Julian Martinez

Julian Martinez was 16 and in the 10th grade when he decided to drop out of high school. After a few years of working part-time and struggling to make ends meet, Martinez knew he needed to make changes in his life.

“I realized how hard life could get without an education or degree, and not having a skill to fall back on,” said Martinez, who was born and raised in Northeast Florida.

At age 19, Martinez enrolled in the GED preparation course at Clay County Adult & Community Education. The organization provides continuing education courses for adult students within Clay and the surrounding counties. For adults without a high school diploma, earning a GED can help in many ways and lead to other career training programs. After completing the preparation course, Martinez took the exam to earn his GED.

“It took willpower to get the course done,” Martinez said. “But once I earned my GED, doors began to open for me.”

Through his contacts at Clay County Adult & Community Education, Martinez learned about opportunities with the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) Apprenticeship Program. The four-year apprenticeship program offers training while students work full time with their employer and attend school to earn a trade license. Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing and Sheet Metal are the five trades that are being offered to students who have earned a high school diploma or GED. The program is 100% tuition-free. Martinez enrolled in the Electrical Apprenticeship program in June 2023.

“I am ‘shocked’ at how much I have learned so far in less than a year,” Martinez said with a smile.

The Electrical Apprenticeship program trains individuals to become journeymen electricians with electrical classes and on the job training with electrical businesses sponsoring the program. The employers pay the students for their work and education.

As a NEFBA apprentice, Martinez has been given the opportunity to work hands-on beside highly skilled professionals on both commercial and residential job sites. Electricians are responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing electrical power, communications, lighting and control systems for homes and businesses. They are proficient trade workers who embrace problem-solving and troubleshooting, and they are able to confidently face new challenges at every job site.

“I approach every job with an open mind, and I am ready to conquer whatever comes my way,” Martinez said.

Martinez is paid an hourly wage while receiving on-the-job training at T&M Electric, Inc. in Orange Park. The training is supplemented with classroom instruction on site two nights a week. After six months in the program, Martinez received his first raise. Throughout the program, apprentices receive industrial credentials. After graduation, they receive a certificate of completion from the Florida Department of Education which makes them eligible for their journeyman certification.

“After the apprentice program ends, I’ll be on my way to becoming a master electrician,” Martinez said.

Earning a GED and enrolling in the NEFBA Apprenticeship Program has been life-changing for Martinez. He encourages everyone interested in learning new skills and a trade to consider an apprenticeship.

“This program is a great opportunity and useful to anyone who wants to be successful,” Martinez said.