Bill Blackman, Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 136, joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the importance of training the next generation of electrical workers through a registered apprenticeship program and how the Local uses virtual reality technology help recruit apprentices.
IBEW Local 136 has about 900 members and covers the Central Alabama area.
Blackman said it is important to give the next generation of electrical workers the proper training in order for them to perform quality work and improve the ways in which the work can be performed. The Local 136 JATC’s registered apprenticeship program gives them this training, which allows them to excel in the field.
He also explained several ways the Local recruits new members. The Local participated in a high school event that allowed the students to see the work an electrical worker performs on a daily basis. As part of their recruitment technique, the employs virtual reality to help get the students interested in the electrical field.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about apprenticeship recruitment.