatc.org.
