Electrical Apprenticeship Supercharges André’s Career
André always dreamed of finishing college—not just for himself but to inspire his young daughters. Life had other plans for the first-generation college student, though. He left school to provide for his family and built a career at Liberty Steel, where he’s worked for over 11 years.
Still, André never let go of his goal of finishing his education. When he discovered the Industrial Electrical Technology apprenticeship program at ICC, he saw an opportunity to advance his career at Liberty Steel while continuing to support his family in a stable, well-paying job.
The apprenticeship program provided André an affordable, efficient path back to school, and he says it’s been instrumental in his success. Through a combination of classroom learning and on-the-job training, André is developing skills that will allow him to obtain a higher-wage job at Liberty Steel.
Returning to college after many years was intimidating, but at ICC, André found a welcoming environment and an overwhelmingly positive experience that always made him feel like he belonged. “ICC has the best teachers and opens up so many doors for people,” André says.
Apprenticeship Coordinator Amanda Nordstrom encouraged him to apply even though he had no prior experience in electrical technology. She went above and beyond, arranging additional classes so his cohort could graduate six months ahead of schedule and accelerate their journey to higher wages and new career opportunities.
André also credits instructors like Professors Steve and Zach Flinn for providing hands-on guidance and helping him bridge classroom lessons with on-the-job challenges.
The teachers really help you understand what you need to know when you go out into the field on your own. It’s a great curriculum that makes you have those ‘aha’ moments where I connect what I learn in class with what I do at work.
André, ICC Student
Professor Jay Buehler, André’s former supervisor at Liberty Steel, played a pivotal role in designing a program tailored to the company’s needs. This unique partnership ensured André could develop skills directly applicable to his role in electrical maintenance.
Looking ahead, André is excited about his future at Liberty Steel and beyond. He’s preparing to finish his apprenticeship, mentor young electricians at Liberty Steel, and maybe even become a union representative.
He’s even considering starting his own business with his fellow ICC apprentices, something he never dreamed was possible before discovering the support and opportunities ICC provides.
Thanks to ICC, André isn’t just advancing his career—he’s inspiring others to dream big and achieve more.