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June 8, 2023

IECRM Graduates 240 Apprentice Electricians

IECRM – The Largest Electrical Apprentice Training Program 

On Saturday, June 3, 2023, Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain (IECRM) held a special graduation ceremony to honor the graduating class of 2023. A total of two hundred and forty electrical apprentices graduated from IECRM’s 4-Year Electrical Apprentice Training Program. This monumental achievement was celebrated in person at the Westin Westminster with nearly 800 attendees, including friends, families, instructors, and supporting companies. The event was live-streamed for those who could not attend in person. 

David Scott, IECRM Board President, welcomed guests to the ceremony and acknowledged the challenges that this year’s graduating class had to face and overcome. “Graduates, you are the first graduating class to have accomplished something no other class in the history of IECRM has done. You were faced with a global pandemic in the spring of 2020.  You did not give up.  With a week’s notice, you went online to attend class in an extremely uncertain time…you did not give up.  Your industry was threatened when everyone else was told they must work from home. Through advocacy, you were deemed essential, and you stepped up.  You finished your first year and a good portion of your second year doing 100% remote learning/instruction.  You learned up.  In five days, the public health emergency will officially be declared over…you have finished your education because you stood up!  My challenge to you is to earn your license, continue your education, and continue to rise up,” said David. Click here to view David’s message.

IEC National Board President Cecil Leedy recorded a special message for the graduating class. “The electrical industry offers an abundance of opportunity and growth, and it comes in many different ways, residential, commercial, industrial, industrial troubleshooting, utility, national grid enhancements, generators and emergency power systems, wind, solar, and other alternative energies – the opportunities are abundant,” said  Cecil. Click here to view the video message. 

Rob Watkins, President of Ludvik Electric, and immediate past president of the IECRM Board of Directors took to the podium to share a message of experience with the graduates “Graduating from an Apprentice to a Journeyman is a rite of passage that you are earning today. I am honored to have the opportunity to celebrate with you today. Over the years, I have found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. NOTHING! Every failed experiment is one step closer to success. Reggie Jackson struck out 2,597 times in his career, the most in the history of baseball, but you don’t hear about his strikeouts. He is remembered for his 563 home runs. Fall forward. Thomas Edison conducted ten thousand failed experiments, that is a lot of failed experiments; the ten thousand and first experiment led to the refinement of the lightbulb, which is still in use today. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success. To fall forward means taking chances, and when we fail, we learn from the fall and rise stronger than we were before,” Watkins shared. Click here to view Rob’s message.

Annette Gauna, IECRM Training Manager (AKA Apprentice Wrangler), recognized IECRM’s instructors for milestones and achievements. “Being an IECRM Instructor is no easy task and takes up an immense amount of time and preparation for each class lesson. Our Instructors are ‘front line’ for the IECRM Apprenticeship Training program, and we certainly could not do it without them,” said Gauna, who is celebrating 26 years with IECRM this year. https://www.youtube.com/live/giuvgw1p5uE?feature=share.

The following instructors have been teaching for 5 years at IECRM:

Tom Blevins: 2nd-year online instructor

Robert Bowman: 3rd-year online instructor

David Giles: 2nd-year instructor & CEU instructor

Mike Lempka: 4th-year online instructor

Chris Papp: 2nd-year instructor Northglenn & online

10 Years: Jeff Magee: CUE instructor

15 Years: Chris Shipp: 3rd & 4th-year instructor Northglenn & online

25 Years: Tim Carney: first IECRM instructor to achieve the 25-year milestone

Instructor of the Year: Luke Morrissette 

Luke was nominated for this award by his apprenticeship students and instructor peers. The Instructor of the Year award recognizes an IECRM instructor who possesses creativity, a positive attitude, and the ability to transfer knowledge through excellent communication skills and innovative teaching methods.

Jeff Magee, IECRM Chair of the Board of Trustees, IECRM Instructor & President of Magee Electric also addressed the graduates. “Your graduation today represents the culmination of countless hours of hard work and dedication. Congratulations, graduates! May your future be illuminated with success, fulfillment, and the unwavering appreciation of those you serve,” said Jeff as he addressed the graduating class of 2023.

Paul Lingo, IECRM Training Director, recognized the 4th-year winners of the recent IECRM Wire-Off Competition.

1st Place – Daniel Alig, Glanz Electrical Contracting

2nd Place – Kirk Petersen, Interstates Construction Services

3rd Place – Christian McCarthy, Accent Electrical Services

“Daniel Alig will be competing against the other IEC National Wire-Off Winners from across the United States for IEC National’s Apprentice of the Year Competition at the IEC National Convention in Dallas, Texas in October. Congratulations on your achievement. We look forward to you representing IEC Rocky Mountain in the national competition!” said Lingo. Click here to view Paul’s message.

Paul Lingo congratulated the top students identified by their peers and instructors and provided special recognition. 

4th-Year Top Students

Daniel Alig, Glanz Electrical Contracting – 4 years in a row
Maxwell Brake, MV Power Solutions – 2 years in a row
Ricardo Cardoza, Bear Electric
Shaun Defilippo (Salutatorian) – C & R Electrical Controls
Christian McCarthy, Accent Electrical Services – 2 years in a row
Gino Perez, Accent Electrical Services
James Spindler, Fed Electric
Matthew Williams, Encore Electric, Inc.

The 2023 Salutatorian (2nd highest cumulative GPA) is Shaun DeFilippo, C&R Electrical Contracting.

The IECRM 2023 Apprentice of the Year (AOY) and the Valedictorian (the highest Cumulative GPA), were asked to speak to their graduating class during the ceremony, and both accepted the challenge. Highlights from their speeches are below.

IECRM Apprentice of the Year: Daniel Alig, Glanz Electrical Contracting

“Apprenticeship is like a furnace that melts you down, transforms you, and refines you so you come out on the other side upgraded in many ways. This is a big deal that we’ve made it this far. I’m proud of all of you for persisting, having the consistency to show up for work day by day, to class week by week, even when it wasn’t easy, and finally make it to this threshold of our careers,” explained Daniel as he gave his address. Click here to view Daniel Alig’s message in its entirety.

Valedictorian Address: William Daniel, Triangle Electric, Inc.

“Embrace the future and the challenges to come. This is just the start of our careers and education. The future looks bright for us.”  Click here to view William Daniel’s message in its entirety.

Paul Lingo, IECRM Training Director, shared a special message of his own. “Looking back at the last 4 years I have been honored to see each of you become the leaders you are today. Each of you sitting here has accomplished something that many have not. 

As of today, Homework, Quizzes, and Exams will no longer be a measuring point of success because you are no longer considered APPRENTICES, you are now SKILLED ELECTRICAL PROFESSIONALS,” exclaimed Paul. Click here to view Paul’s message in its entirety.

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 44 hours of transferable college credit toward an associate degree at a Colorado community college and up to 53 credits toward a bachelor 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.

Partners in Education:
Emily Griffith Technical College
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship
CSU Global
The State of Colorado Office of the Future of Work 

The venue, breakfast reception, programs, production, and graduate gifts are made possible by our Contractor Members and Industry Partner sponsors of the 2023 graduation ceremony. “IECRM is grateful for the leadership and support that you provide every day, and especially to lead our graduates on their journey through this important ceremony,” said IECRM CEO Marilyn Akers Stansbury.

IECRM Self-Pay Tuition Policy

 

Self-pay students who are employed with a member company must register and pay through the member company using the IECRM Flashpoint Enrollment Portal/Process in order to qualify for member rates.

Self-pay students that are employed with a member company but that do not register and pay through the member will be charged the non-member rate for tuition, books and applicable fees.


Self-pay students who are employed with a member company and require a payment plan will not qualify for the member rate and will be charged the non-member rate for tuition, books and applicable fees.


Self-pay students who do not work for a member company will continue to be charged the non-member rate for tuition, books and applicable fees.


To maximize association/membership benefits, ALL member companies are encouraged to register and pay for all enrolled apprentices utilizing internal payment arrangements and processes between employer and employee.


We value our IECRM members and apprentice community. We encourage all apprentices to be enrolled in the four-year apprenticeship program, earning, and learning their way toward Journeyworker licensure. We encourage all members to utilize the member discount for tuition, books and applicable fees to ensure the long-term support and success of the next-generation electrician.


(Payment Plans are available, please reference the Self Pay Payment Plan Policy.)


Self-Pay Payment Plan Policy


We offer the following arrangements for students that are unable to pay in full at the time of registration.


● Self-pay students will be charged the non-member rate.
● A 50% down payment of total semester tuition, books and applicable fees are due at registration.
● Remaining balance can be divided up to 3 additional monthly payments ($10.00 processing fee applies on each installment)
● All payments that are declined will incur a $20.00 NSF fee.

 

We encourage all students who are employed with a member company to work with their employer to register and pay through the IECRM Flashpoint Enrollment Portal/Process. This will ensure the student is paying the lowest possible rate for tuition, books and applicable fees.