Terron White, a new project manager for Power UP Electrical Contractors, enjoys mentoring inner-city youth in his free time and creating awareness of career opportunities in the electrical trade. Prior to joining Power UP, he worked for Guarantee Electrical and Bell Electrical Contractors.
The following is a Q&A with White about recruiting electricians and increasing diversity in the electrical contracting industry. White earned his associate’s degree in electrical automation technology and his bachelor’s degree in applied management from Ranken Technical College. In addition, he completed his apprenticeship through IBEW Local 1 and obtained journeyman status in 2012.
Q: What opportunities does the electrical trade offer to today's youth?
A: The electrical trade offers today’s youth with a great salary for an honest day of work, without drowning in college debt. With several cities booming with construction, there will always be a need for electrical workers. I have often been reminded time-and-time again that college doesn’t ensure employment, nor especially a well-paying job. Only 72.6% of recent college grads are employed, and over a quarter-million Americans with a bachelor’s degree or higher are working in minimum-wage jobs. The overwhelming cost of college has left our youth with more debt than they are ready to handle.
Q: Describe your past outreach efforts to recruit inner-city youth and create awareness about jobs in the trades.
A: My outreach efforts included working with such organizations as the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) and Urban League. Being involved in these different programs allowed me to assist youth who are just getting out of prison or may not even have a high-school education. I helped coach them on basic skills such as interviewing, how to write a resume, and how to conduct themselves in a working environment.
Q: How do you think electrical contracting companies can better build a more diverse workforce?
A: I think electrical contractors can build a more diverse workforce by simply being involved in lower income communities and getting involved with different programs that assist young adults looking to better themselves. Also, just understanding the plight of today’s youth, particularly minorities, and giving them a chance to succeed goes a long way.
Q: What are some skills do you think young people need to succeed in today's electrical industry?
A: I believe young people can succeed in today’s electrical industry by having strong skills in problem-solving, basic math, curiosity, a love of learning, good communication, and customer service.
Q: How do you feel about being the new project manager for Power UP Electrical Contractors, and how do you plan to continue helping your company to recruit future employees?
A: It absolutely feels amazing being a new project manager at Power UP Electrical Contractors. Being given the opportunity to work for a minority-owned company and mentor local youth is a great feeling. I plan to help recruit youth who I know really want a chance, and once they are blessed with the opportunity to become an apprentice, mentoring them from start to finish. I plan to get involved with all the workforce diversity programs available through Power UP and becoming a consistent participant in diversifying our workforce.
Fischbach is a freelance writer based in Overland Park, Kan. She can be reached at [email protected].
About the Author
Amy Fischbach
Amy Fischbach, EUO Contributing Editor
Amy Fischbach ([email protected]) is a freelance writer and editor based in Overland Park, Kan.