IBEW Training Director Appointed to State Board

Cleveland Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Director Ken Field was recently appointed to the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council.

The Apprenticeship Council is a state board made up of representatives from various aspects of the industry and the public. It is comprised of three employer representatives, three employee representatives, three public representatives, four advisory members and three representatives from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Field’s appointment was made by Gov. Mike DeWine’s office earlier this year.

Field brings a wealth of experience to the board, having served as the Director of the Cleveland Electrical JATC for the past 12 years. Before that he served as the Assistant Training Director for two years and spent several years teaching.

Field went through the apprenticeship himself, became a journeyman, worked as a foreman and eventually found himself in education. He said it started with teaching one class and has turned into full time.

The Apprenticeship Council position is unpaid and is done on a strictly volunteer basis. Field decided to apply for the position after a colleague’s suggestion.

In his first meeting with the Apprenticeship Council, Field was able to virtually meet the other members. He is looking forward to meeting in person in the coming weeks.

Field is excited for what he believes will be a great experience helping shape the future of apprenticeship programs in Ohio.

“I have the experience to make a difference, sitting on several advisory boards and the Ohio Workforce Development Board,” he said. “I have been around for a while, learned the system and have been able to adapt to new things.”

He also believes the Apprenticeship Council is one of the many state entities working to improve the trades, which need more highly trained tradesmen and tradeswomen.

“The state is beginning to work harder to bring more people into the trades,” he said. “This is just one example.”