"If I went to a school like this, imagine how smart I would be," one Local 58 retiree joked during the May 12 open house/dedication at the IBEW/NECA Apprenticeship Training Center in Warren.

While it's unlikely that today's electrical worker apprentices and journeymen have any greater aptitude than their forebears, today's International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers now have one of the best facilities in the nation to learn their craft..

The 51,000 square-foot training center in Warren, underwritten by IBEW Local 58 and National Electrical Contractors Association-Southeastern Michigan, opened for the business of educating members on Nov. 6.

"This building is a testimony to a lot of hard work, and it's a tribute to the members and contractors who approved it," said Local 58 Business Manager Jeff Radjewski during the open house. "Now, with the commitment we've made, it's a real selling point for union labor and contractors.".

Having worked in the building for the last six months, Training Director Mike Hogan said the facility "is everything I hoped for and more. We have all the room we need. The IBEW and National Electrical Contractors Association Southeast Michigan Chapter have stepped forward and built the type of training center needed to fulfill the training requirements and manpower needs of the electrical industry."

The $8 million school currently trains 700 electrical worker apprentices, and 200 telecommunication apprentices. The facility can train up to 1,300 apprentices and journeymen. IBEW 58 /NECA sold the old school in Fraser, which was about five times smaller than this facility.

"This new building defines pride, quality and history," said IBEW International Rep. Pat Curley, on hand for the dedication. "When I walked in I felt the pride of those who came before us, those working in the trade presently, and those who will work in the trade in the future."

The single-level brick structure is one of the top three or four largest electrical worker training centers in the nation. The building houses offices for the local's trust funds, and has space for 14 classrooms, including three large shops, a large and a small conference room, and numerous bright, open common areas.

"This is an excellent facility and it represents a commitment by both sides to meet industry needs now and in the future," said Dan Tripp, Southeast Michigan Chapter NECA executive director.

ON HAND FOR the dedication of the new training center were (l-r) Local 58 Business Manager Jeff Radjewski, BA Frank Maisano, President Joe Abdoo, International V.P. Pat Curley, Training Director Mike Hogan, Centerline Electric Owner Clyde Jones, Southeast Michigan Chapter NECA Executive Director Dan Tripp, and Walt Crosby, R & N Electric owner.