MEMBE R SP OT LIG H T
ANGELA NOENIC KX
Angela Noenickx (front right) and other members of the IBEW Local 103 Women’s Committee worked on a Habitat For Humanity build this May
Boston JATC instructor Angela Noenickx does it all “for the kids.” Since 1994, Noenickx has worked as an instructor at the Joint Apprentice Training Center (JATC), starting on a part-time basis teaching night classes after working in the field as an electrician during the day. This past year, Noeknickx transitioned to full-time teaching. Although the adjustment to fulltime classroom training was made more difficult due to COVID-19, Noenickx appreciated the change of pace and makes sure to keep in touch with her colleagues, and students that have long since graduated. “I have a million phone numbers just from being out in the field with the kids,” Noenickx said. “Some of them could be older than me and I still call them kids.” Noenickx joined IBEW Local 103 as an apprentice herself in 1986, following in the footsteps of her brother, Herbie. Back then, classroom training only took place at night, and many instructors also worked out in the field during the day. Noenickx believes the opportunity to work with apprentices both on the field and in the classroom is what allowed her to really get to know her pupils, and learn how to best support them.
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“The apprenticeship program is set up like a mentoring program,” Noenickx explained. “You're working underneath journeymen or maybe [JATC] upperclassmen, who are teaching you what they know. We all share our knowledge. We all help each other. We make sure each other is safe.” For many of the apprentices, the training program can be some of the most challenging five years of their lives. It’s not easy showing up to work and class early every day, rain or shine, and that challenge makes graduation even sweeter. “The most rewarding thing is just seeing them make it,” Noenickx said. “Seeing them finish the program. When they get their licenses...it's a big deal. A lot of the outside world doesn't understand how important it is to us. Sometimes I'll have kids call me because they couldn't get ahold of their parents and they needed to call someone right away.” Great work, Angela, and thank you for helping so many members get to the finish line!
