BLOG POST By Michael J. Buckman, Executive Director, Louisville Chapter, NECA
In my first 90 days as the new Executive Director of the Louisville Chapter, I have the privilege of meeting apprentices, interviewing them and as co-partnering with Local 369 to ensure we have the best program in the country…we do, by the way. It continues to be an amazing experience. Not only are they earning and learning, they are also learning about leading and culture. The path to Apprentice to CEO is lit with numerous opportunities along the way. Prior to becoming ED, I had no involvement or prior knowledge about the Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) Louisville Electric – JATC. It’s a collaborative program between Local 369 and NECA to provide structured apprenticeship training in skilled trades. I should have. I should have been a staunch supporter of all the trades. Unfortunately, my prior career path was in higher education where I earned advanced degrees and once believed a college degree was the only path to success, I now see the world differently. A college diploma is no longer a guarantee to land a job with strong middle-class earnings. As a matter of fact, the high cost of college is saddling students with debt. Would you rather be making six figures or giving away six-figures? The argument for college being the only path to prosperity is outdated and misguided. The skillset and knowledge needed in today’s advanced technology driven world is unique, valuable and in-depth. I am now a passionate advocate for trade schools and community colleges. The reason is simple: our community’s future—and our nation’s prosperity—depends on it.
The Skilled Labor Crisis: A Looming Challenge
Across the country, the skilled trades are facing a crisis. In six years, approximately 15% of electrical construction workers will retire, yet demand for these professionals is projected to rise by 25%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for 80,000 new electrician jobs annually through 2031. This isn’t just statistics, it’s a call to action. Our schools, life-saving hospitals and life-changing nonprofits, churches, entertainment venues, and even our little league fields and parks depend on the skilled hands and minds of union electrical workers. Without them, our community’s progress stalls.
Earning While Learning: A Pathway to Prosperity
Trade schools and community colleges offer something traditional universities cannot: the opportunity to earn while you learn. IBEW Apprenticeships in the electrical field, for example, provide a living wage, benefits, and a clear path to a rewarding career without the crushing burden of student debt. For anyone willing to commit, this is a real chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. Trade Schools and community colleges should be first, before the traditional higher education system. They can no longer be dismissed as the “stepchild of the higher education system.”
Building Community, Investing in the Future
Electrical contractors aren’t just wiring buildings—they’re creating community. They are building life-saving hospitals, life-changing nonprofits, vibrant parks and little league fields. They’re integrating advanced technologies into businesses, making our public spaces safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Since 1956, the partnership between NECA-Louisville Chapter and IBEW 369 continually invests in the Apprenticeship Program, making Louisville’s program a national model for excellence. Apprentices learn in immersive labs, guided by experienced instructors, and graduates ready to take on large projects like battery plants, automobile and heavy equipment plants. All the things our economy depends on. The path from Apprenticeship to CEO is illuminated with numerous examples of company leaders right here in Louisville.
Hands-On, Minds-On Learning
The success of our program is rooted in hands-on, minds-on learning in the classroom and on job sites. Apprentices don’t just read about electrical systems, they build them. They solve real-world problems, work in teams, and develop the critical thinking skills employers crave. This approach produces not just skilled workers, but innovators and leaders.
A Call to Parents, Students, and Policymakers
It’s time to rethink what it means to be “college ready.” For many, the best path isn’t a four-year degree, it’s a trade school or community college, where opportunity is waiting. Parents, encourage your kid to explore these options as early as middle school. KEES money can be used for trade schools. Students know that your talents are needed and valued. Local, state and federal policymakers and grant-making foundations should invest more in these programs, they are the backbone of our community’s future. The outcomes are there.
I am proud of my academic background, but I am even prouder to champion the skilled trades. Let’s give every young person in Louisville—and across America—the chance to build, to lead, and to thrive.
Our future is in their hands. Let’s make sure those hands are ready. To learn more about the Louisville JATC click here: https://www.loujatc.com/