Erick Martinez
B1 Electrical Maintenance Mechanic, California Steel Industries
Current Wage: $25.51/hour
Erick Martinez was working at the County of Riverside CalWORKs office as an Eligibility Technician in early 2016, when he was unexpectedly laid off from his position. His employer directed him to the unemployment office, and as he was going through the process, he saw an InTech Center flyer promoting their new
Industrial Electrical, Industrial Mechanical and HVAC training programs. Erick had always been someone who enjoyed tinkering with and fixing things. When he saw the flyer, he knew it was a sign of the next step to a new career.
Erick enrolled in the InTech Electrical Boot Camp, as well as the HVAC program, where he developed a love for the craft. As he learned more about the industrial maintenance topics that were needed in manufacturing, he knew he had chosen the right path. Due to the training he received at the InTech Center Erick applied for the California Steel Industries (CSI) internship program. While he was not initially accepted into the CSI internship program, CSI partnered with InTech, who had recently begun their own internship program, to give Erick a trial run to see how he performed.
Immediately, Erick’s hard work and positive attitude was apparent. Upon completion of the internship hours, CSI was so impressed with him that they offered him a full-time position as a B1 Electrical Maintenance Technician on August 30, 2017.
Erick was registered as an Industrial Maintenance Electrician apprentice in July 2018. With his previous work experience applied, Erick is expected to complete his apprenticeship and receive his state journey-level certificate in fall 2019.