Learning to earn in the electrical field with the Tucson Electrical Joint Training Program | News

At 35 years old, Kassandra Bodanza is looking toward an electrifying and bright future, pursuing something few women consider.

As part of a joint apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Bodanza is training to become a commercial electrician.

“It seemed like a good fit,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed math. I’ve always enjoyed science, and I like being active, too. Sitting behind a desk sounds awful to me. I was just trying to find something that would fit that criteria and that’s how I got here.”

According to the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, construction is the second fastest-growing sector in the state. It is the most in-demand industry, showing the greatest employment and wage growth. The top in-demand industry in Pima County is the management of companies and enterprises, followed by manufacturing and mining. All these industries require construction services. 

Carlos Contreras, the director of the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, said the construction industry is motivated to recruit women into the trades mainly because it is recruiting new talent.

“Women comprise almost 16% of the construction workforce,” he said. “That’s a lot of growth in terms of people in this industry. We’re like the second highest percentage in terms of the country, so we’re actually one of the leaders. That’s also a big opportunity to get women into this field.”

Still, Bodanza is somewhat of a rarity, although less rare than in the past. Out of a cohort of 65, she is one of five women. This does not daunt her. In fact, it’s not even an issue.

“All the foremen I have talked with, all the journeymen I’ve dealt with, they’ve all been very helpful and very respectful,” she said.

“They just want to teach me because I want to be there. If they see that you’re there and you want to do the work, actively asking questions and engaged, they want you there.”

Bodanza took some time to find a place in the program. In her previous life before joining, Bodanza worked as a server at a Tucson resort. It was a decent job; it covered her bills, but when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and she was laid off, she began to reconsider her life. “What am I going to do?” she asked herself.

Eventually, she returned to the resort, but the time off “triggered something that made me think, ‘Is this what I want to do? Do I want to be a server or do I want something more?’” she said. 

She didn’t want to take the traditional route of school, but she desired to make a living, so she started Googling the trades. 

Although Bodanza did not want to return to school, her first application was rejected. There was not enough education or on-the-job training, they said. She didn’t give up; she tried again. That led her to Pima Community College, where, while still working at the resort, she studied for a certificate in electricity and an associate’s degree in building and construction. Then, she applied to the program again and was accepted.

The difference between earning a degree and being part of the apprenticeship program is simple.

“(In the program), you get placed and you get a wage and after a certain amount of time you will get union benefits,” Bodanza said. “Now I’m working in the field and I go to school twice a week.” 

So far, Bodanza has been on two job sites and found the work satisfying, but she knew she would because she had enjoyed the process of electrical work in school. 

“Even when I was at Pima there is a segment when we were doing hands-on things in classrooms and labs, wiring circuits and receptacles,” she said. “I just enjoyed putting together the circuits and seeing an end result, like I flip the switch and the lights came on if everything was done right. If it didn’t, then I had to troubleshoot it, and it just made my mind have to work. It was mentally stimulating for me and that was just very important. Now, when I’m in the field doing industrial/commercial stuff, it’s still the same way,” she added.Bodanza is only in the first year of a four-year program. She does not anticipate her interest waning.

“It’s just very exciting to learn different things,” she said. “The electrical field is constantly changing, like with solar and communications… It’s just all very interesting and I can go down many paths.”