Page 32 - IEC Insights Mar-April2020

MANAGEMENT METHODS

IEC Western Colorado

Partners with Youthentity

to Attract Youth

to the Electrical Industry

BY LUISA REYES
1

pon high school graduation, electrician is all about and discover an
teens have to figure out what alternative to attending a traditional four-
to do next. The traditional year college/university. As an electrical
four-year college/university apprentice they receive 8,000 hours of
Uroute is not for everyone. on the job training as well as 288 hours
Once students graduate from a four- of classroom training all the while earning
year institution, they not only walk away wages throughout the four years.
with a college degree, but likely a huge
amount of student loan debt. According Neva Hiscock, Executive Director of IEC
to Business Insider, student loan debt is at Western Colorado, shares a story of IEC 2
an all-time high. There are other options teamwork. “One night the students were
teens should consider, such as a trade given a lab assignment to do some pipe
industry, after high school graduation. bending by grabbing the wire in one
hand and using the tool in the other.”
Youthentity, based out of Colorado, She noticed a determined look on one
addresses this issue by helping kids student’s face. The student was having
find their unique talents while gaining difficulty in completing the task but,
the self-confidence, knowledge, collectively, the group engineered the
and skills necessary for a successful best way for the student to accomplish
future. Youthentity recently launched this task with one hand and by himself.
the Academy’s Structural Design 3
& Building Industry track for high In May, the students in the Youthentity
school students to explore the many program will graduate with a pre-
jobs and careers within the building apprenticeship certificate alongside
industry. Youthentity partnered with the apprentices from IEC Western
IEC Western Colorado to give the Colorado. Way to go IEC Western
youth of Colorado’s high schools more Colorado for showing the youth a
exposure to the electrical career path. bright path in the electrical industry!

IEC Western Colorado is using the newly
released IEC New Worker program to Luisa is the Chapter Development
educate high school juniors and seniors Manager for IEC National.
in the Youthentity program. These young
people come to class at IEC Western 1: 1ST DAY AT IEC WESTERN COLORADO.
Colorado every Tuesday from 12:30 pm – 2: TOOL IDENTIFICATION CLASS.
3:00 pm. The instructors all volunteer 3: PIPE BENDING 101 WITH OUR 3RD
YEAR TEACHER FROM ENCORE
their time and are licensed journeymen. ELECTRIC JOSH PIZZINO.
The youth learn what a career as an 4: WIRE STRIPPING. 4

30 Insights Magazine | March/April 2020 | www.ieci.org