Open House Draws Enthusiastic Crowd, Record Number of Apprenticeship Applicants
IBEW 40’s recent Open House was packed with future Brothers and Sisters seeking to start their union journey and get a firsthand opportunity to learn more about the Local 40/NECA Inside Wireman Apprenticeship.
The results were overwhelming. In less than six hours we hit our limit of 600 Apprenticeship applications.
Local 40’s Cynthia Carizal, a former U.S. Marine who completed the Apprenticeship Program and turned out as a journeyman electrician a year ago, was on hand at the April 28 Open House to help guide applicants. Cynthia’s sister is also in the Local, two years ahead of her.
“The union’s been great,” Carizal said. “There aren’t many women in construction.” Her favorite job so far: building the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift rollercoaster at Universal Studios Hollywood, where she worked for a year and a half.
Carla Uyeda, an apprentice hopeful, was attracted to the Apprenticeship program because her grandfather told her to learn a trade and she always loved working with her hands.
Andrew McGlennan learned about the Open House on Instagram. McGlennan is currently enrolled in an electrical program at LAUSD Adult School where he’s learning residential electrical work.
Originally from Pittsburgh, McGlennan moved to Los Angeles to become a filmmaker. After working as a carpenter, bouncer, and steel mill worker, he sees the Inside Wireman Apprenticeship as the ideal opportunity to take his career to another level.
Advice From Program Veterans
Local 40 President Juan Rodriguez advised Open House attendees to focus on the interview portion of the Apprenticeship process.
“The interview is what will set you apart,” Rodriguez told applicants. “Make a good first impression with the committee. It’s important to research the Local and show the committee you put the effort in to learn about the trade.”
Rodriguez also advised applicants who may not get accepted to reapply. “It took me trying six times to get into the Local,” Rodriguez said.
For Local Apprentice Coordinator Jesse Barron hearing applicants’ stories recalled his union journey.
“I was digging ditches and working at a tire store before a friend told me Local 40 was taking applicants,” Barron said. “I applied, took all the tests, and here I am. I was lucky.”
Now, he said, it’s his job to pay it forward.
Fifth-year apprentice Rose Derderian also connected with applicants and especially encouraged women to apply.
A former marine biologist, Derderian was on her way to Alaska for her next job when COVID hit and quickly realized she had to pivot. She learned about the Wireman Apprenticeship at a local job center, applied, and was accepted.
“I practiced mock interviews and as a result I got in,” she said. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. The health insurance, the benefits, you can’t beat them. And I was able to pay off my student loans the first year.” Her favorite part of the job: challenging herself to think outside the box. “I like mind challenges.”
Derderian is also quick to recognize the pioneering women who helped pave her union path, which has included construction and production projects at Netflix, Warner Bros. and Universal Studios.
New Inside Wireman Apprenticeship applications are slated to reopen in Spring 2028.
