Schedule Your Tour of a WECA Training Facility and See Why Our Programs and Member Benefits and Services Have Been Called "the Best in the West"


 

We've got an open invitation to electrical contractors to come tour a WECA Training Facility and see firsthand why WECA's apprenticeship and training programs and contractor member benefits and services have been called the "best in the West"!

Arrange your tour today

 

WECA is pleased to congratulate WECA Arizona Member Contractors Corbins, K2 Electric, and SECON for making the Phoenix Business Journal's Largest Phoenix-Area Electrical Contractors list!

Congratulations, everyone, on this achievement!

See the full list here.

Go Behind the Scenes at Our Open Houses

Video: Women in Construction Week 2025 Open House at WECA's Sacramento Region Office and Training Center?



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Women in Construction Week 2025 Open House at WECA's Phoenix Training Center/Arizona Headquarters

WECA Arizona hosted a Women in Construction Week 2025 open house in support of Women in Construction Week 2025 at our Phoenix Training Center/Arizona Headquarters on March 6.

The open house, which celebrated women in construction and educated attendees on the merits of WECA Arizona's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program, hosted attendees including secondary and post-secondary students, individuals pursuing career transitions, Phoenix-area electrical contractors and Phoenix-area community partners, educational partners and policy makers.

The highlight of the open house was a panel comprised of women from the apprenticeship and administrative sides of Phoenix's electrical industry. Participating in the panel were Shannon Denetsosie, WECA Arizona's first woman Commercial Electrical apprentice graduate and employee of WECA Arizona member contractor Corbins; Solei Donahue, a first-year WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical apprentice who works for Corbins; Arlev Oquendo-Boscan, a Quality Assurance Quality Control Inspector for Corbins and Ashley Whelihan, who works in Business Development for WECA Arizona Member Contractor K2 Electric.

The panel members provided insight into their reasons for working in the electrical industry and the rewards and challenges of doing so, and shared advice with attendees considering pursuing careers in the electrical industry.

Shelly Seitz, a program manager for Grand Canyon University's Center for Workforce Development, and Kate Glantz, the co-founder of Move Over Bob, a tradeswoman-led media and lifestyle brand, also attended the open house.

"The support of our partners is just as important as the efforts of our members in providing a quality view of the opportunity that awaits the women who would like to become tomorrow's electricians," said Heath Anderson, WECA Arizona's Outreach and Workforce Development Specialist. "We deeply appreciate Corbins, K2, and PCL for having staff on hand to speak to our guests about working in our trade. Several guests have already put in applications [for apprenticeship] with a few of our members. Hopefully, the coming years will see a greater number of women helping build the Arizona we want."







K2 Electric employees there in support included (from left to right): Michelle Cameron, HR Recruiting; Stephanie Misplay, Workforce Planning Specialist; Amber Todd, HR Supervisor; Ashley Whelihan, Business Development, and Robyn Rosenboom, Director of Workforce Development



Corbins panel participants (from left to right): Solei Donahue; Shannon Denetsosie, and Arlev Oquendo-Boscan



Speaking panel of Corbins and K2 Electric employees included (from left to right): Shannon Denetsosie of Corbins; Arlev Oquendo-Boscan of Corbins; Ashley Whelihan of K2 Electric, and Solei Donahue of Corbins

 

WECA is excited to announce an update to our original WECA-developed virtual reality (VR) app for apprenticeship: BESS 2.0, the second iteration of WECA’s VR gaming app focused on Commercial Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)!

Fourth-year Commercial Electrical apprentices studying Commercial BESS have been practicing hands-on skills on a real-world project complete with interactive jobsite simulations in VR since the app’s introduction in our curriculum in Fall 2023.

During gameplay in the BESS VR app, apprentices reference plans; see the actual scale and layout of BESS containers; and explore and interact with PV inverters, transformers, and switchboards. Apprentices also use maps and checklists to walk through the jobsite and inspect equipment, connections, signage and more—everything needed for pre-commissioning approval. Along the way, they're quizzed with questions related to Code articles and site-specific requirements, and presented with problems and opportunities to fix them to pass inspection.

BESS 2.0 adds solar panels, enhanced accuracy in replicating real-world jobsites to prepare apprentices for the evolving demands of the industry, an expanded range of learner interactions such as new tools and tasks that help apprentices verify that clearances meet code requirements and reinforce critical safety and compliance standards, and advanced assessment and feedback features that offer detailed performance insights to help apprentices improve their skills.

“Our newly enhanced in-house BESS VR simulation offers a cutting-edge training experience with a streamlined inspection process, allowing users to efficiently navigate job site evaluation for pre-commissioning,” says Maris Kaplan, WECA’s Curriculum Development Manager. “These enhancements were driven by extensive testing conducted by our curriculum team, who observed apprentices in real training sessions and gathered instructor feedback. This iterative process revealed opportunities to improve engagement and clarity, leading to key upgrades such as the introduction of Ollie, our virtual site supervisor. Ollie provides real-time guidance and hints, ensuring a smoother learning curve. Additionally, we condensed the original three-part inspection into one, prioritizing key takeaways and increasing immersion.”

BESS 2.0 is already rolling out in a fourth-year WECA commercial apprenticeship classroom near you. We’re pleased to continue our apprentices’ journey of immersive discovery and for WECA to continue to pave the way for implementing state-of-the-art learning technologies in industry-leading apprenticeship curriculum. 

Content Courtesy of Construction Dive
 

As spending, interest and education around artificial intelligence increases, pressure grows for contractors to either adapt or get left by the wayside.

By: Matthew Thibault • Published Jan. 8, 2025

In an era of rapid technological advancement for the construction industry, one piece of technology looms above the rest in status and notoriety — artificial intelligence.

Its omnipresence in the larger business conversation has not escaped construction. While industry pros took a cautious stance toward the tech after its widespread release in late 2022, contractors are now increasingly turning to AI in order to solve business problems, largely via chat-like interfaces that serve up hard-to-find project specs with just a few keystrokes.

For example, London-based Balfour Beatty is in the process of developing StoaOne, a large language model generative AI assistant that will help employees mine what Kasey Bevans, Balfour Beatty US chief information officer, calls “untold billions of data points.”

“To our teammates, it will feel like StoaOne is talking to them, providing instant insights and project information as they procure, plan and execute their projects,” Bevans said in an email to Construction Dive.

Swedish contractor Skanska is also working on its own AI helper — Sidekick, a generative AI chatbot built on the same technology as ChatGPT, which will help employees at the company plumb the firm’s collective expertise on projects and problems. The company told Construction Dive that Sidekick had seen over 2,500 interactions during the 30 days prior to Dec. 16, when Skanska pulled the data.

Using AI in this way addresses one of construction’s oldest and most fundamental challenges – namely, culling together and making sense of information from hundreds and even thousands of stakeholders on a project in an industry that is more fragmented than unified. The result has been an AI arms race among contractors to develop tools — or bolt them together off the shelf — to make sense of myriad data sources in seconds. 

“Data is everywhere, and it’s unstructured, and the challenge that I’ve had over the last four or five years is coming up with the right meta tagging schemes or structures to make them universally useful to everyone,” said Mike Zeppieri, vice president of emerging technology at Skanska USA. “What AI has allowed us to do is not have to worry about that as much, as long as we build it into a data model.”

Top down and bottom up

However, as AI democratizes access to project information and the knowledge gap levels out, contractors are also feeling heat to adopt it faster, and better, than their peers.

While most see it as a tool to aid their business, contractors are also experiencing a subtle, underlying pressure to adapt or get left behind — whether from higher ups at the home office or teams’ telegraphed sense of urgency in the field. 

In particular, small contractors have reached a critical point in their businesses, where it’s important to keep up with tech adoption.

“It’s time to get big or strongly consider an exit very shortly,” said Chad Prinkey, the CEO of Baltimore-based Well Built Construction Consulting, a strategic consulting firm. Prinkey added that for a business to make those leaps, it needs financial strength.

“If you’d rather spare yourself the hassle of growth, consider selling as close to now as possible. Prices for small firms will diminish as the gap in sophistication between them and their acquirers grows,” Prinkey said.

In that sense, technology leaders may get squeezed from the top down, but also from the bottom up, where if they don’t implement AI as a business, their boots on the ground may go out and acquire it themselves. For example, while Gilbane prides itself as a tech-forward contractor, its field personnel have been clamoring for even faster uptake.

“We [started] to hear a lot of feedback and a lot of noise from our field teams, saying, ‘Why are we not doing this?’” said Rawle Sawh, Providence, Rhode Island-based Gilbane Building Co.’s director of operations technology. “‘A competitor of ours is doing this. Why are we not doing it?’”

More tech, more money

Contractors across the globe are already experimenting with AI as a means to enhance their businesses via outside companies.

Gilbane, for example, used New York City-based Trunk Tools’ chat-like offering to track nearly 21,000 documents on its $456 million joint venture renovation of the Baird Center, a Milwaukee convention venue. 

“How important is AI to the business as we move forward?” mused Lindsay Marshall, Gilbane’s director of data and analytics. “We recognize the power and the criticality of staying on top of the value that AI can offer.”

As AI’s value grows, so does the cash spend on the part of contractors looking to leverage it better, faster and smarter.

Jim Barrett, chief innovation officer for New York City-based Turner Construction, said that the company has at least tripled or quadrupled its investment in AI over the past couple years. 

Barrett said that while the firm already has in-house AI staff, the next steps would be to implement other large language models, like Google Gemini or Anthropic’s Claude, another conversational LLM backed by Google and Amazon, and integrate them into the company’s in-house systems.

“We’re moving very quickly, and the challenge is keeping up with the rate of improvement in the AI solutions,” Barrett said.

Gilbane’s philosophy on AI usage is similar. Sawh said that if teams can demonstrate a need for a solution as well as a return on investment for the builder, Gilbane will likely spring for it.

“Let’s just say, where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Sawh said.

No risk, no opportunity

While contractors say AI provides a host of benefits, the advancement brings an implied problem — builders who fall behind in adopting the tech also risk losing a competitive edge in the marketplace, experts say.

Turner’s Barrett echoed a popular refrain — that AI won’t take a worker’s job, but the person who uses AI will. The same, he said, is true of companies, in that a builder that uses AI will disrupt the business of a builder that doesn’t.

“What I see in our industry and other industries is caution, almost fear, imagining all these scenarios of things that could go wrong,” Barrett said. “If you want zero risk, you also have zero opportunity.”

Balfour Beatty’s Bevans agreed.

“We also know that adopting new technologies and implementing them in our operations differentiates ourselves so we can significantly change the construction industry,” Bevans said.

Gilbane’s Sawh takes a more measured approach. Despite the company’s ongoing adoption of AI, the tech’s status as make-or-break tool is still undecided, in his view.

“I don’t necessarily know if it would sink the ship,” he said about not adopting AI generally across the business to maintain a competitive position in the market. At the same time, he also aims to give his field teams the tools they need to do the job.

“We want to be able to support them, and this is the only way we can do it, by staying ahead of it,” Sawh said.

WECA’s new Industry Partner, Boyett Petroleum, is a third-generation independent fuel supplier of branded and unbranded petroleum products—including wholesale gasoline and diesel fuel—for the Western and Central United States. Their wholesale fuel solutions serve a variety of industries, such as branded gas stations, unbranded gas stations, trucking companies, and the agricultural industry.

Boyett Petroleum also offers a CRUISE Americard fleet card designed to help manage and maintain companies’ fleet fuel needs. This universal fleet card is a great tool to help businesses manage one of their largest expenses—fuel for their vehicles—and it’s customizable to help businesses save money on fuel. Businesses can set restrictions on the card including time of day, transactions per day, dollar limits per day, dollar limits per month, and the blockage of expensive stations to save, on average, 20 cents per gallon.

Boyett Petroleum’s solutions can help WECA Member Contractors “know to the penny” what they are spending on fuel. The universal fleet card is versatile—it can be used for fuel, or it can be used at businesses such as Jiffy Lube for oil changes. The card’s versatility is up to the discretion of the business. Fraud protection is included free of charge, and Boyett Petroleum does not charge any fees, does not require a contract, and customers receive 10 cents off per gallon of fuel for the first three months of use.

WECA Member Contractors interested in working with Boyett Petroleum for their fueling or vehicle maintenance needs can contact:

Northern California and Utah: Ryan Ostorero, CRUISE Americard Business Development Representative, at ROstorero@Boyett.net

Southern California and Arizona: Erica Alvarez, CRUISE Americard Business Development Executive, at EAlvarez@Boyett.net





Download Boyett Petroleum's CRUISE Americard flyer here.

Meet Some of the Inspiring Women in Our Programs

Mariah Catuiza, WECA Fresno Commercial Electrical Apprentice

Mariah Catuiza, who works for WECA Member Contractor Westech Systems and is a Commercial Electrical Apprentice at our Fresno Training Facility, explains the benefits of WECA's apprenticeship training program, tying it to her own career progression, and encouraging other women to consider the electrician career path:



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Amanda Young, WECA Sacramento Low Voltage Apprentice

Amanda Young, Low Voltage Apprentice at our Sacramento Training Facility who works for WECA Member Contractor Intelecom Data and Fiber, discusses how fun and rewarding the work can be that she gets to undertake in WECA's apprenticeship training program. She talks about how the Low Voltage field covers a variety of technologies, and how she enjoys that she and other members of her cohort all get to work on different facets of the industry and share that knowledge with each other when they meet up in class. She strongly encourages other women to consider this career:



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Shannon Denetsosie, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice Graduate

Shannon Denetsosie, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice Graduate employed with WECA Member Contractor Corbins, discusses her sense of accomplishment in completing the four-year program, and talks positively about how at first it was a little intimidating being on a worksite that was mostly men, but she quickly found that everyone helps each other out and "It's like you're getting more brothers in your family." Shannon says that she's loving what she does, and she encourages other women to go for it and explore electrical apprenticeship with WECA and this career!



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In Her Own Words: Shannon Denetsosie, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice Graduate

Content courtesy of Shannon Denetsosie

"Construction work was not new to me. Growing up on the Navajo reservation, I watched my grandfather work in mines and heard the stories of how he built the home that I was raised in with no training or schooling of any kind. Seeing what my grandfather built and later the buildings that my dad worked in as a welder, I was always so proud to know that my family had a hand in building things.

I went into construction at the age of 18 and worked as a laborer or welder's helper for a few years, until I became a mother at 20 years old. I became a stay-at-home mom for a year, then started working as a production worker, a picker, then one day I was given an opportunity to work as a Quality Control Inspector for a roofing company that produced roofing insulation. After that, I went on to work in quality positions in plastics and food companies.

During my last job before entering into electrical, I worked as a Production/Shipping/Quality Control Supervisor for a gelato company. As I worked, I attended Pima Medical Institute in Veterinary Technology. I graduated 9 years ago with an Associate degree. However, getting a job in that field is a lot harder than I expected and life sometimes does not allow you to continue what you aspired to do.

Going into the electrical trade was something that just happened after trying to make ends meet with just a warehouse position and crazy hours sometimes, but with very little pay to make ends up. To go into a specific trade, I had my fears and uncertainties of what I would have to deal with.

My first job as an electrical worker was with Delta Diversified at Desert Diamond Casino, where I learned how to terminate transformers, panels, dimmer panels, and all things electrical. I realized that I was good at what I was doing and became more interested in how everything worked.

I had planned to get into their apprenticeship program. However, their program did not fit my life. Then COVID hit and I was let go. I wanted to continue my journey in electrical, so through temp agencies I took jobs for electrical work or even QC work and put in applications with electrical companies.

After many interviews and no luck on anything, I decided to try getting back into veterinary.

Then I got an interview with Corbins and was hired that day in December 2020. Since that day, I went from being an electrical worker to an apprentice who is near the end of completing the program. (Editor's note: In the time since this was written, Shannon successfully completed and celebrated her graduation from WECA's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship in Arizona.)

I honestly did not think that I would be able to come this far. However, with Corbins' partnership with WECA, it has made it possible for me to work and be in school, and get tons of on-the-job training, especially with being a single mother of two.

The apprenticeship program fits my life as a single mother and I love to learn new things and how things work. Throughout all these events leading up to where I am now, being in the construction trade has helped me build confidence in myself as well as enable me to provide for my kids.

I am now in the QA/QC department and am still looking to progress and learn more skills in this trade.

As a mother and woman in the electrical trade, I have set an example for my kids that if mom can do this, they can do it and accomplish their dreams.

Now my son is currently working for Delta Diversified at the second Desert Diamond Casino being built. He plans to enroll in their apprenticeship program at their next session.

Now with my daughter in her senior year of high school, her goals are to be a veterinarian, a welder, a mechanic, and an electrician.

It fills me with pride as a mother and woman, that I could set an example for my kids that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

All thanks to Corbins and their partnership with WECA. I continue to learn and have had more doors open up to learning more in this trade." 

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Solei Donahue, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice

This Women in Construction Week 2025, WECA is pleased to reintroduce Solei Donahue, a WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice.

WECA previously spotlighted Solei’s accomplishments in June 2024, following her inspiring speech during the 2024 State Workforce Summit in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Solei, who is a Native American woman from the Gila River Indian Community in Sacaton, Arizona, joined the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship program through WECA and her employer’s (WECA Arizona Founding Member Contractor Corbins) partnership with Grand Canyon University’s pre-apprenticeship program.

“I joined Corbins through a fifteen-week internship program at Grand Canyon University,” Solei said during her speech. “I decided it would be a good experience on my resume, and it would be useful for the future. But I knew once the second semester had started, that this was something I was interested in doing for the rest of my life.”

Solei also said during her speech that the pre-apprenticeship program “gave me confidence to keep pushing myself to stand for all the women in the workforce” and has aided her in “becoming a mature adult who is succeeding at life, in general…this program has given me all the tools and will continue to help me on my journey to becoming a future successful journeywoman.”

Looking back to when she started her official apprenticeship with WECA and Corbins, Solei reflects “I’ve always had an interest in doing the same things guys are doing, and when I found out they want women in construction, I was eager to join.”

Solei says that her first semester at WECA went by quickly but was motivating.

“It was a lot to learn, but I never got discouraged, because I was able to learn with my peers and the instructors are very helpful and encouraging,” Solei said. “I was able to gain new knowledge, and it has helped motivate me to keep furthering my education in the trade so I can help others who started out like me. It has allowed me to work independently in the field with the confidence in what I am doing every day.”

Solei’s positive experience with WECA and the industry leads her to believe that more women should pursue careers in the electrical industry because they will feel “empowered” and states her belief that women “often possess knowledge that others may not.”

Solei credits the powerful women who have “instilled confidence in her” with her success and determination.

“I’d like to thank Shelly Seitz for helping me be confident in my journey, and to the people who are more encouraging and accepting of women starting out in construction,” Solei said. “I’d also like to shout out my biggest supporter and the woman who made me who I am today—my mom, Janice. Without my mom, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am, or as passionate about speaking about my journey, no matter how hard it might have been. I have deep appreciation for everyone I’ve met on this journey and am very excited to see who I’ll meet in the future!”

Thank you for being part of the WECA family, and the growing cohort of women in the electrical industry, Solei! We are inspired by your dedication to encouraging women to join the electrical industry and your support for women already in the electrical industry. It is an honor to have you representing WECA (and women in the industry) in Arizona!

 

WECA is pleased to introduce you to Brandon Drew, our Apprenticeship Workforce Development Recruiter and Outreach Specialist.

Brandon, who is based at WECA’s California headquarters in Sacramento/Rancho Cordova, is a Sacramento native and a graduate of Sacramento State. He previously worked as a regional recruiter in the security industry and was drawn to WECA because of the heavy emphasis on recruitment and outreach.

“I take pride in supporting the community, and this role allows me to connect with many people from different communities and backgrounds,” says Brandon.

Brandon’s role at WECA is multifaceted and dynamic. He is often out in the field, attending career fairs and speaking at schools to educate students on the benefits of WECA’s apprenticeship programs. When back in the office, Brandon proctors apprenticeship intake tests and hosts orientation sessions for accepted apprenticeship applicants.

“I like the work environment at WECA, visiting people in the community, and the support that I receive from WECA’s Workforce Development team. The confidence and support my team provide helps me daily and lets me know we are all working toward the same goal,” says Brandon.

When not hard at work reaching out to and educating future apprentices about WECA’s apprenticeship programs, Brandon’s mantra is “soccer is my life”.

Aside from watching games “religiously”, Brandon enjoys watching his daughter play competitively for Placer United. And, when his daughter is not playing, Brandon plays soccer on Sundays in an adult league.

Brandon is a great asset to WECA’s Workforce Development team. His enthusiasm for performing outreach and championing WECA’s apprenticeship programs shines through in everything he does. We look forward to seeing him continue to excel in his role! 

 

WECA is happy to announce the launch of the new and improved WECA Gear Store--now offering many items, with offerings slated to grow over time. 

Additionally, the WECA Gear Store is now entirely self-service for online fulfillment. 

Check it out here. Happy shopping! 

Content Courtesy of CPUC


 

Content courtesy of CPUC

We’re pleased to invite you to an upcoming webinar hosted by the Solar-Utilities Reporting, Guidance, and Education (SURGE) initiative on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, from 12:30-1:30 pm via Microsoft Teams.

This webinar will provide valuable information on the SURGE initiative, designed to streamline the reporting process for solar contractors who need to comply with AB 2143/PUC 769.2. During the webinar, we’ll cover topics on prevailing wages and how to ensure compliance with AB 2143. Whether you’re a prime contractor, subcontractor, or industry professional, this webinar will help you understand and prepare to meet AB 2143 requirements.

Register here

Please visit our website for more information and resources for contractors. 

And the Sponsors and Gift Donors Who Helped Make Their Graduation Celebration Memorable

Watch highlights from the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2024 Graduation:



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Please join us in congratulating the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2024 on their graduation!

WECA celebrated our graduates' hard work and accomplishments with a graduation ceremony on February 8th at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel in Phoenix.

The graduation was emceed by WECA Arizona Apprenticeship Manager and Lead Instructor Keith Smart, who ensured the evening proceeded seamlessly. WECA was also pleased to have Don Black (CEO), John Berkhoel (Director of Apprenticeship Training and Facilities), Wendy Flanagan (Director of Apprenticeship Operations), Bob Bartlett (Regional Manager of Business Development, Outreach, and Arizona Operations), and LaKeal Morris (Sacramento-based WECA Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship instructor) on hand to help hand out diplomas, grad gifts, and celebrate.

Relive the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2024 graduation celebration through some recollections below:

Don Black: “It is always inspiring and a pleasure to attend a WECA graduation. Arizona’s graduation was especially wonderful, as many of the graduates spoke during the ceremony. It is rewarding to hear how wonderful their experience was and how grateful they are to have been a part of WECA and the gratitude they show towards their sponsoring employer.”

Keith Smart: “It was an amazing night in seeing the progression from apprentice to journeyman. It was an emotional night filled with the excitement and anticipation of the next step in each new journeyman’s life and career. It is an honor to be part of their lives, even if only for a short time.”

Wendy Flanagan: “It was great to see so many of the grads and their loved ones and the contractors that sponsored them at the event. Everyone was excited, and you could feel the energy in the room. Many of the grads chose to say a few words and hearing them thank their contractors, families, WECA, and Keith especially, was quite moving.”

Bob Bartlett: “The graduation was a resounding success, with a jubilant atmosphere among graduates and their families and friends. Many graduates shared their personal achievements and reflections upon receiving their certificates. Notably, those who had transferred from other programs highlighted the superior quality of WECA’s training compared to our competitors. One graduate remarked that the differences between WECA and the other training organization were substantial—like comparing day and night.”

Congratulations to the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2024! Thank you for being part of the WECA family and exemplifying WECA excellence in Arizona. We are proud of your hard work and dedication and look forward to seeing the collective impact you will continue to have on Arizona’s commercial electrical industry. 

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Some snaps from the evening:

























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Thank you to the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2024 Sponsors and Gift Donors for their generosity and support:



Our sponsors and gift donors helped make the graduation a night to remember for our graduates and their families!
 

Volts Level Sponsors

Corbins

K2 Electric

 

Amps Level Sponsor

Fluor

 

Watts Level Sponsors

PCL Construction

Switchgear Solutions Inc.
 

Gift Donors

Milwaukee Tool

Klein Tools

IDEAL Industries

 

Women in Construction Week 2025 is March 2nd-8th!

You're Invited to WECA's Phoenix and Sacramento Open Houses in Celebration of Women in Construction Week 2025

Please Join Us or Share This Invite with Someone Who Should Attend

When: March 6th from 3:30 to 5:30 PM

Where: 2750 South 18th Place, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85034

RSVP for the Women in Construction Week 2025 Phoenix Open House



Download a WECA Arizona WIC Week 2025 Open House flyer

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When: March 4th from 3:00 to 4:30 PM

Where: 3695 Bleckely Street, Rancho Cordova, CA 95655

RSVP for the Women in Construction Week 2025 Sacramento Open House



Download a WECA CA WIC Week 2025 Open House flyer

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This March, WECA is celebrating Women in Construction Week 2025 with open houses at our Phoenix training facility and Arizona HQ and our Sacramento-area training facility and California HQ.

Join us at these open houses to learn how to get involved in WECA's electrical apprenticeship and training programs, get tours of WECA's training facilities and labs while meeting the WECA team and networking with women in the field, and celebrating women in the electrical workforce.

We encourage you to pre-register for the events to secure your spot, though we will accept walk-ins on the day of the event. However, pre-registration will allow you to receive event reminders and updated event information.

Not for you? Please share this invitation with someone you know!

 

Foundation for Fair Contracting Offering Prevailing Wage and Labor Compliance Conferences and Webinars in 2025


 

Content courtesy of the Foundation for Fair Contracting

If you are interested in improving your success when working on public works construction projects, make a plan to attend one of the Foundation for Fair Contracting's upcoming prevailing wage and labor compliance conferences and/or webinars.

Please save the following dates on your calendar. All conferences and webinars will be co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner's Office.

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Webinar
 

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Conference (Live Event)
 

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Webinar
 

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Webinar
 

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Conference (Live Event)
 

Register to attend the conference or webinar of your choice

Learn Strategies to Tackle Tariffs and Price Increases at Associated General Contractor (AGC)'s Feb. 27 Webinar "The Art of Dealing with Tariffs"


 

Content courtesy of AGC

AGC Member Price: $79 | Non-Member Price: $129

Join us Thursday, February 27th at 3PM ET to proactively minimize your risks related to tariffs, price increases, and supply chain disruptions. Tariffs jeopardize your business, register now to proactively protect your bottom line.

The Trump Administration has issued three executive orders to impose new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. Additional tariffs are expected in the coming weeks; just the threat of tariffs can significantly impact costs and supply-chain availability. Donald Trump wrote the book on the "Art of the Deal." This webinar will write your playbook on how to equip your company with tactics to mitigate the cost and disruption impacts caused by new tariffs.

Our expert speaker panel will provide strategies and specific tactics to protect your business and understand the big picture. You will learn how to address tariffs in your existing contracts and how to bid and negotiate contracts on future work. Significantly, this webinar will explain in detail how a well-drafted price escalation clause is the best approach to address this uncertain situation. The presentation will also evaluate other contract avenues, including choice of law and force majeure provisions. You will learn how to fairly allocate these risks among owners, general contractors, trade contractors, and suppliers. By registering for this webinar, you will be in a better position to utilize contractual best practices to safeguard your projects against new tariffs.

Register today

WECA is pleased to announce our new Industry Partnership with HazTek, the largest construction safety consulting firm in the United States, and our continued working relationship with HazTek Account Executive Samantha Miller.

HazTek provides on-site safety professionals and tailored safety solutions to contractors across the country. For electrical contractors, HazTek offers flexible, reliable safety support that helps meet compliance requirements, reduce incidents, and keep projects on schedule.

Miller recommends that WECA Member Contractors utilize HazTek’s solutions if they are looking for the following:

• On-Site Safety Support When You Need It
  • Electrical contractors often face fluctuating project demands, making it difficult to maintain full-time safety staff without adding unnecessary overhead. HazTek provides on-site safety professionals—such as safety managers, coordinators, and technicians—who integrate with your team and support your projects for as long as you need them. Whether you require short-term coverage for a specific job or long-term safety management across multiple sites, HazTek can supply experienced professionals to meet your needs.
• Expertise in Electrical Safety Compliance
  • HazTek’s team is experienced in critical areas of electrical safety, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, NFPA 70E compliance, and arc flash safety. We help ensure that electrical contractors meet OSHA standards and project-specific safety requirements, reducing the risk of costly incidents and compliance issues. Our professionals also conduct site audits, hazard assessments, and incident investigations to maintain safety standards throughout your projects.
• Flexible and Cost-Effective Solutions
  • By offering project-based safety support, HazTek helps electrical contractors control costs while maintaining high safety standards. You can scale safety resources based on project demands without the financial burden of hiring and laying off full-time staff. If a project ends early or safety needs change, we adjust accordingly, providing flexibility that aligns with your operations.
• Training and Compliance Assistance
  • In addition to on-site safety management, HazTek offers a range of safety training programs, including OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E, and custom courses tailored to your team’s needs. We assist with compliance reporting, job hazard analysis, and safety program development, ensuring your company stays ahead of regulatory requirements and maintains a strong safety culture.
• Why Choose HazTek?
  • HazTek helps electrical contractors maintain safety compliance without disrupting project timelines. Haztek professionals integrate with your team to support your existing safety culture and processes, offering flexible solutions that adapt to your business needs.

If HazTek’s solutions sound like a good fit for your company, please reach out to Samantha Miller, Account Executive, by email at smiller@haztekinc.com or via phone at (480) 280-9899.
 

Here Were Some of Your Apprentices in Action

First year, second semester





















Second year, second semester

















Fourth year, first semester

 

A report from cybersecurity firm ReliaQuest found that spearphishing, an attack personalized to a victim, is an increasingly prominent threat for construction contractors.

By: Matthew Thibault

Dive Brief:

• The cyber threat contractors face shows no signs of waning as 481 construction organizations were listed on data-leaking websites used by ransomware attackers in 2024, a 41% increase year over year, according to a report from Tampa, Florida-based cybersecurity technology company ReliaQuest.
• The report noted that phishing continues to be a thorny problem for builders as well. Spearphishing, or a phishing attempt personalized to a victim, was the most prominent vector of attack and accounted for nearly one in five incidents, ReliaQuest said. Internal spearphishing was second, where a compromised account within the organization attacks other users in the enterprise.
• Credential exposure is also a primary threat for builders. According to data fromReliaQuest’s cybersecurity protection product, GreyMatter, credential exposure incidents now account for 75% of all construction alerts, per the report. The number is an 83% increase from the previous year.

Dive Insight:

In light of the research, ReliaQuest predicted that phishing attacks, cloud exploitation and attacks via infostealers — a type of malware designed to compromise user credentials — will rise in 2025. Once credentials are published and sold, threat actors can gain access to sensitive data or deploy additional malware.

“The construction sector’s susceptibility to cyber threats and its critical need to maintain operational continuity makes it a prime target for malicious actors,” John Dilgen, cyber threat intelligence analyst for ReliaQuest and the report’s author, wrote. “The diverse range of attacks targeting the sector underscores the urgent necessity for organizations to implement strict security measures and digital risk protection (DRP) strategies.”

To protect themselves, contractors need to be on alert. One of the metrics ReliaQuest used to measure performance is known as “mean time to contain a threat” or MTTC. On average, companies in the construction industry contain a threat within about five hours. However, companies that used automation and artificial intelligence had times closer to five minutes.

According to the report, builders should also:

• Audit cloud accounts and resources rigorously.
• Pay close attention to cloud permission levels that could grant extensive access.
• Enforce the principle of least privilege for all third parties and contractors.
• Enable multifactor authentication for accounts.
• Implement a digital risk protection strategy to continuously monitor for exposed credentials.

Read the full Construction Dive bulletin here (registration may be required).

 

WECA is pleased to reintroduce our members to our Industry Partner, Simpro Software. Get reacquainted with Simpro Software below:

A Brief Overview of Simpro Software’s History

Simpro was founded in Brisbane, Australia in 2002 with the goal of providing a comprehensive software solution for the trades and field service industries. Today, Simpro has grown into a global leader, serving over 8,500 customers and managing more than 14 million jobs annually across industries such as electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and security.

Simpro’s Services and Solutions

Simpro offers an all-in-one, cloud-based field service management platform designed to streamline operations for trade and field service businesses. Our solutions include job management, scheduling, asset tracking, estimating, invoicing, inventory management, and reporting. With Simpro, businesses can automate repetitive tasks, improve team productivity, and drive growth by gaining full visibility into their operations.

Simpro’s Services and Solutions vs. Their Competitors’ Services and Solutions

Simpro differentiates itself through its comprehensive approach, integrating job management, field mobility, and operational insights into one platform. Unlike competitors that may focus solely on specific functions like financial management or CRM, Simpro offers a holistic solution tailored for trade businesses. Features like real-time data synchronization, automated workflows, and scalability ensure that Simpro meets the needs of growing businesses. Additionally, Simpro’s mobile app empowers technicians in the field with access to critical job information.

How WECA Members Can Benefit from Simpro’s Services and Solutions

WECA members can benefit from Simpro by streamlining their operations, reducing manual processes, and improving both efficiency and profitability. Simpro helps contractors manage complex projects, maintenance contracts, and service jobs with ease. With features like automated quoting, invoicing, and real-time communication between office and field teams, Simpro enables contractors to focus on growing their businesses while delivering excellent service to their customers.

Why Simpro Partners with WECA

Simpro recognizes WECA as a leading association for electrical and low-voltage contractors, industries that align closely with Simpro’s core customer base. By partnering with WECA, Simpro aims to provide its innovative solutions to a network of contractors who are committed to excellence, safety, and growth. This partnership represents an opportunity to support contractors as they navigate industry challenges and adopt new technologies to stay competitive.

Will SimPro provide any discounts to WECA Member Contractors?

As Los Angeles recovers from the devastating wildfires—local trade and field service businesses are facing the dual challenge of rebuilding their own operations while supporting the massive reconstruction efforts ahead. In response, Simpro, is offering a 50% discount on software fees for the first 12 months to any new California-based customers. (See the next section, immediately below, for further details.)

Want to Utilize Simpro’s Services and Solutions? Here’s How:

WECA members interested in utilizing Simpro’s services and solutions can contact Joey Commons, Account Executive, at johanna.commons@simpro.us. Additionally, Simpro’s team is happy to provide demos, answer questions, and discuss how Simpro can support your business’s needs.

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Simpro Software Resources for Southern California WECA Members Affected by the Wildfires:

“During this challenging time, as Los Angeles works to recover from the catastrophic wildfires, Simpro is standing strong with the community.

We are offering support by:

·        Pledging $50,000 to help Simpro customers affected by the fires.

·        Offering a 50% discount on software fees for the first 12 months to any new California-based customers.

If you’re a California business or customer affected by the fires, please visit our website to learn how we can support you.”

Please join us in congratulating those re-elected and newly elected to the 2025 WECA Board of Directors!

Serving a three-year term:

Jason Blum

Tim Bosley

John Pavletich

Leslie Schlaegel

View the complete rosters of the WECA Boards of Directors and Trustees

 

Please join WECA in congratulating WECA Arizona Member Contractor K2 Electric on making the Phoenix Business Journal's 2024 Arizona Corporate Excellence (ACE) Fastest Growing Companies list!

K2 Electric announced the honor on social media, stating:

"K2 Electric is thrilled to announce that we ranked No. 8 on the Phoenix Business Journal's 2024 Arizona Corporate Excellence (ACE) Top Fastest Growing Company list! This recognition highlights the dedication, innovation, and teamwork that drive our success. Thank you to our incredible team for making this achievement possible."

Use WECA's Job Board to Find Qualified, Well-Trained Employees



WECA's Electrical and Low Voltage Industry Job Board is designed to help connect individuals seeking employment in the electrical and low voltage industries with the WECA Member Contractors who want to hire them.

Our job board currently serves California, and exists for:

• Talented electricians
• Low voltage technicians
• Electrician Trainees
• Industry employees (including office personnel)
• And the Member Contractors who want to hire them

Access this free, no-obligation service provided by WECA to post a position to help you find your next great employee today!

You can also view active resumes as part of your Member Contractor benefits.

Post a job today!

WECA Government Relations Director Rex Hime Celebrates WECA Relationship with the Central Valley Business Federation (BizFed)

An Ally in Advocating for Fair and Open Competition in the Construction Industry

WECA's Government Relations Director Rex Hime helped the Central Valley Business Federation (BizFed) celebrate their successful 2024 at their Holiday Lunch and Board Meeting in Visalia, CA in December.

Rex reflected on BizFed's successful year in the following statement:

"Co-chairing both BizFed Central Valley's Advocacy Committee and PAC this past year has been a pleasure. BizFed Central Valley is a great ally to WECA, acting as a megaphone advocating for fair and open competition in the construction industry, along with business issues across the board. Happy to be involved with a powerful group of movers and shakers and looking forward to the battles in 2025!"

Important Information for California Member Contractors Regarding Accommodations for WECA Students and Apprentices Affected by Wildfire Evacuation Orders and Power Outages
 

For California Member Contractors:

If you employ Apprentices, Electrician Trainees and/or Journeyperson Continuing Education students who have been affected by the California wildfires or power outages, and you have any questions or concerns about their progress, please contact WECA for clarification about accommodations for your employees' situations at 877-444-9322.

Please watch your email closely for further updates from WECA as the wildfire situations change; apprenticeship classes at our WECA facilities in Southern California are not affected at this time.

For Electrician Trainees and Journeyperson Continuing Education students affected by wildfire evacuation orders and/or power outages:

WECA will accommodate course make-up requests for currently enrolled Electrician Trainees and Journeypersons, in addition to course refunds or transfers, and waive all associated fees for those whose homes are affected by fires or evacuations. Please contact WECA at 877-444-9322 to get started.

Please note the following information for WECA students affected by power outages:

WECA is still running all scheduled GetWired webcasts, GetWired labs (whether scheduled for onsite or online), Live Online 2-Day Exam Prep classes, and all other instructor-led class instances at this time. Students should plan to attend class as normal.

Students who are unable to attend a scheduled webcast due to a power outage at their residence, and who cannot attend the class instance from an alternate remote location (which is encouraged), can contact WECA to arrange a class make-up. WECA will cross-check the student's address with outage maps or otherwise request proof of the outage before accommodating the make-up; this accommodation is for students living in power outage areas only.

Please contact WECA at 877-444-9322 if you must miss a scheduled webcast due to an outage and wish to request a make-up class instance.

Please watch your email closely for further updates from WECA; if the power outage maps are expanded, classes may be further affected.