Contact Us
DirectionsApprentice of the Day
We featured apprentices going above and beyond each day of Apprenticeship Week (Nov. 13 to 19, 2023). Read their stories below.
Friday, Nov. 17, 2023
Brendan Lawler, electrician – IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC employed by Benson Electric
Brendan Lawler demonstrates all the qualities of a successful apprentice: hardworking, willing to learn and dependable. Lawler appreciates being able to learn from his instructors and journeyworkers the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful electrician. Lawler's career goals include becoming a master electrician and run jobsites for contractors. Learn more about the IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC's registered apprenticeship program.
Keaton Patterson, electrician – Iron Range Electrical JATC employed by Hunt Electric
Described as dependable and highly accurate in his work, Keaton Patterson is making the most of his apprenticeship on Minnesota’s Iron Range. Patterson learned about the Iron Range Electrical JTAC’s registered apprenticeship program from others who completed the program. He appreciates having a career with steady employment and meeting all sorts of people on jobsites. He hopes to obtain his journeyworker license and possibly pursuing a masters license and opening a small electrical shop.
Rachelle Rahn, electrician – IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC employed by Belknap Electric
Simply described as, “Awesome!” by her employer, Rachelle Rahn is making the most out of her apprenticeship. Rahn enjoys the challenges, learning opportunities and financial stability being an electrician offers. She plans on continuing to learn and explore the many aspects of the electrical trade and pass the state journeyworker exam. Learn more about the IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC's registered apprenticeship program.
Nicolas Staska, electrician – St. Paul Electrical JATC – Local 110 employed by Muska Electric
After completing an electrical program through Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Nicolas Staska was accepted into the St. Paul Electrical JATC’s registered apprenticeship program. Since becoming an apprentice, he has been recognized by his instructors and contractors for his desire to excel, both in the classroom and on the job. Staska’s plans for the future include passing the state journeyworker exam and one day becoming an instructor to future apprentices.
Matthew Strahm, construction craft laborer – Construction Craft Laborers JAC (LiUNA) employed by Scaffold Services-API
Having tried several avenues, Matthew Strahm was unsure of what type of a career he wanted to pursue. After learning about the Construction Craft Laborers JAC’s registered apprenticeship program from a friend, he decided to give it a try and hasn’t looked back. Strahm enjoys the variety of work being a laborer brings and appreciates the benefits his apprenticeship offers.
Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023
Erin Kelley, electrician – Iron Range Electrical JATC employed by Hunt Electric
An electrical apprentice from a small town on Minnesota’s Iron Range, Erin Kelley is appreciative to have found an opportunity for a great career in the Northwoods. After beginning her career in the building and construction trades as a carpenter, Kelley decided to make the switch to the electrical field. She enjoys being able to learn on the job and her supervising journeyworkers. Kelley plans on continuing to learn as much as possible about the electrical trade and one day pursue a master electrician’s license. Learn more about the Iron Range Electrical JATC’s apprenticeship program.
Joshua Stirneman, electrician – South Central Minnesota Electrical JATC employed by Premier Electrical Corporation
A third-year apprentice with the South Central Minnesota Electrical JATC, Joshua Stirneman is being recognized for his excellence both in the classroom and on-the-job. Described by his instructors as a quick learn and a dedicated worker, Stirneman is quickly developing into a leader in the electrical trade.
Leah Warwas, electrician – Iron Range Electrical JATC employed by Hunt Electric
Leah Warwas was referred to the Iron Range Electrical JATC’s apprenticeship program by her electrical instructor at Hibbing Community College. Since starting her apprenticeship, Warwas has demonstrated the all the traits of a successful apprentice; hard working, willing to learn and a commitment to learning the electrical trade. Warwas' goals for the future include passing the state journeyworker exam and keep working on the Iron Range.
John Welch, electrician – IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC employed by Hunt Electric
After learning about the IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC registered apprenticeship program in high school, John Welch knew apprenticeship was the path for his future. Since becoming an apprentice, Welch has developed a reputation as someone who can be counted on to get things done. His career as an electrician have allowed him to purchase a home while getting to work with both his hands and brains.
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023
Eric Frazier, construction craft laborer – Construction Craft Laborers JAC (LiUNA) employed by Ram Construction
With an interest in construction and a desire for a career, Eric Frazier connected with the Urban League Twin Cities and was referred to the Building Strong Communities apprenticeship preparatory program. Frazier was hired by Ram Construction prior to finishing the program and began his apprenticeship. Frazier plans on completing his apprenticeship and being a role model for others in his community.
Eric Kelly, data base administrator – Workforce Development Inc.
Eric Kelly, an apprentice with Workforce Development Inc, is being recognized for maintaining an extremely high standard in his work and making great progress in his required training. With a willingness to share the knowledge he is gaining through his apprenticeship, Kelly strives to ensure all his co-workers can benefit from his experience. In the future, Kelly would like to be mentor for staff throughout the organization.
Patrick Setley, electrician – St. Paul Electrical JATC – Local 110 employed by Collins Electric
Deciding to make a career change, Patrick Setley left the pharmaceutical industry to become an electrical apprentice with St. Paul Electrical JATC – Local 110. Setley is recognized for consistently receiving high evaluations from contractors and being a mentor to fellow apprentices. Setley hopes to one day become a foreman and possibly give teaching apprentices a try.
Jayden Slattengren, electrician – IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC employed by Benson Electric
Growing up in a family of electricians, Jayden Slattengren knew from an early age he wanted to become an electrician. When Slattengren got the opportunity to join the IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC’s registered apprenticeship program, he made the most of the opportunity. He enjoys rotating between different contractors as it allows him to be more versatile in all areas of the trade, which in turn will help him to grow in his career.
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023
Vanessa Carrillo, construction craft laborer – Construction Craft Laborers JAC (LiUNA) employed by Hoffman Construction
With a positive attitude and a motivation to learn as much as possible, Vanessa Carrillo is making the most of her apprenticeship. Along with the financial stability and a variety of work, Carrillo enjoys being involved with her local union and being an advocate for women to explore a career in the trades. In the future, she plans to become a journeyworker and to continue to encourage more people to consider pursuing a registered apprenticeship. Learn more about the Construction Craft Laborers JAC’s apprenticeship program.
John Gitar, electrician – IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC employed by Belknap Electric
Beginning his career in construction industry as a carpenter, on the suggestion of a friend, John Gitar made the switch to an electrician when he was accepted into the Twin Ports Electrical JATC’s registered apprenticeship program. Gitar’s apprenticeship affords him the ability to pursue a career without any college debt, have access to good benefits and a variety of work each day. He plans on completing his apprenticeship and possibly pursuing a master electrical license. Learn more about the IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC’s apprenticeship program.
Samuel Godbout, electrician – IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC employed by PEC Solutions
While attending Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota, Samuel Godbout learned about the IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC registered apprenticeship program for electricians. Since becoming an apprentice, Godbout has received praise for his work ethic and willingness to learn as much as possible about the trade. Godbout's plans for the future include passing the state journeyworks license exam and training future apprentices. Learn more about the IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC’s apprenticeship program.
Kong-Meng Lee, bricklayer – Brick and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 MN/ND employed by Northland Concrete and Masonry
Kong-Meng Lee’s path to apprenticeship began by participating in the Building Strong Communities apprenticeship preparatory program. Motivated and willing to learn as much as possible, Lee is excited to complete his apprenticeship and be a positive role model for his children. Learn more about the Brick and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 MN/ND’s apprenticeship program.
Monday, Nov. 13, 2023
Connor Floerke, electrician – IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC employed by Belknap Electric
Open to new challenges and enthusiastic about the electrical trade, Connor Floerke is upbeat about his future as an electrician. New friends and mentors, valuable skills and earning a good income are some of the benefits his apprenticeship experience has afforded him. Floerke hopes to obtain a master electrician license and possibly become a contractor. Learn more about the IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC’s apprenticeship program.
Gage Knutson, mechatronics technician – Buhler Inc.
After deciding the traditional four-year college approach wasn’t the right fit, Gage Knutson decided to pursue a registered apprenticeship. Now a second-year apprentice, Knutson has embraced every opportunity to learn new skills and develop as a technical leader with Buhler Inc. Knutson will complete his apprenticeship in the spring of 2024 and will transition into full-time service technician role working for Buhler in Michigan.
Angie Kostreba, data base administrator – Workforce Development Inc.
Angie Kostreba is using her registered apprenticeship experience to benefit her organization and those they serve. Her experience is allowing her to develop a solid understanding of the policies and practices which impact Workforce Development Inc.’s programs. Kostreba's goal is to experience a wide variety of programs and apply her learning to benefit her organization.
Thomas Udenberg, electrician – IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC employed by Belknap Electric
Described by his supervisor as knowledgeable, well-round and with a knack for industrial settings, Thomas Udenberg is always up for learning something new. Udenberg enjoys the “earn-while-you learn” structure of his registered apprenticeship. His goal is to earn his journeyworker license and possibly a masters license. In the meantime, he plans to keep learning and advancing in the trade. Learn more about the IBEW/NECA Twin Ports Electrical JATC’s apprenticeship program.