Ryan Mercier, Anthony Vallesio enter apprentice program at Bent Electric

Somerville High School seniors Ryan Mercier and Anthony Vallesio began a five-year apprentice program today after each earned an IBEW Local 103 scholarship for the pre-Apprentice Partnership Program at Bent Electric. The apprenticeship program allows participating students to become members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  IBEW Local 103 represents all of eastern Massachusetts.

Ryan and Anthony successfully completed their electrical studies in the SHS Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, working under the guidance of SHS Electrical Instructor Frank Zagarella.  Both students also served as CTE Senior Ambassadors, playing an integral role in promoting the Career and Technical Education program to incoming students and in the Somerville community.  Ryan earned the Director’s Award as the top Electrical student in the class this year, and completed many of his electrical competencies throughout the building at Somerville High School. He was a four-year ice hockey player for the Highlanders and was assistant captain for the team this year. He was also a 2012 member of the SHS Golf Team. Anthony was awarded the 2015 Vocational Achievement Award, and was a four-year member of the ice hockey team including serving as team captain this year. Anthony also played on the SHS baseball team this season.

“Ryan and Anthony are both incredibly hardworking, dedicated students. I have no doubt that their work ethic will lead to successful careers in the electrical industry,” stated CTE Director, Leo DeSimone. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to continue this outstanding partnership with Bent Electric and IBEW Local 103. Their support has been invaluable in helping our students reach their professional goals.”

Students in Somerville High School’s CTE Electrical program participate in hands-on training through a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates a wide range of opportunities for students entering the multi-faceted electrical industry. Student hours are calculated and recorded, and are applied towards Massachusetts licensing requirements, providing SHS students with a competitive advantage as they prepare to enter the workforce.

IBEW Local 103’s pre-Apprentice Partnership Program is a highly competitive and widely-recognized program that guarantees students a rigorous course load that includes 10,000 hours of on-the-job training and results in the completion of a Journeyman License.  Students earn competitive wages throughout their participation in the program.

“IBEW Local 103 and Bent Electric have been tremendous partners in our District, helping prepare students for a lifetime of success in the electrical field,” commented Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi.  “We are incredibly grateful for their support.  Congratulations to Ryan and Anthony for their outstanding work, and for earning this opportunity. We look forward to hearing about their continued success in the years ahead.”

“We learn by doing, an approach that has been embraced in our schools by the dedicated educators who provide our students with experiential opportunities, and by IBEW Local 103 and Bent Electric, who through this program support the long-term growth and careers of our students,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “I commend Ryan and Anthony for earning their spots in this rigorous program, and IBEW 103 and Bent Electric for their continued support of Somerville students.”

“We continually look for the best and brightest students to bring into Local 103 IBEW and to enter our program, which we regard as second-to-none in the construction industry,” added Michael Calder, IBEW 103 Business Agent.  “It is vitally important for Local 103 to reach out to our vocational schools to get the next generation of our membership.  Our five-year apprenticeship program offers these young members a chance in the electrical industry that puts them on a path to a long and prosperous career in this ever-changing industry.”

The mission of the IBEW Local 103 is to provide the most skilled and productive workforce in the world, while protecting the rights and benefits of every worker.  IBEW 103 bases much of its success on training and developing workers who deliver on-time and on-budget projects, and who foster a safe working environment.  IBEW members and contractors have been lighting the skyline of Eastern Massachusetts for more than 100 years.  More recently, Local 103 has become the industry leader in emerging markets such as Wind Power and Solar energy.