LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Electrical JATC training program is opening applications for its largest class of apprentices.
When Harold Reynolds started his electrical apprenticeship, he thought it would be a temporary gig.
“I told the guy that introduced it to me that I was only doing it until something better came along,” says Reynolds.
That was 28 years ago. He found nothing better.
“The experiences we have in construction are pretty unique. There are a lot of my friends that will never have the experiences I’ve had,” says Reynolds. “Being on top of a water tower 350 feet up changing the light bulb, walking underneath the 14 miles of the tunnel we’ve got under the city of Louisville, being underneath Louisville Slugger Museum.”
Reynolds is now the training director at Louisville Electrical JATC.
The facility is accepting applications to train 210 new apprentices this fall. It would make the program’s largest class ever. Classes usually average around 135 apprentices.
Reynolds says the manpower is needed more than ever.
“There are a lot of companies that had issues or that had work on the table that was not able to be accomplished during COVID. They’re trying to play catch up with that. Of course, we’ve got all the infrastructure work coming up all the solar field, the battery plant, just down the road and E’town so work is still really really good,” says Reynolds.
Dajon Day is wrapping up his first of five years in the program.
He says he enjoys the combination of classroom instruction, hands-on training, real-world experience and, most importantly, earning up to $35 an hour while he learns.
“It’s just a great opportunity. It’s free and they are teaching me pretty much paying me to teach me. I just felt like it couldn’t be beat by any of the other options that I had available,” says Day.
Day has a degree in psychology.
He learned a skilled trade over getting a master’s degree to avoid student debt.
“If I wasn’t getting paid, I wouldn’t be doing it. I’m at a stage in my life where I can’t really afford to commit a whole lot of time to anything that doesn’t provide me with some income,” says Day.
For Day, it’s not just the money. It’s also about making an impact.
“My first job in the trade was working at St. Joe’s Orphanage and I mean for me, it just meant a lot to be working somewhere where I knew that we’re going to be providing better amenities and things that worked for kids who’ve lost their families and stuff like that,” says Day.
Reynolds says the program yields stronger finances, families and communities
“We’re teaching these young men and women a skill that they will have with them for their entire life. Nobody can ever take it away from them. They can go anywhere in the country and use it,” says Reynolds.
They will accept applications for the training program through June 19.
Applicants must be at least 17 and have a high school diploma or GED.