McArthur receives electrical apprenticeship, accepted by union
By Ken Luchterhand
After receiving his start from the Ho-Chunk Labor Department, Michael McArthur has earned his wings as an electrical apprentice and been accepted into the local electrical union.
McArthur was part of an initiative by the Ho-Chunk Nation Labor Department, which coordinated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union #14.
Dawson McAndrew and Salvador Casarez also went through the same program with the help of the Labor Department. The three men started their training on June 13 with Kish and Sons Electric in La Crosse, participating in an eight-week internship.
“They allowed us to work in various environments – two weeks at each job site,” McArthur said.
“After that, Kish decided they liked me, so they kept me on,” he said.
For the last two months, he’s been working in the shop, doing various assignments, and mostly getting to know the individual electrical components to enable him to know his job better.
Meanwhile, he took a test and was interviewed to become an apprentice electrician.
Recently, we was notified that his test scores and interview was met with approval and he was offered a position with Kish and Sons.
“This is a huge accomplishment,” he said. “This is a great opportunity.”
He developed good relationships with fellow workers, which helped him with his development as an electrician. When the journeymen would come into the shop, they all asked him how he was doing and offered any advice they could.
To become fully established as an electrician, first it is required to become part of the local union. The union has been welcoming of his entry into the electrician career, with McArthur appearing in the union newsletter twice: when he graduated from his internship and when he was sworn in as a union member.
He became a union member in late 2016.
“It’s one of the steps to get in the door,” McArthur said. “it helps to be a union member because they can help you find and obtain a job.”
One upcoming job on his agenda is the Ho-Chunk District One Community Center in Black River Falls.
“I’m excited for that,” McArthur said.
He is grateful to the Nation for giving him the opportunity to develop his skilled career as an electrician and being given the opportunity to work on the Community Center gives him satisfaction of paying back the favor.
“I have no regrets of starting the program. I would recommend it to other people,” he said.
“It’s something I enjoy. It has made my life better,” McArthur said.
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