Photo Credit: Emily Clack Photography, The Big Build at the National Building Museum.
Along with the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26, The Electrical Alliance participated in Big Build 2019 Saturday, October 12, 2019 at The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
The annual event brings together children – both big and small (and some fully-grown parents) – and tradespeople for a full day of educational and interactive demonstrations by the building and construction trades. This year over 3,200 people attended the event. The Electrical Alliance and JATC area showcased how a light switch functions, and with the help of eager children, wired an electrical unit and literally turned on light bulbs as well as putting PVC conduit together.
JATC Assistant Director Roy Reeves and a team of apprentices/RENW members, including Luis Llamas, Akeem Issa, Leon Straus, Leron Douglas, Jael Biley, Malik Mahdi and Cary James conducted demonstrations and handed out light bulb stress toy. Some children enjoyed the activities so much that they returned numerous times to attempt lighting up light bulbs!
Leon Straus, 5th year JATC Apprentice and RENEW member commented, “I found Big Build rewarding on a personal level. It was great being able to educate young children and their parents about electricity and how homes are wired. And to see them relate and be more aware of what goes into something so basic and everywhere and appreciate the work that goes into building it.”
Big Build is an annual community event that introduces children and parents to opportunities in trades – a worthwhile career path for future consideration. Mark your calendar for Big Build 2020 – Saturday, October 17!
The JATC is sponsored by the Electrical Alliance, a cooperative effort between the Washington, D.C. Chapter of National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 26.
