Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe visited the IBEW Local 26 Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC) in Manassas last Saturday to proclaim November 2-6 the first "National Apprenticeship Week." The ceremony (click here for photos) was attended by IBEW Local 26 Business Manager Chuck Graham, president Butch Ramos, and included JATC Director Rhett Roe, Executive Director of NECA Washington DC Chapter Andrew Porter, CEO and President of Mona Electric Group David McKay, Virginia Senate candidate in District 29 Jeremy McPike and Cetrel Coleman from the Manassas office of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. Apprentices at the Manassas school were present, many with their families, along with the staff of the JATC and Local 26. The Governor followed the signing ceremony with a tour of the facility that included apprentices demonstrating switch lab work and conduit bending. Governor McAuliffe tried his hand at bending pipe (right) and celebrated an “Excellent” grade from the instructors.
- report by Linda Lawrence; photo by Gary Hall/IBEW Local 26; click here to see more photos
- report by Linda Lawrence; photo by Gary Hall/IBEW Local 26; click here to see more photos