United States, September 14, 2025
News Summary
A U.S. Department of Labor–registered project management apprenticeship for the electrical construction industry has grown rapidly, enrolling more than 100 apprentices across 10+ cohorts. The program, operated with 60+ contractor partners in over 25 states, combines classroom instruction and on-the-job learning to prepare job-ready project managers for complex electrical projects. Scholarship support from the Wesco Cares workforce development initiative helped fund the first year and will continue as the program expands. A formal graduation will recognize graduates from the initial cohorts, with additional rolling graduations and employer engagement at industry events.
More than 100 apprentices set to graduate from NECA/ELECTRI project management apprenticeship; first cohort ceremony scheduled for October
A nationwide apprenticeship in electrical project management will mark an early milestone next month when more than 100 participants complete the program supported by a private scholarship effort. The first formal graduation, coming in October, will recognize 20 apprentices from the program’s initial cohorts.
Key facts up front
The program recently reached its one-year anniversary and now includes just over 100 apprentices spread across more than 10 cohorts. The training is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and runs in partnership with more than 60 NECA contractors across more than 25 states. New cohorts launch roughly once per month, and graduations occur on a rolling schedule throughout the year.
Scholarship support and company involvement
The apprentices receive financial support from a scholarship program launched in 2024 to back this registered apprenticeship. Program backers say the scholarship was put in place to strengthen workforce development as projects grow in size and complexity, and to help firms hire and retain trained project managers.
Company leaders plan to meet with industry members at a major industry convention in Chicago in mid-September to discuss the partnership’s progress and the scholarship program’s results to date. The event is scheduled for Sept. 12–15 and will include on-site conversations about apprenticeship growth and workforce needs.
Program goals and structure
The apprenticeship aims to change how electrical contractors find, train and keep project management talent by providing formal, job-ready training. Organizers describe the effort as one of the largest and fastest-growing registered project management apprenticeships in the country. Over 60 contractor partners deliver the instruction and on-the-job experience needed for apprentices to move into supervisory and management roles on capital projects.
The course structure pairs classroom or virtual training with hands-on work at contractor sites. Apprentices come from many parts of the United States and the apprenticeship moves new groups through instruction and field time on a monthly cadence, with formal recognition events held periodically.
Why the effort matters
Backers say the apprenticeship responds to a long-running labor shortage in the trades and a rising need for managers who can handle larger, more complex electrical projects. The scholarship portion was intended to reduce barriers to entry and to encourage a new generation of business-minded leaders in electrical construction.
Related workforce initiatives
In a related move from late 2023, the sponsoring company joined a federal program that helps service members transition to civilian work by placing them in industry training and apprenticeships during their final months of active duty. That move included openings in supply chain and operations roles in several U.S. cities and a veterans-focused internal group that supports employee veterans and families.
Organization snapshot
The company supporting the scholarship is a publicly listed distributor and services firm based in Pittsburgh. It operates worldwide, with hundreds of sites and tens of thousands of employees, and offers products and services across electrical, communications and utility markets. The company has said it will continue to invest in the registered apprenticeship moving forward.
What’s next
The first graduation ceremony in October will mark an important step for the program’s earliest participants and set the tone for additional recognitions planned year-round. Apprentices and contractor partners will continue to cycle through monthly cohorts as the program expands into more regions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NECA/ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship?
It is a U.S. Department of Labor–registered apprenticeship focused on preparing people for project management roles in electrical construction. The program combines classroom or virtual instruction with on-the-job training delivered through contractor partners.
How many apprentices are in the program now?
There are just over 100 apprentices organized into more than 10 cohorts, with new cohorts starting about once per month.
When are graduations held?
Graduations happen on a rolling basis throughout the year. The first institutional ceremony for initial cohorts is scheduled for October.
Who supports the scholarships?
A corporate scholarship program launched in 2024 provides financial support to apprentices. The company has said it will continue that investment to support workforce development.
Is this program open to veterans or transitioning service members?
The supporting organization participates in a federal transition program that places service members into industry training and apprenticeships. That program allows qualifying service members to gain civilian work experience during the final months of active duty.
How can contractors get involved?
Contractors can partner with the registered apprenticeship to host apprentices or deliver instruction. Interested firms typically contact the program administrators to learn about partnership steps and requirements.
Where can I learn more?
For full program details, including application and partnership information, check the official apprenticeship and scholarship program websites.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program type | U.S. Department of Labor–registered project management apprenticeship |
| Number of apprentices | More than 100 apprentices across 10+ cohorts |
| Scholarship support | Corporate scholarship program launched in 2024 to fund apprentices |
| Geographic reach | Partnership with 60+ contractor firms across 25+ states |
| Graduation cadence | Rolling graduations; first cohort ceremony in October (20 apprentices) |
| Related workforce work | Participation in a federal SkillBridge program for transitioning service members and internal veteran support initiatives |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- ECMWeb: Wesco’s scholarships support more than 100 apprentices through NECA/ELECTRI project management program
- Wikipedia: Apprenticeship
- CSRwire: Wesco joins DoD SkillBridge program
- Google Search: NECA ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship
- NECA: Project Management Apprenticeship (NECA/ELECTRI)
- Google Scholar: project management apprenticeship electrical construction
- Apprenticeship.gov: Find programs & resources
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Apprenticeship
- Wesco Newsroom: Workforce development & scholarships
- Google News: NECA ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship
Author: Construction CA News
CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER The CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructioncanews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in California and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rose Parade, Coachella, Comic-Con, and the California State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the California Building Industry Association and Associated General Contractors of California, plus leading businesses in technology and entertainment that power the local economy such as Apple and Alphabet. As part of the broader network, including constructionnynews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape across multiple states.
