Lemberg Electric is proud to be part of the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program, administered by the Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce Chamber (RAMAC). This program provides high school students like Alfredo Gonzalez with valuable hands-on experience in their chosen fields while still attending school. Alfredo, a Racine Park High School student, is working with us as our first youth apprentice and is on track to graduate in June 2025.
Alfredo worked full-time during the summer of 2024, completing 200 hours, and continued part-time during the school year to reach a total of 450 apprenticeship hours. During his time with Lemberg Electric, he will work on a job site to contribute to the Red Apple School project, a new K4-8 STEAM elementary school in the Racine Unified School District.
We sat down with Alfredo and his manager, Prefabrication Foreman Adam Dieball, to shed light on his journey so far and what lies ahead.
Alfredo Gonzalez, Youth Apprentice at Lemberg Electric
Q: Why did you choose the electrical trade?
Alfredo: My father was an electrician, and I always found it interesting when he worked. Growing up, I tagged along with him and picked up a few things, so I decided to pursue it.
Q: What excites you most about working at Lemberg?
Alfredo: I’m excited to continue learning. Adam has taught me so much already, especially how to use tools correctly. I’m also looking forward to going out on the job site and seeing the work come together in the field.
Q: What’s the biggest skill you’ve learned so far?
Alfredo: How to properly use a measuring tape and how to bend pipe, especially when it comes to offsets.
Q: What advice would you give to other students considering a youth apprenticeship?
Alfredo: Go for it! It’s a great opportunity to learn without the pressure of committing to something long-term. You can try it out while you're young, and if you don’t like it, you can move on to something else.
Adam Dieball, Prefabrication Foreman and Alfredo’s Supervisor
Q: How has Alfredo grown since starting the program?
Adam: He’s gained a lot of confidence. At first, he was timid and unsure of his abilities, but over time, he’s learned to trust his skills and become more independent.
Q: What’s next for Alfredo as he heads into the field?
Adam: He’ll be working on the Red Apple School project, exposing him to real-world job site conditions. He’ll help with in-wall roughing, placing electrical boxes, and other foundational work. I’m excited to see how he applies what he’s learned in the prefab shop.
Q: What do you hope Alfredo takes away from this experience?
Adam: I want him to walk away with a solid foundation in the electrical trade, confidence in his abilities, and an appreciation for the complexity of the work we do. He’s already ahead of the curve compared to other entry-level workers, and I think this experience will set him up for long-term success.
Looking Ahead
Lemberg Electric is proud to be a part of Alfredo’s journey, and equally proud of our partnership with the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program. As Kyle Witte, President of Lemberg, notes:
"I’m looking forward to seeing the growth of our first youth apprentice. This gives us an opportunity to train Alfredo in the Lemberg way, and should set him up nicely to either get into the apprenticeship following high school, or as a construction wireman for Lemberg and hit the ground running with a great knowledge and experience base."
As the Lemberg Electric team becomes familiar with the nuances of the youth apprenticeship program, more young adults will be onboarded in the coming years. Lemberg is committed to ensuring these students see all aspects of the industry. Alfredo’s story is just beginning, and the team is excited to watch him grow.
Stay tuned for more updates on his progress and the impact of our youth apprenticeship program!
To learn more about careers at Lemberg Electric, visit www.lembergelectric.com/careers.