The Utility Pre-Craft Trainee (UPCT) program by LADWP and IBEW Local 18 provides comprehensive training and employment benefits to midlife career-changers, offering a pathway to full-time positions.
In a world where career changes are becoming increasingly common, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 18 have come together to offer a groundbreaking employment program. The Utility Pre-Craft Trainee (UPCT) program provides an earn-and-learn opportunity for individuals seeking a career change, allowing them to receive extensive training and benefits while on their path to becoming full-time employees at LADWP. With a focus on removing barriers to full-time employment and providing stability, the program has proven to be a game changer for those looking for a fresh start.
A Pathway to Success
The UPCT program, launched in 2011, aims to offer an alternative pathway to civil service careers at LADWP. Unlike traditional training programs, UPCT provides trainees with hands-on experience and comprehensive training in various positions within the department. This unique approach allows trainees to gain a deep understanding of the job and develop the necessary skills to excel in their chosen field.
Gus Corona, the business manager for IBEW Local 18, emphasizes the program’s flexibility, stating, “Their future is unlimited. Whatever aspect of the job they want to learn, they can. Once the openings come up, they can apply for those jobs and learn them.”
Midlife Career-Changers Find Stability and Growth
For many trainees, like Mayra Canales, the UPCT program offers more than just a job. Canales, who was previously an in-home caregiver, joined the program in 2013 and has since been with LADWP for over 10 years, currently serving as a plant equipment operator. The program provides stability, growth opportunities, and good benefits, catering to midlife career-changers who are seeking a fresh start.
Canales expresses her satisfaction with the program, saying, “I’m happy where I’m at, and I just look forward to all the good things that are coming my way. All the opportunities that are going to be opening just based on the knowledge that I gained as a UPCT.”
Removing Barriers and Achieving Success
The success of the UPCT program is evident in its impressive track record. Almost 85% of those entering the program have been hired full time or are still in the program, highlighting its effectiveness in providing fulfilling career opportunities. The program’s requirements are simple: residency in Los Angeles County, a driver’s license, and quarterly registration until selection. While the waitlist for the program can be lengthy, with approximately 2,000 people currently on it, the program’s leaders are committed to scaling it up to accommodate more individuals and reduce wait times.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, the president of the LADWP Board of Water & Power Commissioners, recognizes the significance of the program, stating, “We’re gonna need a whole lot more employees, so we’re working with IBEW. It’s our intention to scale the program so there are more opportunities, and we can do something about that waitlist.”
Conclusion:
The LADWP and IBEW Local 18’s UPCT program is revolutionizing the way career changes are approached, providing individuals with the opportunity to learn, grow, and secure stable employment. With its unique earn-and-learn approach, the program is equipping trainees with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the utility industry. As the program continues to expand and replicate elsewhere, it has the potential to transform communities by offering a pathway to the middle class for those who may not have had such an opportunity before. The UPCT program is a shining example of how collaboration and innovation can create lasting change in the workforce development landscape.
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