As they commemorate Women in Apprenticeship Day, the Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights (MnDOT OCR) has highlighted Cora Holt, an aspiring electrician from Minnesota, in honor of National Apprenticeship Week. According to a spotlight story describing Holt’s path, the Building Strong Communities program was the first to introduce her to the craft, giving her the confidence and essential foundation she needed to succeed in what is usually a male-dominated field.
Holt had no competitive advantage to join the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW) Local 110 on her own merits because she had previously worked as a consultant. According to her, “I applied at Local 110 in November 2023 and they called to tell me that my application was not competitive based on my work experience and connections.” Through her relationship with Rick Martagon, executive director of Building Strong Communities, Holt was able to secure an apprenticeship because of Martagon’s commitment to hiring people who aren’t often found in the construction sector.
Holt’s pursuit of an apprenticeship in electrical engineering involved more than simply the technical parts; it involved a synthesis of artistic and creative abilities with rigorous theory. “When we completed our first conduit bending lab during the BSC hands-on training week, I knew I had made the right decision. “I felt really proud of myself for figuring out the task at hand, and it was a great physical and mental challenge,” Holt said in the spotlight story. Together with BSC’s foundation in community reconstruction and diversity assistance, this practical experience gave her the guidance, information, and contacts she needed to join IBEW Local 110.
Holt completed the BSC/MnDOT training program by May 2024 and has since accrued about 700 hours toward her apprenticeship. It was an adjustment for her to go from a more traditional workplace to a jobsite. In a statement that MnDOT was able to get, she clarified that “I had to learn the new social structure of a jobsite, which is different from an office or school setting.” She has learned a lot and received insightful guidance from seasoned journeymen during her time on the job.
Apprenticeship Week is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor as a means of honoring and advancing the combination of personal growth and economic expansion. Many people find that apprenticeships like the ones highlighted offer practical career pathways, adding to the skilled workforce that maintains essential infrastructure. For individuals interested in skilled trades apprenticeships, BSC/MnDOT training information can be found at www.buildingstrong.org, where MnDOT also offers more details on its Office of Civil Rights programs that promote workforce training and equity in construction trades.
With an open mind and a desire to learn, doors can open, as demonstrated by Cora Holt’s experience. Her counsel to others is consistent with her own path of self-discovery and empowerment: “I encourage you to check out a training program like BSC,”Holt remarked. “I would have felt way more out of my depth if I had just gone in without any support behind me.”
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