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Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Des Moines Electrical Apprenticeship, 10700 Justin Drive, Urbandale, IA (2026)

06/16/2026

Celebrating the Class of 2026 🎓⚡

Last week, we had the privilege of gathering for one of our most meaningful traditions, our Graduation Banquet, honoring the incredible apprentices of the Class of 2026.

With nearly 200 apprentices, families, instructors, committee and hall members present in the room, it was more than just a ceremony - it was a moment to reflect on the journey, the sacrifice, and the transformation that brought these graduates to this point!

We celebrated the:
🔹 Des Moines & Fort Dodge Inside Apprentice Class of 2021 to 2026
🔹 Des Moines Telecommunications Apprentice Class of 2023 to 2026
🔹 Des Moines & Fort Dodge Inside Apprentice Class of 2022 to 2026

Some have already stepped into life as a Journey person. Others are just a few months away. But all of them have been forged through early mornings, long days, late nights, and the steady pressure of learning a craft that powers our communities and connects our world.

And behind every apprentice is a support system - families and loved ones who sacrificed, encouraged, and stood steady through it all. This milestone belongs to them as well!

We are especially grateful to IBEW Local 347 and the Iowa Chapter NECA, who together continue to host and fund this event each year. Your support makes it possible for us to come together - celebrating the achievements of our apprentices and the strength of the partnership that powers these programs.

We also cannot forget Milwaukee Tool and Klein Tools! We are grateful for our tool partners, whose generosity helped us recognize our graduates with well-earned gifts they will carry forward into their careers!

A Moment of Gratitude
We also took time to recognize Doug Goforth as he steps down from the Des Moines Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee after 15 years of service.

Over those years, Doug has helped shape the pathway for thousands - interviewing applicants, mentoring apprentices, and guiding decisions that strengthened and grew our programs. His impact is measured not just in hours spent in meetings, but in generations of electricians whose journeys he helped set in motion.
Thank you, Doug, for your dedication and lasting legacy. 👏🙏

Recognizing Excellence
We were proud to honor two outstanding graduates whose commitment to their craft set them apart:
⚡ Bradly Meeker, Outstanding Inside Graduate, with an incredible 99.3 average!
⚡ Sadie Hopkey, Outstanding Telecommunications Graduate, with a 98.6 average!
These achievements represent years of discipline, focus, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence - benchmarks that raise the standard for all who follow.

To the Class of 2026:

You’ve put in the hours. You’ve proven your skill. You’ve earned your place. But, it doesn't end here.

The work continues - and now, you lead.

Lead with patience. Lead with purpose. Lead by example.

We couldn’t be prouder of the impact you’re about to make.

Congratulations, graduates. Go build futures!⚡

05/04/2026

This month, we are proud to recognize Johnny Nguyen as Apprentice of the Month - an honor made even more meaningful by the fact that he was nominated by six fellow apprentices and coworkers! 💯

Johnny consistently shows up with a positive attitude and a genuine eagerness to learn. In the classroom, he brings strong engagement, thoughtful questions, and a calm confidence that helps lift everyone around him. With a strong work ethic and a willingness to jump in wherever he’s needed, Johnny sets the standard for what it means to be a successful apprentice.

What truly stands out is Johnny’s commitment to others. He is always ready to help classmates work through difficult topics, the first to get up when something needs to be done, and someone who makes sure everyone feels included and supported. His classroom presence is strong, his demeanor friendly, and his leadership natural.

Johnny is a prime example of a great apprentice. Focused, capable, dependable, and an emerging leader in the program. Congratulations, Johnny, and thank you for setting a powerful example for your classmates and the trade!

Keep up the outstanding work!👏⚡

03/31/2026

Paxton Blow is the March Apprentice of the Month! 🥳⚡🙌

Paxton was nominated by two of his coworkers and classmates who see his work ethic and character firsthand every day. They shared that Paxton works hard every day and consistently puts up quality work on the jobsite. He is always on time, dependable, and proud of the work he does. Paxton doesn’t just focus on his own tasks - he shares his knowledge with others to help keep the job moving forward, making him a strong teammate and a valuable part of the crew. 💪

Those nominations are echoed by Paxton’s supervisors, who describe him as hardworking, highly dependable, and consistently producing quality work. They emphasized that Paxton communicates well, plans ahead, works smoothly with others, and maintains a great attitude while staying busy and engaged throughout the day. 💯

In the classroom, Paxton’s instructors see the same dedication. They shared that he is always attentive, works hard, and brings thoughtful contributions to class discussions. His positive attitude and commitment to learning make him someone instructors and classmates alike enjoy having in the room. 🙌

Paxton, you represent what apprenticeship programs strive to help develop - individuals who show up, put in the effort, support those around them, and who take pride in what they build!

Congratulations, Paxton! Continue to do outstanding work! 💡🥳⚡

03/19/2026

Know someone looking for a real career - not just a job? ⚡💲🙌

This is worth sharing. 📲

Becoming an electrical apprentice isn’t about experience - it’s about opportunity.

Apprentices learn the trade the right way, while earning a paycheck from day one.
✅ Paid for all 8,000 hours of on‑the‑job training💲
✅ Wages + benefits while learning (health insurance, 401(k), and pension)📈
✅ Defined wage and benefit increases throughout the apprenticeship
✅ No prior experience required - that’s exactly what the apprenticeship is for! 💯

And this isn’t just a “starting point” - it’s the first step of a lifelong career. The electrical industry offers real upward mobility: journeyman, foreman, supervisor, instructor, business administrator, president, project manager, owner, and so much more.

📈 The demand is real—and growing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
• On average, there are over 81,000 electrician job openings each year🤯
• 9% employment growth expected through 2034 - much faster than most careers
• An industry powered by infrastructure investment, technology, data centers, EV charging, clean energy, and manufacturing
In short: the work is there, and the industry needs people.

So, if you know:
• A friend, family member, student, or coworker trying to figure out their next step
• Someone ready for a career change
• Someone who wants to earn while they learn - and build something lasting
Please share this post and start the conversation with them!

Sometimes the right path starts with the right person passing along the message.
You could help change someone’s life! 🫵

Visit our website to learn how they can apply today!
https://www.dmelejatc.org/

03/19/2026

Do apprentices naturally come to you when something isn’t clicking? 🔌

Are you the kind of electrician who explains not just what to do—but why it matters?

Des Moines Electrical Apprenticeship is hiring a Full‑Time Electrical Apprenticeship Instructor.

If you’re an experienced electrician who enjoys teaching, mentoring, and helping complex ideas click, this could be your next chapter.

👉 Apply or reach out with questions.

Help shape the future of the electrical trade in central Iowa. ⚡

03/16/2026

⚡ Celebrating the Class of 2026 ⚡

This moment deserves to be celebrated. Completing an apprenticeship is no small achievement. It represents years of showing up, learning the trade, pushing through challenges, and steadily building the skills that define an electrician.

In 2026, we are proud to celebrate:

73 Des Moines Inside Wireman apprentices, with 67 already licensed Journeyman Electricians and 6 more preparing to test soon.

6 Des Moines Telecommunication apprentices set to graduate this May after completing their BICSI assessment.

3 Fort Dodge Inside Wireman apprentices, with 2 already licensed and 1 nearing their exam.

These accomplishments matter. Licensure earned. Assessments completed. Apprenticeships finished. This chapter is complete.

And now, a new one begins.

With this milestone comes a shift in responsibility. It is now your turn to become the mentors you once relied on. To lead with patience. To remember what it felt like to be new. To support the next generation as they learn, struggle, ask questions, and grow. The example you set on the jobsite and in the classroom will shape the apprentices who come after you.

This is also a reminder that learning does not stop here. The electrical industry continues to evolve, and so must we. Continued education, advanced skills training, leadership development, and a commitment to growth are what turn great electricians into great leaders. The future of this industry depends on professionals who are willing to keep learning, keep improving, and keep stepping up.

Yes, this is the end of your apprenticeship journey. But it is only the beginning of your career journey.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026. 💪🎉🥳⚡💡🔌

02/28/2026

February Apprentice of the Month: Andres Rodriguez! 🥳👏⚡

This month, we’re proud to recognize Andres Rodriguez, a 4th‑year apprentice whose work ethic, integrity, and commitment to others set a standard for everyone around him.

Andres was nominated by both an apprentice and a journeyman - people who see his impact firsthand every day.

“Working with Andres is great. He was willing to share his experiences and knowledge to help solve problems and to plan out our work for the day. He is hardworking and was seamlessly added to our crew because of his ability to see what needs to be done and get to work.”

“Andres, apart from being an impressive apprentice, has shown his integrity and respectfulness time and time again on the job - whether it's speaking with customers or building relationships with his coworkers. How he speaks about his young family makes it obvious where he pulls his motivation from. He is a very inspiring person to be around.”

Beyond the jobsite, Andres has consistently gone above and beyond in supporting DMEA’s outreach efforts. Whether he’s speaking with guests touring the training center, volunteering at apprenticeship expos, or connecting with students by sharing his own path, he brings authenticity, empathy, and a sense of purpose to every interaction.

Andres is the kind of apprentice who lifts the people around him—and the kind of future journeyman who will strengthen our industry for years to come. His future is bright, and we’re grateful to have him as part of our DMEA community.

Congratulations, Andres! Your hard work, integrity, and commitment to others continue to make a real impact. Keep being the example.

02/27/2026

Today we celebrate an incredible milestone at the Des Moines Electrical Apprenticeship. After more than 15 years of unwavering dedication, our Assistant Director, Steve Sesker, is retiring.

For over a decade and a half, Steve has been a steady, dependable presence at the JATC. He has worked with thousands of applicants, helping them take their first steps into the electrical trade, and has supported hundreds of apprentices on their journey to becoming journey-level electrical workers. His impact is woven into the story of this program and the story of so many electricians.

Steve is always the first one through the doors in the morning, the last to leave at night, and never absent. He cares deeply for our apprentices, our staff, and the entire JATC community. No task was ever beneath him, and no challenge was too big. If it helped this place run smoothly, Steve was already on it.

He understands the value of strong relationships and has put in the time to build them with apprentices, staff, vendors, contractors, and just about anyone who crossed his path. Over the years, “Steve Sesker” and “Des Moines Electrical Apprenticeship” have become synonymous; you couldn’t know one without knowing the other.

Steve, we are grateful for everything you have done, the care you’ve shown, and the countless hours you’ve invested in making this a great place to work and learn. We will miss your welcoming presence around the JATC, but we are excited for you as you step into retirement. We hope your days are filled with family, friends, grandkids, and all the things you’ve earned after so many years of service.

Congratulations on your retirement, Steve! Thank you for everything.

01/30/2026

Congratulations to the January Apprentice of the Month: Julia Eberle! 🎉

Julia embodies exactly what we hope to see in an apprentice - drive, enthusiasm, curiosity, and genuine care for the people around her.

A classmate & friend shared: “Julia is the classmate everyone wants in their class. She asks the questions people are scared to ask. She helps others when needed, and she makes all of us laugh and feel included. She’s very involved in the union and volunteers at community events, like raising money for food banks. Overall, she goes above and beyond and deserves this recognition.”

Julia is an incredibly hard‑working apprentice with a mindset built for success. She consistently pushes herself, keeps learning, and always finds a way forward. She steps up to support her classmates, offer guidance, and build others up along the way.

She also gives her time generously - volunteering to speak with new apprentices, sharing honest insight, and helping them feel confident as they begin their journey. This fall, Julia was fantastic at engaging with students and getting them excited about the electrical trade. Julia is a leader, a teammate, and a rising professional who represents the very best of our program.

Join us in congratulating Julia Eberle - January's Apprentice of the Month! 👏

12/31/2025

Congratulations to the Apprentice of the Month, Shawn Dille!

We’re excited to recognize Shawn, a first‑year apprentice who’s already making a big impact both on the job and in the classroom.

Shawn was nominated by his peers for his dependability, strong work ethic, and the positive energy he brings to every environment he’s part of. Whether he’s helping classmates study, keeping morale high, or tackling tasks in the field, Shawn shows up with humility, optimism, and a genuine drive to learn.

His instructors describe him as a hard worker who consistently puts in the effort, and his journeymen say he handles every task with focus and reliability.

Shawn, thank you for setting such a strong example of what apprenticeship is all about. Keep up the great work — we’re proud to have you in the program! 👏

Des Moines Electrical Apprenticeship

06/16/2026

05/04/2026

03/31/2026

03/19/2026

03/19/2026

03/16/2026

02/28/2026

02/27/2026

01/30/2026

12/31/2025

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Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm