How CNM Ingenuity and Job Training Albuquerque Helped This Student Take His Skills to the Next Level
Joseph Wojcik has been an electrician for more than 20 years and owns and operates Powerhouse Electric. But he knows there’s always room to grow so he recently enrolled in CNM Ingenuity's Electric Lineworker Pre-Apprentice program as a way to upskill and improve his business.
"I wanted to attend the pre-apprentice program because one of the skills I felt lacked as an electrician was knowing how to climb and install equipment on power poles," he explains. "This is where the skills of an electrician and lineworker meet, so I knew it was the perfect fit."
Joseph thought about enrolling in the program several times over the last five years, but didn't have the funding. But then he learned about Job Training Albuquerque (JTA), a workforce development program run by the City of Albuquerque and CNM that provides funding for employees to gain in-demand skills, and all of the pieces fell into place.
"I was going to take the course no matter what, but the funding from JTA allowed me to enroll and complete the program sooner than I had planned. The application process was really smooth and streamlined, and I'm grateful for the help I received from Jeff DeBellis and Allison Pendell Jones along the way," he says.
During the 16-week course Joseph not only learned how to safely climb electric poles, but also developed a more in-depth understanding of electricity and earned his Class A CDL license. With these new skills under his belt, Joseph feels more confident than ever about the services he can provide to his customers.
Going forward, Joseph is focusing on building his business and is also considering a lineworker apprenticeship to further his skills as both an electrician and a lineman.
More than anything, Joseph is grateful for the experience he gained through the CNM program, and excited to see what the future has in store.
"This is such an awesome program. You have to do the hard work, but it's all worth it," Joseph says. "I know the skills I gained will help me make my business better and I'm really looking forward to providing my customers with the best and safest services possible."
Interested in CNM Ingenuity's Electric Lineworker Pre-Apprentice program? Fill out this contact form to learn more and apply.