JOSE ALVAREZ
Job Title: Electrical Apprentice
Company: Unity Power Services
Location: Upperville, Va.
Age: 21
Years on the Job: 2
Interests: Fishing, racing, beekeeping, enjoying the outdoors, working on cars, and participating in the 24 Hours of Lemons Race
When Jose Alvarez was in high school, he and his friends decided to take an electrical class, which changed the course of his career.
“We took the class because we knew it was something good to learn, but I never thought it would be something that I found so interesting,” he says. “That’s where the spark started, and I began to fall in love with the trade.”
Born in Jalisco, Mexico, and raised in Marshall, Va., he started off with two semesters of electrical classes in high school, earned his OSHA 10, took more courses at Laurel Ridge Community College, and got certified in lift operation through an online program.
As service tech Level 2, his day starts off by arriving at the shop, pulling material, traveling to jobs, and then returning to the shop. He says his responsibilities have changed since he started.
“I used to just clean, carry ladders, and bring the lead guy material, but now I have to make sure wires are terminated properly and tighten down to a specific torque, or verify if voltage is tested,” Alvarez says.
He and his team work in many different environments, ranging from a steel factory to a homeowner’s kitchen to a government facility. For one of his recent projects, he ran feeders to a subpanel feeding a baseball and soccer field lighting system.
“I just love how no matter what the situation is, I’m able to adjust and get the job done,” he says.
Down the road, he hopes to earn his journeyman’s and master’s license. He also wants to manage projects and solve mysteries others can’t solve.
“I plan on reaching these goals by working hard and preparing for these exams,” he says. “I’m learning more every day and keep pushing myself to become better and better. The learning never stops.”
He says it’s an honor and a great feeling to be part of the 2024 EC&M 30 Under 30.
