HONOLULU (KHON2) — High school graduates are now just one step closer to becoming fully licensed electricians.
On June 13, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1186 welcomed 15 recent high school graduates from Farrington and Waipahu’s class of 2025 into its newest cohort of Year 2 apprentices.
The program, known as the Interim Credential program, is the first-of-its-kind partnership between the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and the union.
Just weeks after graduation, these students are eligible for advanced placement as Wireperson Electrician apprentices and are earning a living wage.
“We hope to establish a strong pipeline to the DOE with local kids getting the skills that they need to be successful in the electrical industry. By establishing this program, they get in early. It’s kind of like a pre-apprenticeship. They know what we’re about. They can see if it’s tailored to them. If not, then they can make another career choice,” said Leyton Torda, assistant business manager at IBEW 1186. “But if they get in, they don’t have to do the first year of apprenticeship. They get in to do the second year. It helps us because we can get them out faster and we keep local jobs to local kids, people.”
The IC program provides a head start on the apprenticeship timeline, training high school students with a curriculum that includes classroom instruction, hands-on labs, and supplemental virtual training modules.
“I think this program could provide a lot, not just money wise, but knowledge. If anything goes down in my house, then I know what to do,” said Azen Quintana, a Farrington High graduate. “And also the money part. It comes with a lot of good benefits that would help me and my family in the future.”
According to a recent Hawaii Skilled Trades Workforce Analysis report, the average salary of a fully licensed electrician is approximately $80,000.