07.10.2005 Apprentice Program
News Release: Many contractors have active apprenticeship, or other similar training programs that participate in State and National apprenticeship contests. Watson Electrical Construction Co., Wilson, NC, has a unique twist in preparing apprentices for state competition. Tommy Caldwell, Carolinas AGC VP Workforce Development, informed Watson’s senior management that, “Watson Electrical is the only company in the Carolinas that conducts an internal apprenticeship contest to select participants for state competition."
Watson Electrical has been using this process with great success over the past 11 years. Since the first event of the program it has proven to be a superior tool in the development of outstanding, highly qualified electricians. The program administrators all agree that it is a time-consuming, involved event, but the return on the training investment pays off for years to come. Most importantly it results in increased productivity and the contest even creates an inter-company competition. The event occurs mid to late August each year but preparation begins as early as March. Third and fourth year apprentices from the company’s 14 divisions are selected based on test scores and training supervisor recommendations. The group is narrowed to ten participants. Division Training Supervisors focus on project and test requirements previously used in state events. The ten finely tuned craftsmen, accompanied by their training supervisors, compete in the daylong contest at Watson Electrical’s corporate facilities in Wilson, NC. The Watson Electrical Apprenticeship Contest, designed to simulate state competition, determines one single representative and two alternates for the state contest held every October at the NC State Fair. Dawn Tant, Watson Electrical’s Supervisor of Apprentices and primary planner and scheduler of the event, has witnessed the program growth and improvement. “Now the event is a well developed and organized training mechanism that has evoked teamwork between management at all levels, HR, Training, and, Safety.” “It really gives us a great feeling when the contest leads to the success of our apprentices—in competition and career growth. We’re really proud to be a part of a team that makes a difference in all our futures.”
Since 1995 participants have consistently placed mainly in the top five at the state apprenticeship contest with four 1st Place, four 2nd Place, five 3rd Place, five 4th Place, two 5th Place, four 6th Place, two 7th Place, one 8th Place, two 9th Place and one 10th Place winners. Many of our apprentices including those who have competed in the state contest have continued their training throughout their careers at Watson Electrical. In fact a large percentage of our Supervisors and Managers started their careers in our apprenticeship program. Watson Electrical is a company that knows the value of training and sees it at work every day in our apprenticeship program.
For more information please contact Mike Watkins, Lloyd Evans or Dawn Tant at 252.237.7511. 
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