Three Ho-Chunk members begin electrician apprentice intern training
By Ken Luchterhand
Three Ho-Chunk members have begun a journey to a new education, and new career, thanks to a program organized through the Ho-Chunk Nation Labor Department.
Michael McArthur, Dawson McAndrew and Salvador Casarez started their training June 13 at Kish and Sons Electric in La Crosse. They will be shadowing a journeyman for eight weeks to learn the trade of being an electrician.
The new program began when the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union #14 contacted the Ho-Chunk Nation Labor Department about the possible agreement.
“We are testing the waters. We will see how it works,” said Tribal Workforce Development Manager Angela Ward of the HCN Labor Department. “Eighteen people applied and four more were interested. We hope to make this an annual opportunity.”
She’s hoping for this new program to pave the way for many more such programs and the ability for Ho-Chunk members to get an education, a career, and fulltime employment.
“The goal behind this internship is to provide an opportunity for a career in this field. We hope that all three of them will apply for the electrician apprenticeship, this internship will give them experience for the interview process. One of the main goals for Tribal Workforce Development is that we assist our Tribal members in obtaining employment through training opportunities, if not a career that comes with advancement opportunities,” Ward said.
Michael McArthur saw the opportunity as a way to advance in a field that will provide employment for the rest of his life.
“A couple of weeks ago I got an email about the program,” McArthur said. “I turned in an application on Monday and got an interview on Wednesday. I later got a call that I was accepted for the program.”
McArthur, 27, was working for HHCDA and promptly told his supervisor that he would be leaving for another career. He is a 2007 graduate of Black River Falls High School.
“I had been a maintenance worker in Sandpillow,” he said. “I had a lot of hands-on experience. I enjoyed it, including electrical work. When this job came up, I said, ‘I can do that.’”
“This is a good opportunity, not only for myself, but also for all Ho-Chunk members. This can advance my future with a career. I can learn a great trade that I can use the rest of my life,” he said.
The training is eight weeks, which will then transform into four to five years apprenticeship.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “I will be involved in new home construction and commercial building construction, as well as troubleshooting and installing fixtures.”
The program offers Ho-Chunk a way to change their lives, he said.
“It gets tribal members out working and develops good work ethics,” he said. “This can develop a good career in life.”
Dawson McAndrew also is pleased to be gaining the knowledge and the prospect of a new career.
“This is a perfect opportunity to get a good job and get some experience,” McAndrew said. He is a 2007 graduate of Black River Falls High School who was recently working as a blackjack dealer at Ho-Chunk Gaming – Black River Falls.
“Not only will I deal with construction, but also joining a union and having a career. It’s challenging but I’ll have the chance to work with things I’ve never done before. I’ll have a lot of hands-on training.”
He looks forward to working as a journeyman in about four years. Until then, he’ll get information and training from someone who has experience in the trade.
“This is amazing. I am really grateful for the opportunity because it could lead to a career.
McAndrew now lives in Tomah, but he grew up in Black River Falls.
He plans to join the union in La Crosse and be able to get jobs in the area so that relocation won’t be necessary.
Salvador Casarez, 36, has always wanted to develop a career as an electrician but, until now, never had the opportunity and never pursued any education in the field.
He had planned to enroll at Western Technical College this fall, but dropped the idea when this opportunity came up.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “I’m looking forward to making a career out of it.”
He plans to stick with a company, such as Kish and Sons, to train and become part of the union.
“It’s never too late to get an education,” he said. “I’m willing to learn something.”
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