United States, September 14, 2025
News Summary
A U.S. Department of Labor–registered project management apprenticeship for the electrical construction industry has grown rapidly, enrolling more than 100 apprentices across 10+ cohorts. The program, operated with 60+ contractor partners in over 25 states, combines classroom instruction and on-the-job learning to prepare job-ready project managers for complex electrical projects. Scholarship support from the Wesco Cares workforce development initiative helped fund the first year and will continue as the program expands. A formal graduation will recognize graduates from the initial cohorts, with additional rolling graduations and employer engagement at industry events.
More than 100 apprentices are poised to graduate next month through the NECA/ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship, with the first cohort set to complete in October. The graduates are supported by the Wesco Cares scholarship program, underscoring Wesco International’s commitment to workforce development in electrical construction.
Wesco executives will be onsite at the annual NECA Convention in Chicago, Sept. 12–15, to discuss the company’s partnership with ELECTRI International and the ongoing success of the scholarship program. The gathering marks the one-year anniversary of the apprenticeship initiative, highlighting rapid growth and broad reach.
To date, the program has enrolled more than 100 apprentices across more than 10 cohorts, with the first graduation including 20 graduates from Cohorts 1 and 2. Cohorts continue on a monthly cadence, and graduations occur on a rolling basis throughout the year. The apprenticeship is U.S. Department of Labor–registered.
The program operates in collaboration with 60-plus NECA contractors across more than 25 states, aiming to redefine how electrical contractors grow and retain project management talent in an era of more complex, capital-heavy projects.
The scholarship launch in 2024, in partnership with ELECTRI International, was designed to strengthen Wesco’s commitment to the electrical industry and to support essential workforce development. Wesco plans to continue investing in the ELECTRI-registered apprenticeship as part of its broader construction services portfolio.
The apprenticeship has been described as one of the largest and fastest-growing programs of its kind in the country, with goals that include helping to address the ongoing industry labor shortage and fostering the next generation of business leaders in electrical construction.
In terms of broader workforce initiatives, Wesco has engaged in programs beyond construction training. Notably, the company joined the Department of Defense SkillBridge program in November 2023, enabling service members to gain civilian work experience through industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. Roles linked to SkillBridge are available in multiple locations, including Phoenix, Chicago, Houston and Reno, with opportunities focused on areas such as warehousing, order fulfillment, and team leadership. Service members participating in SkillBridge continue to receive military compensation and benefits while pursuing civilian training and work experience.
On the corporate side, Wesco operates as a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and trades on the NYSE under the ticker WCC. The company reports a multi-billion-dollar annual sales figure and a global workforce of roughly 20,000 employees. Its reach spans more than 700 sites, including distribution centers, fulfillment centers, and sales offices in over 50 countries. Wesco emphasizes a broad product and services portfolio that covers Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions, delivering millions of products and end-to-end supply chain services to commercial, industrial, governmental, and utility customers.
The information summarized here reflects the integrated efforts of Wesco and its partners to advance workforce development, veteran programs, and strategic apprenticeship initiatives as part of its broader mission to build, connect, power, and protect the world.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the NECA/ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship?
A: A U.S. Department of Labor–registered program run in partnership with ELECTRI International, designed to develop project management talent for electrical contractors through structured apprenticeship cohorts and ongoing education.
Q: How many apprentices are involved and how many cohorts exist?
A: There are over 100 apprentices across more than 10 cohorts currently active in the program, with monthly cohort launches and rolling graduations throughout the year.
Q: When is the first graduation and how many graduates does it include?
A: The first graduation is scheduled for October and includes 20 graduates from the initial cohorts.
Q: Who is involved in delivering the program?
A: The program is delivered through a partnership with 60-plus NECA contractors across more than 25 states, with support from the Wesco Cares scholarship program.
Q: What is the role of the Wesco Cares scholarship?
A: The scholarship supports the apprentices in pursuing project management training and related development as part of Wesco’s broader workforce initiatives.
Q: What additional workforce programs does Wesco participate in?
A: In addition to the apprenticeship, Wesco participates in the Department of Defense SkillBridge program for transitioning service members, offering civilian training opportunities and continuing military compensation during training in eligible roles and locations.
Q: How extensive is Wesco’s footprint and what is its corporate profile?
A: Wesco is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Pittsburgh, trading as NYSE: WCC, with reported annual sales in the multi-billion-dollar range, a global workforce of about 20,000, and a network of more than 700 sites across 50 countries, offering a broad portfolio of electrical, communications, and utility solutions.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Apprenticeship scope | Project management training for electrical contractors through a formal, registered program run with ELECTRI International. |
| Graduation cadence | Rolling graduations throughout the year, with the first batch graduating in October. |
| Geographic reach | More than 25 states, involving 60+ NECA contractors. |
| Scholarship program | Wesco Cares scholarship to support apprenticeship participants and workforce development. |
| Program registration | Registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. |
| Strategic partnerships | Partnership with ELECTRI International, NECA contractors, and Wesco’s broader construction services initiatives. |
| Related workforce programs | Participation in the Department of Defense SkillBridge program to help transitioning service members gain civilian work experience. |
| Company profile | Wesco International (NYSE: WCC): Fortune 500 company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, with multi-billion-dollar sales and about 20,000 employees, operating hundreds of sites worldwide. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- ECMWeb: Wesco’s scholarships support more than 100 apprentices through NECA/ELECTRI project management program
- Wikipedia: Apprenticeship
- CSRwire: Wesco joins DoD SkillBridge program
- Google Search: NECA ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship
- NECA: Project Management Apprenticeship (NECA/ELECTRI)
- Google Scholar: project management apprenticeship electrical construction
- Apprenticeship.gov: Find programs & resources
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Apprenticeship
- Wesco Newsroom: Workforce development & scholarships
- Google News: NECA ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship
