Page 20 - IEC Insights Mar-Apr19

FEATURE

Coco quickly recognized the impact
that this type of training could have
on students. “ As a visual learner, I appreciate seeing the proper
demonstration of how a tool is used. But, actually
Coco says, “This program is probably working with the tool, being engaged with it in the
one of the biggest evolutions I’ve
seen during my 14-years of being lesson, really makes the educational material stick.”
at a technical institution.”
JOHN MA, GREENAPPLE LABS STUDENT
Washburn Tech recently installed an
innovative GreenApple Labs facility
on their campus. The new addition
is already making a big impact. always face the appropriate way, the tools GreenApple Labs’ approach to teaching
are in order in their respective cabinet – is vastly different than how Kinkaid and
Shawn Kinkaid is the electrical technology it’s nice to have a lab like that. It’s an Kiser learned. Both men have very similar
instructor at Washburn Tech. Kinkaid easy and fun environment to learn in.” stories of when they first began their
is a master electrician and has more career. Kiser says, “When I first started
than 20 years of field experience. He Fellow student, John Ma, is new to the in the trade, you didn’t have formal
entered into the educational field more program. After earning a bachelor’s training, you just learned as you go.
than three years ago to teach young degree in middle school math education, You’re shadowing someone rather than
students interested in the electrical and landing a teaching job, Ma decided learning from a technical standpoint the
industry and help them prepare for a that being a middle school math teacher installation practices, like what’s taught in
career. Kinkaid says that if GreenApple wasn’t the career for him. “I came the curriculum from GreenApple Labs.”
Labs had been at his school, he would into the electrical trade without any
be further along in his own career. knowledge of the tools,” says Ma. Since GreenApple Labs’ inception in 2014,
Lehr says more than 1,500 certificates
“No one really taught me in the field how The post-secondary student calls from Greenlee and NC3 have been
to use tools such as a bender. So, I bought GreenApple Labs “practical” because awarded to more than 650 students.
all of the Tom Henry and Mike Holt books every tool in the Lab is used in the “We are working with partners to evolve
and read about how to perform the task field. “As a visual learner, I appreciate the program to meet the training needs
and then tried it on the job,” says Kinkaid. seeing the proper demonstration of any emerging job that an electrician
of how a tool is used. But, actually may need to perform,” says Lehr.
The lessons in those books taught him working with the tool, being engaged
important fundamentals such as lengths, with it in the lesson, really makes the Both Kinkaid and Kiser believe the new
widths and deductions to perform educational material stick,” says Ma. method of hands-on training is providing
the job in the field. Kinkaid uses those a leg up for budding electricians. The
books along with the training packets Lesson lab manuals may include impacts of the skilled-labor shortage
provided by GreenApple Labs. schematics that a student must draw. coupled with the high-demand for trade
Once they draw it, the student then work means employers don’t have time
“I tell my students that if you take a is tasked to wire the device. It is a
hand bender onto the job site, it’s going different way of educating. Kinkaid to teach a new apprentice. Kiser explains
that having a certification from a credible
to get banged around, and the handle believes this teaching method is
where all the information is listed is providing two or three years of what source such as NC3, will likely make
the contractor feel more comfortable
going to get scuffed and you won’t would be on the job training in one
be able to read the markings,” Kinkaid year of schooling at Washburn Tech. knowing they won’t need to use the
journeyman’s time to train an apprentice.
says. “So, it’s critical they know the
information from beginning to end.” “They may not go out into the field “They can hire a more knowledgeable
and safer employee, which may help
as an expert, but they have done it at lower insurance rates.” Employing an
Wyatt Pringle is a Senior at Perry least a couple of times. My hope is that
Lecompton High School in Perry, Kansas. when they go out into the field and are apprentice that knows how to perform
His father is an electrician and a graduate tasked with the job, they recognize that the job not only improves productivity,
of the program at Washburn Tech. The they’ve done it. The apprentice might but ultimately helps grow business.
18-year old has been attending classes be slow at doing it, but they’re ahead
taught by Kinkaid for nearly one year.
of the game because they know how Liz Dorland is a public relations
to perform the job,” says Kinkaid. associate at Swanson Russell, a
Says Pringle: “Every day that we come marketing communications agency
into the lab, it’s always clean. The stools based in Lincoln, Nebraska.

18 Insights Magazine | March/April 2019 | www.ieci.org