IECRM Apprentices Graduate 100% Employed and with No College Debt
One hundred fifty-one electrical apprentices graduated from IECRM’s Four-Year Electrical Apprentice Program in a special graduation ceremony at the Westin Westminster on Saturday, June 8, 2019.
Most notable about this graduating class is that they are 100 percent employed and none of these graduates is saddled with college debt to deal with after graduation. In addition, these graduates are either licensed journeymen or will become licensed in the coming months. A large audience of hundreds of guests including family members, friends, spouses, instructors, and employers attended to celebrate the graduates. IECRM is the largest IEC electrical apprenticeship training program in the country.
Hundreds of guests including family members, friends, spouses, instructors, and employers were present to celebrate the graduates. Special guest, IEC National Board of Directors President Gary Golka of Golka Electric, delivered the commencement keynote.
“You will be a key part of this country realizing that future,” said Golka to the graduates. “I attribute success not to luck, not to genes, not to privilege, but to hard work and to being a professional.” He continued, “The future of construction and building technology is bright. There is much to be done and you are ready to be a player in that future. You…are going to get to do far better, far cooler, and more important things at work in the next 20 years…helping us shape this industry of electrical construction and service.”
Most IECRM students work full-time in the field as electrician’s apprentices and participate in the US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (OA/BAT) program, which allows them to grow their salaries to commensurate with the growth of their skills during their education. IECRM graduates have gained the required experience to qualify for mid-level positions which include higher pay rates and better benefits. IECRM alumni include: Business Owners, Journeyman, Master Electricians, State Electrical Inspectors, Project Managers, C-Level Executives, IECRM College Instructors, and many more accomplished skilled tradesmen.
As class Salutatorian, IECRM 2019 Wire-Off winner Michael Curtis addressed his fellow graduates, “For many people it is difficult to find a career they are proud of. Finding a career you enjoy is even more challenging. Having spent many hours on job sites I can say we are some of the lucky few.”
He went on to add, quoting Earl Nightingale, “Luck is what happens when preparedness meets opportunity. Opportunity is all around us. Are you prepared? … Although we graduate today and celebrate our accomplishments, we should always try to keep in mind that opportunities will always be around us… and that we should be prepared to take advantage of them.
Each graduate received a Certificate of Completion from the IECRM 4-year Apprentice Program; a Certificate of Completion and Transcript from Emily Griffith Technical College recognizing completion of up to 42 hours of transferable college credit toward an associate degree at a Colorado community college and up to 53 credits toward a bachelor’s degree with CSU Global; an IEC National Certificate of Achievement; and certain students received certificates of completion from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship and Training for meeting the standards and requirements prescribed by the U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program.
During the ceremony graduates and underclassmen were awarded for achieving high academic honors, perfect attendance, competing in the 2019 IECRM Wire-Off Competition skills challenges, and other achievements. Every graduate also received valuable gifts donated by IDEAL Industries, Dewalt, and Milwaukee Tool.
Enrollment for the next session of the Four-Year Electrical Apprentice Program opened on Monday, June
17 for IECRM members, and on Monday, June 24 for the general public. Register by July 8 to receive the early registration tuition rate. Enrollment will close Friday, July 19 or when all seats are filled.