IECRM – The Largest IEC Electrical Apprentice Training Program Graduates its Largest Class Ever in 2022
On Saturday, June 4th, 2022, a special graduation ceremony was held to honor the record-breaking 247 apprentices graduating from IECRM’s 4-Year Electrical Apprentice Training Program. This monumental achievement was celebrated in person at the Westin Westminster in the presence of nearly 800 attendees including friends, families, instructors, and supporting companies. The event was live-streamed for those who could not attend in person. Click here to view the Graduation Ceremony photos.
TJ Scruggs, IECRM 2022 Instructor of the Year, welcomed guests to the ceremony and offered a piece of advice to the graduates as they move forward in their career paths. “I tell you this so you all can believe in yourselves. Don’t back down from something new that you have not done before or something you think is too hard. Try it because it will make you better. Always push yourself to get better. Try to better yourself each and every day. All you have to do is better yourself 1% each day. Whether it’s at work, at home, or whatever you want, just always ask yourself, ‘how can I make myself better by 1% today?’ Congratulations and best of luck to you all in your careers and your electrical journey. Go out there and be the best Sparktologists you can be. Remember in electrical, and in life, you always get the test first and the lesson later,” said Scruggs.
Governor Jared Polis recorded a special message for the ceremony. Click here to view the Governor’s message. “As the next generation of electricians in the industry and the next generation of leaders and business owners, you have so many avenues to explore in your own careers that are also going to contribute to a bright future for Colorado. From new technology that’s driving system automation in homes and businesses to beneficial electrification to EV charging to solar infrastructure – the electrical trade is where it’s at in moving Colorado forward!” said the Governor.
Rob Watkins, President of the IECRM Board of Directors and President of Ludvik Electric, took to the podium and shared his seasoned knowledge with the soon-to-be licensed electricians in the field. “Graduating from an Apprentice to a Journeyman is a rite of passage. It took a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to this trade to be here today. I am honored to have the opportunity to celebrate this rite of passage with you. 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. You have to take the risk. 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.
The Keynote Speaker was Katherine Keegan, Director of the Office of the Future of Work, Colorado Department of Labor & Employment. “What does it mean to be future-ready? Make sure you remain relevant. A combination of education, training, on-the-job learning, and life experiences makes an individual future-ready. A key aspect of being future-ready is having a life-long learning mindset and a plan to continue your education. Because skills and industries and jobs are changing so fast, it is incredibly important to stay educated in the newest technology for your industry,” shared Kegan. Click here to watch Katherine’s speech in its entirety.
Annette Gauna, IECRM Training Manager, 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 the ‘front line’ for the IECRM Apprenticeship Training program and we certainly could not do it without them,” said Gauna, who herself celebrates 25 years with IECRM this summer. Click here to view Annette’s message.
The following instructors have been teaching for 5 years at IECRM:
Kurt Hose: 3rd-year online and CEU instructor
Michele Rutt: 1st-year instructor in Ft. Collins
20 Years: Jim Hamilton
Instructor of the Year: TJ Scruggs
“TJ has given his valuable time to help with substitutions, continued education classes, and IECRM Instructor recruitment. We are excited for his future with IECRM as he is only in his second year as an instructor. He is truly one in a million and we are honored to have him on our team,” said Annette Gauna.
Alumni of the Year: Mark Ford
“Mark has been impactful to both our Apprenticeship Program as an Instructor and to the Electrical Industry, serving as an electrical inspector for the City of Westminster, IAEI Board Member, and a vast resource of knowledge in Code Enforcement and Interpretation,” said Gauna.
Special Recognition: Graduate Christian Veeder
“I would like to recognize an apprentice and soon-to-be-instructor who has gone above and beyond over the last 4 years. This student has always been a helping hand to our staff and even our own student body. Our entire team would like to thank Christian Veeder for being an outstanding student and individual for giving back to the IECRM community,” said Gauna.
25 Year Milestone: IECRM Training Manager Annette Gauna
IECRM Training Director Paul Lingo recognized the 4th-year winners of the recent IECRM Wire-Off Competition.
1st Place Wire-Off Winner: Christian Veeder, Custom Electrical Contractors, Inc.
2nd Place: John Smith, Nobleman Electrical Contracting
3rd Place: Phillip Bowman, King Soopers
“Christian 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 Louisville, Kentucky 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 that were identified by their peers and instructors and provided special recognition.
4th-Year Top Students
James P. Bliven – Broes Electric, Inc.
Floyd Borakove – Independent
Michael M. Butler – Weifield Group Electrical Contracting
Vladimir Bystrov – Merit Electric, Inc.
Dennis E. Lopeman – Independent
Aderliy Mercado – Encore Electric, Inc.
John Smith – Nobleman Electrical Contracting
Felicia Taylor – RK Electrical, LLC
Joshua Westra – APCO Electric, Inc.
The IECRM 2022 Salutatorian and Valedictorian, who have held the highest Cumulative GPA throughout their 4 years of apprenticeship, were asked to speak to their graduating class during the ceremony and both accepted the challenge. Highlights from their speeches are below.
Salutatorian Address: Michael Butler, Weifield Group Electrical Contracting
“As we celebrate our accomplishments I challenge all of you, new journeymen and women, as you step into your new roles, remember it is now up to us to build that next generation of ‘green’ first-year students. Let’s help them grow into fine electricians just like so many have helped us,” encouraged Butler. Click here to view Michael Butler’s message in its entirety.
Valedictorian Address: James Bliven, Broes Electric
“Everyone has electricity in them, quite literally down to a biological level. Electricians have a greater understanding of electricity… probably most of us have experienced it coursing through our bodies from an outside source! When you leave here today, you will be one of four students who began this journey and found the resolve to finish what you started.
The very fundamentals of electricity, PIER or Power-Intensity-Electromotive Force-Resistance, can drive you through life. Wherever your journey now takes you, such as running jobs, becoming a site lead, an in-house project manager, a project estimator, or an owner, your PIER will define you, as well as set your limitations. Great job IECRM class of 2022. Best of luck in your future endeavors.” Click here to view James Bliven’s message in its entirety.
IECRM CEO Marilyn Akers Stansbury took to the stage to congratulate the graduates, thank IECRM’s valued partners that share our passion for learning and advancement, and close out the ceremony.
“You are the new and emerging leaders in this industry. This day signifies both your current achievement and your foundation for continuous lifelong learning in this skilled trade and PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATION. Please stay connected to us – you are members of the association through your employers who are members of IECRM. Continue to engage and give us feedback so that we can continuously improve our school for the next generation of apprentices. You are the business owners and industry partners of the future. Most importantly, like Paul and Rob and Mark and so many of your instructors and employers, you are forever IEC Alumni!” said Marilyn Akers Stansbury.
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 2022 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 Stansbury.
Graduation Ceremony Sponsors:
Kenny Electric
Premier Sponsor
Weifield Group Electrical Contracting
Cap & Gown Sponsor
Welsh Electric
Breakfast Sponsor
The Home Depot Pro
Gift Card Sponsor
Encore Electric
Printed Program Sponsor
Graduate Tool Sponsors
To learn about a career in the electrical industry and join the esteemed group of IECRM Electrical Apprenticeship Alumni, visit iecrm.org/apprenticeship-program.