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Three Greater Lawrence Technical School Electrical students will
soon get a taste of real-world work, thanks to a partnership
between the school and the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW), Local 103.
Juniors Michael Kennedy, Gersson Ramos, and Keith Dube will be
placed with union electrical contractors in jobs that will serve
as electrical pre-apprenticeships. As participants in Greater
Lawrence’s Cooperative Education Program, the three will alternate
weeks getting on-the-job training with weeks spent in academic
classrooms learning subjects like English, math, history and
science.
A cooperative venture among GLTS, the union and the City of
Methuen, the partnership was announced on Wednesday, March 1 by
Methuen mayor William M. Manzi III in the elegant, wood-paneled
Great Hall of the Searles Building, with remarks by Frank S.
Vacirca, GLTS Superintendent-Director, Greater Lawrence staff and
students, IBEW officials, Methuen City Council members, and the
Methuen representatives to the GLTS District School Committee
attended the press conference.
“In today’s economy, the work the vocational school does has never
been more important, and more critical,” Mayor Manzi said. “It
provides (students with) the opportunity to succeed.”
Mayor Manzi, whose master electrician father is an ardent member
of IBEW, Local 103, described a meeting with union Business Agent
Louis Antonellis as having led to the partnership. According to
the mayor, Mr. Antonellis told him, “We want to do more in the
Merrimack Valley, and more with the City of Methuen.”
Initiative Becomes Achievement
Greater Lawrence Superintendent-Director Frank S. Vacirca thanked
the mayor for “wonderful support from this great city,” and
described the new partnership as “an initiative that will become
an achievement.”
“We are proud to partner with IBEW,” he said. “The more friends we
make for our youngsters, the more opportunities we can create (for
them).
“Lou – our kudos to you for thinking of us.” he said, addressing
Mr. Antonellis.
“Thank you for having the vision for putting this program
together,” GLTS Electrical Instructor Tom Ciulla said. “I’m
thrilled, and committed to making it a success.”
Mr. Ciulla later noted the program is “like a five-year
scholarship” for students.
IBEW, Local 103 celebrates its 106th anniversary this spring. The
union has more than 6,000 electricians and technicians in over 100
Commonwealth cities. IBEW members work for colleges and
universities, banks, the Boston harbor project, hospitals, and
healthcare facilities.
The organization maintains a $10 million training facility in
southeastern Massachusetts, Every IBEW electrician completes five
years of schooling, and 10,000 hours of on the job training. They
also return to the classroom for technology updates every 36
months.
“Local 103 is always looking for the area’s best and brightest,”
Mr. Antonellis said. He praised Greater Lawrence for its
vocational training, and said the union intends to accept two GLTS
students into the pre-apprenticeship program each year, chosen for
their skills, grades, attendance, and attitude.
Mr. Antonellis noted that the union positions “are not part-time
low wage jobs for summer vacation.
“This is the real deal,” he said.
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