Page 28 - IEC Insights Mar-Apr19

FEATURE

AN APPRENTICESHIP LED TO A

LIFETIME OF MULTIPLE CAREERS

BY EDMUND (NED) JOHNS

’ve come from a long, family line of based company where I was working opening became available at Western
craftsmen and tradesmen so it made closed. However, it was a transition that Electrical Contractors Association (WECA)
perfect sense, as part of a later- gave me the opportunity to seriously and two apprenticeship instructors
in-life career change, to choose an consider what I wanted to do next. encouraged me to apply for it. I got
Iapprenticeship program – for the the job which soon led to a full-time
second time! At that time the electrical field was the position. I’m currently a California state
most intriguing of the options available credentialed trade instructor. Now I
At age 19, I entered a heavy-duty engine to me. Throughout my previous career primarily teach third year apprenticeship,
mechanic apprenticeship working I’d observed and interacted with many but I also instruct electrician trainees
alongside journeyman mechanics. electricians doing what I thought was and continuing education journeyman
My education was a combination significant, interesting, and mentally students enrolled in WECA’s online
of observing their actions and challenging work. Furthermore, programs. I also serve as a subject
applying their techniques, as well as based on my previous apprenticeship matter expert and a developer of various
learning from the training manager experience, I believed that by entering self-paced and classroom curriculum.
in a controlled classroom/laboratory an apprenticeship program again I
setting. The entire experience gave would quickly prosper in this new Throughout my life I have received the
me a personal understanding of the career field and still maintain a viable tremendous benefits of knowledge and
value of an apprenticeship program. source of income to meet the needs skill from many selfless people who have
I was paid for the work I performed, of my family…and I was right! given of themselves so that I could be
received instruction from a multitude of who I am today. I believe that I have been
skilled people, and was able to quickly I decided to join the Independent given the privilege to pour my knowledge
develop my own skills in the field. Electrical Contractors electrician and abilities into others so that they can
apprenticeship. While enrolled in the flourish as well. Apprenticeship programs
Twenty-five years later the diverse program I considered many of the aren’t just about jobs; it’s lifelong learning.
experience I gained from my first new career options available to me,
apprenticeship empowered me to become including field service electrician, project
a machinist, a service technician, an manager, estimator, safety coordinator, Edmund “Ned” Johns is the Area
accredited mechanical instructor, a service superintendent, and business owner. Training Manager for IDEAL Electrical.
manager, a field operations manager, However, I really wanted a position where He can be reached at (916) 871-2650
and even a senior research assistant for I could help others while continuing to or ned.johns@idealindustries.com.
Chevron (assisting with the R&D of engine further my education. In an auspicious
lubricants and fuels). In 2001, the internet- occurrence, a part-time instructor

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