Celebrating Careers in Construction Month with Starr Electric Company: A Community-Driven Approach to Building Futures
As we celebrate Careers in Construction Month, it's essential to shine a spotlight on companies making an impact in the industry and their local communities. Our partner, Starr Electric Company, SEC, is leading this initiative by shaping the future of construction through actively engaging with the community and creating opportunities for the next generation in the trades.
At the heart of this effort are the SEC Labor team and Jesse Bailey, Regional Labor Manager at Starr Electric. Jesse totes his portable recruiting office, a fully customized box trailer equipped with iPads, televisions, air conditioning, and even a BBQ to dozens of local communities all around North and South Carolina. This initiative was established to engage young adults, and people who have taken an interest in the trades, highlighting Starr’s very own apprenticeship program.
A Role Focused on Growth and Opportunity
Jesse’s role as the Regional Labor Manager goes beyond the typical responsibilities of hiring and managing labor. While ensuring operational excellence, he has personally taken on the company’s mission, educating and inspiring the next wave of electricians. Jesse has taken on this role of leading outreach initiatives, more specifically, the mobile recruiting campaign.
With a background in the military, Jesse’s journey reflects the growth potential the trades offer. “I started with a shovel,” he says, recalling his early days in the industry. His experience is a testament to the opportunities available within the trades for those willing to learn and work hard.
Innovation on Wheels: The Story Behind Starr’s Recruitment Trailer
Starr Electric’s mobile recruitment trailer was inspired by, Allen Holloman, SEC’s Senior Vice President Operations. The trailer is a full-fledged recruitment tool designed to make the electrical trade accessible and attractive to potential candidates in local communities. It’s a simple yet powerful idea: bring the opportunity to the people at events they are eager to be at.
Equipped with hardwood floors, multiple televisions, fast and reliable WIFI, and even a grill, because Jesse loves to cook and knows the power of food to bring people together. The trailer travels to local high schools, college campuses, festivals, and community events. What makes it truly special is its functionality, it carries six iPads for him to hand out to the crowd, allowing anyone interested to sign up for Starr Electric’s apprenticeship program right on the spot. This immediate access to career opportunities makes the path to becoming an electrician clear, easy, and attainable.
“The goal is early education and career awareness,” Jesse explains. Starr Electric has recognized the gap in getting people into the trades, particularly when it comes to raising awareness about the lucrative and stable careers that are available at SEC. By taking their message on the road, they’re reaching more young people than ever before.
A Life-Changing Career Path
Starr Electric’s efforts go beyond recruitment; they are transforming lives for the better. Jesse shares the heart wrenching story of one employee who has been with the company for over a decade. This employee was homeless before discovering the career opportunity of becoming an electrician. Today, he is a stand-out superintendent at Starr Electric and a shining example of the life-changing potential of the trades.
The apprenticeship program that helped him achieve this is free, making it accessible to anyone ready to take the first step toward a better future, joining the SEC team. Starr Electric’s is focused on career development and mentorship which ensures their employees don’t just have jobs; they have the support and guidance needed to build lifelong careers.
William Montgomery, A Level 4 Apprentice Helper, shares, “Going through the apprenticeship has done wonders for my career. Joining it has allowed me to further my education while still receiving on-the-job training. When I first started the apprenticeship, I was new to the trade without any knowledge; now, I'm in my fourth year with a better understanding of the electrical field.”
This apprentice program has helped change many individuals’ lives for the better. This opportunity allows for flexibility and can be done part-time while you are working or in school. You can finish this program in 4 short years, and it takes place two nights a week. The teachers share valuable life skills and industry lessons equipping you for the future of becoming a successful electrician.
A Call to Action: Careers in Construction
For Jesse, the message to those considering a career in the trades is clear: “Come to work, be on time, and be willing to learn.” His advice reflects the core values that have driven his success in the industry: a positive mindset, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to seize opportunities.
As we celebrate Careers in Construction Month, Starr Electric Company is a shining example of how companies that are thinking outside the box can play a vital role in their communities. This recruitment campaign has provided education, mentorship, and career opportunities to many individuals interested in learning more about the trades. Through their innovative initiatives like the mobile recruitment trailer and free apprenticeship program, they are not only addressing the skilled labor shortage but also helping individuals transform their lives.
Jesse’s passion for the work he does, and the impact Starr Electric has on the community is evident. By spreading awareness and providing accessible paths into the trades, Starr Electric is helping to build a stronger, more skilled workforce for the future, one apprentice at a time.
Whether you’re just starting your career or looking for a change, the opportunities in construction and the electrical trade are boundless. With the right mindset and the willingness to learn, the future is bright, and Starr Electric is there to help guide the way.
Check out their website to learn more about the recruiting trailer: https://www.starrelectric.net
https://www.starrelectric.net/apprenticeship-program
To contact Jesse Bailey directly, reach out to him via https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-bailey-07787685/or jbailey@starrelectric.net.