Congratulations to all 2020 and 2021 Graduates

The last couple of years have been challenging for all of us, including in the apprenticeship community. Our apprenticeship programs and our apprentices have fought through the COVID-19 pandemic with perseverance and hard work. I’ve seen creativity and resilience in programs, as they pivot and continue to provide quality training.

I’ve also seen apprentices persevere, as they continue to pursue their career aspirations. Below are only a handful of the graduations that have taken place, but I want to extend my congratulations to all of the 2020 and 2021 apprentice graduates. I challenge you all to continue to expand your knowledge and give back to others by mentoring them as you were mentored. Your apprenticeship certificate of completion represents the long hours of classroom instruction and on-the-job training you went through to learn portable skills that will last a lifetime. Congratulations!

ABC NorCal and The Salvation Army Alameda County Celebrate Graduates

Graduates of the Construction Leadership Training and their families celebrated their achievements on September 3, 2021. Associated Builders and Contractors of Northern California (ABC NorCal) and the Salvation Army Alameda County partnered to provide transformational skills for individuals in need of personal reform, after encountering recovery or homeless programs. While some graduates are switching career paths, others are gaining a change in lifestyle after experiencing substance abuse, homelessness, or a cycle of entries within the justice system.

The Construction Leadership Training is a two-week program producing tangible job opportunities. In addition, individuals attend a one-week soft-skills course with the Salvation Army covering job readiness training and developing resumes, cover letters, interview preparation and dress for success.

Each student is given the opportunity to become an expert of a vocation within the construction industry, to help achieve his or her career dreams. The students have the option to either receiving priority entry into ABC NorCal’s Apprenticeship Programs, get placed directly with partner East Bay contractors to begin working at a livable wage, or the student receives assistance in finding employment through job fairs. With classes in electrical work, students receive electrician trainee cards, OSHA 10 certification, a Construction Training Card, boots, tools and a tool belt to be ready to walk on to a construction site.

Redwood Empire Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee

Congratulations to the 2020/2021 Redwood Empire Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee apprentice graduates! The 17 graduates for 2020 and 16 graduates for 2021 completed 60 months and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, while remaining flexible as they navigated the challenges of the pandemic.

Special congratulations go to Zachary Miller, who was named outstanding apprentice of the year. Zachary completed the residential wireman program in 2020.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Graduation Dinner

The 2020 and 2021 graduates of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s machinist apprentice program were honored on July 29 for completing the demanding four-year apprenticeship and recognizing their passage to becoming registered journeyman machinists in the State of California.

Western Electrical Contractor’s Association

WECA held its graduation ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021 in late August. Graduates and their families attended the Southern California graduation event at Faulkner Winery in Temecula. WECA's Curriculum Development Manager, Tom Thompson, spoke on behalf of everyone at WECA when he told the graduates “We are thankful that we’re able to celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments in person once again this year…we are so proud of every one of you!”

Bay Area Sheet Metal JAC

In 2021, the Bay Area Sheet Metal JAC saw 180 apprentices graduate from 16 different Bay Area counties. GPA awards were given to five of the apprentice graduates who maintained the highest grade point average, and best attendance awards were presented to 38 apprentice graduates. Congratulations to all!

Northern California Cement Masons

On August 28, 2021, a small and short ceremony was held in a rustic barn to commend all of the graduates achievements. Congratulations to the Northern California Cement Masons graduating classes of 2019 & 2020!

“The road to your graduation from the cement masons apprenticeship program was not easy, but you all kept on it and reached the end of your apprenticeship, and the beginning of your long and satisfying career. To become a Journeyperson in this trade is an honor. Hard work pays off. You are now the future mentors of new apprentices.”—Jorge Romero, Business Agent and JATC Instructor

Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California

As with many businesses worldwide, COVID-19 impacted all aspects of apprenticeship from indenture to completion at Carpenters Training Trust Fund for Northern California (CTTFNC). DocuSign was incorporated into the indenture process to minimize physical contact while continuing to fulfill the needs of the program. CTTFNC redeveloped curriculum to utilize a hybrid approach with in-person instruction and video conferencing for the delivery of curriculum. Personal training zones were created as an engineering control to implement and provide a safe social distancing environment for hands-on portions of instruction. These efforts resulted in the successful completion of 1,109 apprenticeship classes at all four training centers of CTTFNC with zero outbreaks.

“CTTFNC would like to recognize the participation from apprentices during this unprecedented time. Their commitment to the program and new processes resulted in 1,243 members completing their apprenticeship. CTTFNC would like to congratulate all new Journey Level graduates and wish them continued success throughout their careers.”—Peter O’Farrell, Executive Director

February 2022