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Pre-Apprenticeships for Low Voltage Electricians

Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Seal

Sustainability & Resilience

DEPARTMENT

Heidi Moore-Guynup

Director Tribal and Government Affairs

Matthew Marshall

Director of Energy Resilience and Business Development

Madison Hunt

Clean Energy Fellow, DOE

Ysabelle Yrad

Sustainability Specialist

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Partners

PAID pre-apprenticeship program serving Blue Lake Rancheria, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, and Yurok Tribal communities that helps prepare applicants to enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship program and/or a career in the electrical field.

Low-voltage electricians install, maintain, and repair many of the systems we use every day, including utilities, internet (broadband), phone, and solar installations. The electrical trade is a rapidly growing field for the northern California coast for residential and commercial electric systems. They are a respected and needed profession in our electrified world.

Student Resources - Password Protected

About the Program

Virtual Info Sessions (attend one):
Monday July 21, 2025 at 5pm PST or Tuesday July 22, 2025 at 12pm PST.

Tentative Dates: July 29 - August 21, 2025

The program is a four-week hybrid course, which will include evening virtual sessions each Tuesday and Thursday, 5-7pm PST, and one in-person required extended weekend in Blue Lake, California on Friday August 15 – Sunday August 17, 2025.

The program is approximately 48 hours total and includes a self-paced OSHA 10 certification online.

Participants will receive:

  • The skills needed and preparedness for applying to a registered apprenticeship in the electrical field
  • $5,000 stipend for attendance and participation in full program
  • Your own personal tools and safety equipment (TBD; e.g. tool bag, basic tools, personal meter, safety glasses, gloves, etc.)
  • Accommodations at Blue Lake Hotel and travel expenses for in-person weekends covered by program
  • CPR/First Aid training
  • OSHA 10 (Basic Workplace Safety)
  • Knowledge of support services available to succeed upon completion of the program

During the Program, You will Learn/Program Preview:

  • Introduction to Construction Math
  • How to Use Hand & Power Tools
  • How to Read Construction/Electrical Construction Drawings
  • Introduction to Electrical Circuits
  • Understand How to Work with and for Tribal Nations
  • Introduction to Union Work
  • How to Build a Rewarding Career in the Electrical Field
  • How to Achieve Readiness to Thrive in the Workplace

The Program also includes hands-on demonstrations and job site visits, such as a tour of the Blue Lake Rancheria solar microgrid during the in-person weekend.

You will learn from experienced electrician trainers, professionals, and guest speakers, including instruction from the Meskwaki Nation Apprenticeship Program, as well as guest speakers from the Blue Lake Rancheria, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, Yurok Tribes, and more.

Who Should Apply

Applicants should be able to commit to the full program, including the in-person weekend and virtual schedule. Preference for Tribal members. Individuals who are interested in the program, particularly those who would like to work with and for Tribal Nations in Northern California or disadvantaged and disconnected job seekers, will be considered (specifically, young adults ages 18-25, racial and ethnic minorities, women, disadvantaged youth, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals).

Requirements

  • Must be interested in a career as an electrician
  • Must be 18 years old or older
  • Must possess a High School diploma/GED or completed higher education
  • Must possess a valid Driver’s License
  • Must be able to work legally in the US
  • Must be able to pass a drug screening
  • No prior experience required

How to Apply

Program is limited to 20 applicants. Tribal affiliation is preferred. Applicants who wish to go through the program must be prepared to participate in a screening process which will test their interest, English and Math competency, physical agility, teamwork and leadership skills.

To Learn More

All interested applicants are highly encouraged to attend a virtual information session (only need to attend one):

 

 

The program is funded by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation. The program is provided through a collaborative effort of the Blue Lake Rancheria, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, and Yurok Tribe, who are advancing the Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty project (TERAS).

Contact

For all questions please contact: Ysabelle Yrad | yyrad@bluelakerancheria-nsn.gov

Application

2025 Program Schedule
Pre-Apprenticeships for Low Voltage Electricians

Applications are due July 17, 2025

 

Image Release

Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) staff and/or BLR partners may take photographs or video at the event. This release form authorizes Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe the use of your name, city, and photo for electronic and print media advertising and promotional material. Any and all other information will be kept confidential. I hereby expressly grant Blue Lake Rancheria and its employees, agents and assignees the right to photograph me and the use of my picture, silhouette and other reproductions of my physical likeness (as the same may appear in any still camera photography, social media, video and/or motion picture film/commercial), in and in connection with the exhibition theatrically, on television, or otherwise, of any motion pictures in which the same may be used or incorporated, and/also in the advertising/publicizing of any such motion picture/product, not limited to television, print reproduction or motion pictures. I further give my consent to said company the right to reproduce in any manner whatsoever any recordings made by said company of my voice and all instrumental, musical or other sound effects produced by me. I enter into this agreement willingly and expect no compensation, either monetary or through gift of physical items and/or services.