TANNER NICKS
Job Title: Journeyman Electrician
Company: Pavletich Electric & Communications, Inc.
Location: Bakersfield, Calif.
Age: 25
Years on the Job: 6.5
Interests: Spending time with his wife and son and going fishing on a river
Following high school graduation, Tanner Nicks worked for his dad, a general contractor. “Through working for him, I found myself becoming interested in the electrical trade as well as the how and why electricity operates,” he says. “My oldest brother is a journeyman electrician who works for the same company I do.”
Born in Bakersfield, Calif., Nicks completed his five-year apprenticeship program through the Western Electrical Contractors Association (WECA). “The training I have received has given me the confidence and knowledge to be responsible for being in charge of jobs as well as the safety of others when working on the job site that I am in charge of,” he says.
As a journeyman electrician and lead for his company, his day begins with obtaining material for the daily work. He also sets aside work for employees depending on their knowledge and experience. He enjoys teaching the people who work for him faster ways to do certain tasks and answering questions about electrical installations or operation of electrical equipment.
“Teaching is a very rewarding process that my role includes,” he says.
He is currently working on a project involving the remodel of apartment homes for low-income residents. It includes new installations of devices as well as bringing the home up to current electrical code standards. He is also working on solar structure installations for fast-food chains.
Ten years from now, he hopes to be in a management position. To reach that goal, he plans to do additional schooling or training.
“I enjoy the work I do; however, we as tradesmen sacrifice physical labor to earn a living and that is not something I want to do until I am ready to retire,” he says. “In the long run, I hope to enjoy seeing my son grow and being able to keep up with him.”
He is thankful to all the journeymen/leads and his family/friends for their support and giving him the opportunity to become who he is today.
“Without them none of this would’ve been possible,” he says.
