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January 2017 Training Newsletter
Information for Apprentices, Journeymen, Electrician Trainees,
and Low Voltage Technicians
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For the week of January 23-27, 2017, we will be highlighting low voltage content across our social media channels.
Join us and reference these social media hashtags
#LowVolt #LowVoltWeek #LowVoltWECA #VDVWECA #FLSWECA
#lowvoltagetechnician
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Low Voltage Apprentices learning in WECA's Rancho Cordova hands-on lab
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With Low Voltage Week upon us, what better time to take a closer look at what our amazing low voltage technicians do, and how their job differs from that of a Commercial or Residential Wireman.
Low Voltage Technicians test, service, and maintain low voltage electronic and control systems equipment. These systems are classified as "low voltage" not because they present zero risk of electric shock, but because they operate at 50 volts or less. There is a reduced risk of electric arcs transmitted through the air when working with low voltage equipment.
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| A Low Voltage Apprentice hard at work in WECA's San Diego training facility |
Technicians are often divided into two categories: Voice Data Video technicians (or VDV techs), and Fire Life Safety technicians (or FLS techs).
Voice Data Video technicians establish communications systems by installing, operating, and maintaining voice, data, and video telecommunications network circuits and equipment. In other words, VDV techs are cable pros! They run, pull, terminate, and splice cables for everything from file servers, to telephone rooms, to the internet. If you use it to communicate or watch cat videos on YouTube, a VDV tech has probably made it possible.
Fire Life Safety technicians work on proprietary systems related to fire, life, and safety. All the systems they work on are covered under the National Electrical Code, article 760, and the National Fire Alarm Code. These systems can include (but are not limited): nurse call systems, integrated security systems, fire alarm and fire suppression systems. FLS techs keep us safe on a daily basis.
4000 hours of work are required to become a VDV or FLS tech, so you know they can handle whatever the job throws at them. They are unsung heroes that facilitate much of what we do (and take for granted!) on a daily basis. So this afternoon, load up a cat video, set off your fire alarm, and salute your low voltage tech for making it all possible.
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Spotlight on Low Voltage Classroom Training
WECA now offering Low Voltage Classroom Training for Trainees
Did you know WECA is now offering Low Voltage training, in the classroom, for trainees? Receive in-depth Voice Data Video and Fire Life Safety training at our Rancho Cordova training facility. These instructor-led classes are held over two weeks and include 80 hours of classroom and lab instruction.
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Low Voltage Apprentices in WECA's Rancho Cordova training facility labs
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Choose from...
- Fire Life Safety Technician 101 - This classroom and lab-based course is an in-depth introduction to fire-life-safety concepts, including: fundamentals of blueprint reading, structural drawings and project planning, alarm systems wiring, and more.
- Voice Data Video Technician 101 - This classroom and lab-based course is an in-depth introduction to voice-data-video, including:basic electrical concepts, introduction to telecommunications, grounding & bonding, signal & power quality, and more.
- Voice Data Video Technician 102 - This classroom and lab-based course continues in-depth instruction in voice-data video concepts, including:fiber optic theory, structured cabling systems, advanced standards and codes, copper and optical fiber cable testing and troubleshooting, and more.
Click here
to learn more about individual class descriptions, dates, and enrollment details.
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Meet Some of WECA's Low Voltage Apprentices
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Low Voltage Apprentice Koren McCollum hard at work
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We love sharing the success stories of our apprentices by spotlighting their amazing accomplishments. To celebrate Low Voltage Week, join us in revisiting a few of our past Low Voltage apprentice spotlight stories!
Meet
Koren McCollum. She's driven, has big plans for the future, and values working hard in both the classroom and the field--earning a well-rounded education.
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John Pendergraft on the job with Bergelectric
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John Pendergraft
is a third year Low Voltage Apprentice at WECA's San Diego training facility, and a Veteran of the United States Navy. He currently works as a fire alarm apprentice with Bergelectric.
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| Angelica Newby at a job site with Rex Moore Group, Inc. |
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Angelica Newby
is a Low Voltage Apprentice currently working for Rex Moore Group, Inc. She's
dedicated and committed to working with VDV and FLS systems, and has quickly climbed the ladder from WECA's Electrical Employment Fast Track Program (EEFT) to her Apprenticeship.
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WECA's Electrical Employment Fast Track Open House
Jan 11 brought new potential trainees to WECA HQ to learn more
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| Workforce Development Manager, Wendy Flanagan, at the EEFT Q&A |
Last Wednesday, January 11, WECA's Workforce Development team hosted the Electrical Employment Fast Track (EEFT) Open House at WECA's Rancho Cordova HQ.
Well over 60 potential trainees attended the event, which included an overview of the program, a Q&A session, and a tour of the labs by our very own instructor, Jimmie Slemp.
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| Jimmie Slemp shows potential trainees around WECA's Rancho Cordova Training Facility labs |
In addition to presenting the EEFT program, Workforce Development Manager, Wendy Flanagan also helped many ready attendees fill out and submit applications. The goal of these programs, says Wendy, is to help attendees determine if they are interested in the program. Though, when asked, she also said the most popular question at the Q&A is "When can I start!"
Each person who attended the event was entered in a raffle for a WECA hoodie, and we are excited that the winner was indeed an applicant to the program, so there will be plenty of opportunity for them to sport their newest piece of WECA swag.
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Thank You to Industry Partner Platt Electric Supply for their Recent Donations
A huge shout out to Platt Electric Supply for their generous and most recent donation! For years, Platt has donated "welcome bags" to WECA's First year, First semester Electrical Apprentices at our Rancho Cordova training facility. After providing three such donations at the end of 2016, totaling $2,400 in value, Platt's representative, Med Cram, met the most recent apprentices on Monday, January 9th.
The newest welcome bags contain a mug, tape measurer, beanie, hand-powered flashlight, a cooler section for food and beverage storage, and a six-piece Klein tool set! In addition, each student received a $10 promotional card to Platt's online store.
Donations like these help pave the way for a successful WECA apprenticeship--thanks again to Platt for their support throughout the years.
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Check Your Mail: New Insurance Cards Are Arriving
The new Anthem Blue Cross ID cards that contain your medical, dental, and vision information should be received shortly. If you do not receive your new card by the end of January, please call your insurance administrator, Cindy Cormier, at (916) 889-7117 or email her at
ccormier@goweca.com
so that she can assist you accordingly.
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Winter Coupon:
$10 off any class
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What's it like to be an Electrician?
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Are You a Veteran?
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WECA has a special, standing discount for you on any Electrician Trainee or Journeyman course. Call and talk to our client services team at 1-877-444-9322 to sign up with your discount.
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Western Electrical Contractors Association Inc. |
info@goweca.com |
1-877-444-9322|
w
ww.goweca.com
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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