Tidewater Electrical Industry, JATC
Learning a Trade = Path to a Good Future
Since 1945, Tidewater Electrical Industry, JATC (Tidewater JATC) has been training men and women to become journeymen electricians. The apprenticeship is privately funded through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)-Local 80 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
“Our apprentices come in and we find them a job with one of our union contractors,” Meghan Hurt, Tidewater JATC training director, explains. “It’s a five-year program where they work 40 hours a week and go to school two nights each week. When they finish, they receive their journeyman’s license through the state of Virginia.”
Once licensed, the new electricians can work anywhere in the U.S., though the majority stay in the Hampton Roads area and work with union contractors. “Some work with local city governments, some start their own businesses. The world opens up for our graduates,” Meghan says.
One hundred apprentices are in the current classes. Apprentices learn in the classroom and on the job site, and start earning money from day one. They also get health benefits, including dental and vision. “Our contractors pay into the health benefit fund for our apprentices, and after five years, they are eligible for three different pension plans,” Meghan says.
Students at Tidewater JATC go through a five-year program, working 40 hours and attending classes two nights each week. Meghan worked in education as a reading specialist before coming to Tidewater JATC. “I see the benefit and impact that it has for students graduating from high school and going into a trade. I think sometimes it is pushed on kids that going to college is the only way to a good career path, but you can have a trade and be very successful,” Meghan says. Her husband is a JATC graduate from 23 years ago. “He still works with his tools every day. This apprenticeship program made our lives the success they are today.”
Meghan and apprentices frequently visit high school career fairs. “The need for trades is very high today, but a lot of high school kids don’t know about this route to success. I am trying to be an advocate for the trades and letting kids know that going to college is not the only option. Students have the chance to talk with some of our apprentices and learn what a great opportunity this program can be for them and their future.”
Tidewater JATC also welcomes veterans into the program working with the Helmets to Hardhats program to let individuals who get out of the military know they can come to the school and learn a trade. Five veterans have already signed up for the classes that start in September.
Meagan Parker, TowneBank private banker, knew all about Tidewater JATC because her husband Chad went through the program. “When we found out that Meagan was with TowneBank, we reached out to her and she has been a huge help in financing our new building,” Meghan says. Tidewater JATC was located at the Norfolk Technical Center for 30 years and recently purchased a 10,000 square-foot building on Henneman Drive near Norfolk International Airport.
“We have had an amazing partnership with Norfolk Tech Center for more than 30 years, but we always wanted to have our own building. This is where starting in September, we will have all of our programs, our classes and training, plus a big hands-on lab,” Meghan says. “We went through Meagan to get our financing because she understood the program. She has been a wonderful advocate for us.”
For more information, visit TidewaterJATC80.com.