Electric Women of Local 48

Focus on Hilary Colbert, Apprentice Limited Energy Technician

Focus on Line Construction
 

Electric Women of Local 48 

This dynamic group of electricians will be a positive force for change within their local union and apprenticeship program. Here is their mission statement: 

"We are IBEW members reaching out to support women‚s entry into the trades, and to empower workers in general. We encourage diversity, democracy, and solidarity within our union and the labor movement. Our mission is: 

• To promote equal opportunity and employment for women at all levels of the IBEW structure. 
• To foster leadership in development and empower women to become active participants and leaders in the IBEW; 
• To provide assistance to and address discrimination complaints of women in the IBEW; 
• To promote, support and assist the organizing of women workers in the IBEW; 
• To encourage women workers to be greater activists in community and political affairs; and 
• To be actively involved in human, civil and women‚s rights organizations both within and outside of organized labor."

For more information call Margie Ramirez at (503) 642-4043. 
 

Focus on Hilary Colebert, Apprentice Limited Energy Technician

I enjoy my work. It is a challenge every day. Especially with the customer contact. It's never the same from day to day. I like making our customers happy. The support is out there for women coming into the industry and the job opportunities are amazing. We need more women that want to get in and do the work. I take a lot of pride in my work - just because someone else before you did a crappy job - you can get in and make it look good. 

Hilary is a Limited Energy Technician Apprentice. She performs preparation, layout from blueprints, installation and repair of low energy electrical systems such as telecommunications, intercom, alarm systems, electronic equipment and others. She goes to school two nights a week for 4 years and works at the same time. 

Applications for the Limited Energy Apprenticeship Program will be accepted from 10 am to 5 p.m. on April 14 & 15 and May 12 & 13 at 16021 NE Airport Way. A one-hour orientation will be offered from 9 am to 10 am on the application days. Call 262-9991 x 228 for more information. 
 

Focus on Line Construction

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee of the Northwest Line Construction Industry handles 3 different apprenticeship programs: Outside Electrical Lineworker, Oregon Power Line Clearance Tree Trimmer and Washington Power Line Clearance Tree Trimmer. 

Outside electrical lineworkers build and maintain power lines.  This includes digging and installing poles, stringing and maintaining the wires, as well as installing and maintaining electrical transformers and underground electrical distribution lines.  Tree trimming is its own entire apprenticeship program. Tree trimmers often work suspended from trees using ropes and harnesses or may work in aerial lift equipment.  Disposing of the trimmings involves lifting and dragging the brush and using a chipper. 

Good preparation for any of these three apprenticeships is to obtain a commercial driver's license, flagger card, and a first aid/CPR card.  Signing up on the Groundman out-of-work list at one of the two I.B.E.W. locals in Oregon is also recommended.  (Local 125 is in Gresham and Local 659 is in Central Point in southern Oregon). 

Other pathway jobs include parts runner, mechanic or flagging for a company doing linework or tree trimming.  Working for a cable company or doing phone work is also good background. 

The Outside Electrical Lineworker apprenticeship program covers all of Oregon and Washington as well as parts of California and Idaho.  One special challenge of this work is the extensive travel that can be required.  All the work is outside and can range from underground work to being up on a pole. 

There are orientations sessions for the apprenticeship programs and all applicants who submit the required information and demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements are invited to attend. 

The Outside Electrical Lineworker apprenticeship takes about 3 1/2 years of on-the-job training and includes 144 hours a year of related classroom studies.  Journey level wages are $26.52. 

For information about this apprenticeship, contact the Northwest Line Construction Industry JATC at (503) 972-5858.