Educating the next generation of our workforce and providing insight to the vast range of electrical industry career opportunities is a part of I.B. Abel’s commitment to community connections and to positively impacting our industry. While electricians, engineers, and linemen are the more outward-facing members of our team in the field, there are many individuals in a variety of other roles that serve our clients and contribute to a successful business in the trades; career opportunities in electrical construction include key roles in marketing, human resources, finance, logistics, project management, safety and quality, and more. These positions are just as important, and sometimes the greatest career opportunity is closer than one might think. It could be at a family-owned, local electrical contractor right here in York County.
This spring, the I.B. Abel EnABELher program sponsored the Women in the Electrical Industry Tour at our York, PA, office for Red Lion Area High School students in grades 9-12. EnABELher was established to empower women in our industry to drive innovative solutions and advance personally and professionally, and the tour helps others see what working in the trades could look like. More than 20 electrical construction professionals from I.B. Abel, York Electrical Institute, Capital Electric, and Schneider Electric came together to share their personal career journeys, how they started and what inspired them along the way, and more about the electrical pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs offered. Students had the opportunity to tour our operations and hear firsthand how many employees stayed open minded, explored opportunities, changed majors, and took chances – all of which led them to where they are in their careers today. Many evolved into their roles after realizing what they were passionate about, from working with people or working with numbers to graphic design and technology.
“It takes a lot of different types of people and skillsets for an organization to work well, and we know the next generation is the future of electrical construction. During a time when other companies are experiencing workforce shortages, we’re staying invested in proactively sharing the opportunities with our community to help guide and connect with talented, hardworking individuals who could be an excellent fit in our industry and on our team.”
– Tim G., Manager of Learning & Development
Jordyn L., Marketing Manager, shared her perspective when reflecting back on her high school years and her career today, “I don’t remember hearing much about the trades industry when I was in school. Now I’m here at I.B. Abel, enjoying my career in marketing with a great team and always learning more about not just marketing but also how important the electrical industry is for our clients and our communities as a whole.”
As students continue to explore career options and discover what they are truly passionate about and enjoy doing, we look forward to staying connected with our community and being a resource for those who want to learn more about the electrical industry. If you are looking to grow personally and professionally in a supportive environment and are interested in exploring career options in marketing, human resources, logistics, finance, engineering, or any focus in electrical trades, reach out to the I.B. Abel team today!
THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the Women in the Electrical Industry Tour a successful event!
I.B. Abel Speakers:
- Jason Motter, President & COO
- Stephanie K., Chief Human Resources Officer
- Jordyn L., Marketing Manager
- Jeff Z., Chief Financial Officer
- Jessica H., Associate Project Manager
- Tim G., Manager of Learning & Development
- Alexis S., Senior Estimating Coordinator
- Stephanie L., Contract Administrator
- Jared B., Safety & Quality Coordinator
- Chris F., Operations Support Manager
- Kelly B., Human Resources Generalist
- Mike M., IT Manager
- Kayla C., 2nd Year Apprentice
Red Lion Area High School Staff:
- Pam S., Career Coordinator
- Sarah W., Co-op and Internship Coordinator
IBEW Local 229 Speakers:
- Scott B., Youth Program Director
- Phil L., Director of Education
Capital Electric Speaker:
- Chuck W., Account Manager
Schneider Electric Speaker:
- Jennifer S., Account Manager
As an electrical contractor that has proudly served our industry for over 100 years, we provide solutions and value to our clients while being inclusive, diverse, and committed to our industry partners, employees, and community. We are a family-owned business, and our people are our greatest asset. See the career opportunities currently available or reach out to humanresources@ib-abel.com to learn more about our competitive benefits, training and mentorship programs, and our culture.
