International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers,
San Francisco Joint Apprenticeship
and Training Committee
Organized Labor
October 2009
Mark Schalch, Apprentice Schalch recently came in second in the electrician trade contest for the “8 Western States.” Twenty-four JATCs each sent their apprentice of the year to compete. My family members have been union electricians for four generations. As a kid growing up, my dad would show me blueprints and explain what the symbols meant. He'd have me wire up stuff at home while he supervised. It was fun. When the whole family gets together, we’re all electricians. I like the mental aspect of the trade. There is always new technology coming out and something new to learn. You are never standing still. I like the challenge.