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In Portland, Oregon, IBEW Local 48 Business Manager Keith Edwards posed a question to apprentice student representatives at the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center. He had heard about a university that had achieved a high graduation success rate by providing students with mentors. Edwards asked if such an arrangement would be helpful to Local 48 apprentices.

The students picked up on the idea, ran with it and made it work. The result is a highly successful mentoring program, in place since 1997, available to all first-year apprentices at the Portland training center. The mentoring program has succeeded because of the commitment of the students and the individual commitment of Training Director Ken Fry and Business Manager Edwards, said Local 48 apprentice Ilene Ferrell, chair of the mentoring committee.

Student body chair Mick Hemphill subsequently asked for volunteers to examine the need for mentors. Four apprentices volunteered (Ferrell, Bernita Kantner, Stephanie Vincent and Mark Thomas), and discussions with classmates led to an outline for a mentoring program. The committee contracted the assistance of Oregon Tradeswomen Network President Connie Ashbrook, who provided materials and instructed a preliminary class on how to be a mentor.

That term we had 55 first-year apprentices, said Ferrell, and the committee decided that third-year apprentices and above would be asked to volunteer as mentors. By the third year, you have had many experiences, both good and bad, Ferrell added. Mentors need to share these experiences to show how they made it and kept a positive attitude through it all.

Mentors who volunteered were assigned to every first-year apprenticepairs were assigned according to class schedules so that mentor and protg could meet without taking extra time out of their schedules.

When those first-year apprentices become 5th term (third year), they will be ready and willing to mentor a new class of first-year apprentices, said Ferrell. We want everyone who starts the apprenticeship program to finish it and have a promising career. Having a mentor is not to imply an apprentice needs help, because apprentices have proven they have the attitude, skill and knowledge to make it. But, having your brothers and sisters by your side guiding you through, success will be a sure thing.

Business Manager Edwards praised the apprentices and the success of the mentoring program. Providing mentors for apprentices is one of the greatest things we can do for the industry, he said. Both apprentices and mentors come up with solid, positive input on how to keep our programs in the vanguard of technology and training methods. They also keep us apprised of customer and journeyman expectations and concerns. This valuable input helps the IBEW/JATC program turn out the most skilled electricians.

We are the next generation of the IBEW, added Ferrell. Todays apprentices are going to be our leaders tomorrow. There are many positions that need people who are dedicated and committed to working to keep our union strong by organizing, instructing, sitting on boards and participating in union activities. Mentors are planning for our future by taking responsibility to help a first-year apprentice succeed.

Last term we had 89 first-year students and again more than enough volunteers to be mentors. We are in transition to day classes, and the mentoring program is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the new schedule. Our training center is among the best because of the dedication of Local 48, NECA, the staff and student body.