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Electrician on EGCC project also is a student
By Denise Dick
Youngstown
An electrician foreman who attends Eastern Gateway Community College is among the crew working to retrofit the Plaza Building before college classes begin there.
Dale Barber, 27, of Struthers, who works for University Electric in the city, has two more classes to finish his associate degree in technical studies. After that, he plans to go on to Youngstown State University to earn a bachelor’s degree, possibly in electrical engineering.
“I love working in the field, and I’d prefer staying in the field,” Barber said.
But he wants a bachelor’s degree to “fall back on” if work in the field dries up.
“What’s three or four more years of school?” he said. “I’ve already been in school for 20 years.”
This marks Barber’s seventh year in the field.
He worked a year as an unindentured apprentice “to see if I was made for this.”
Then he enrolled in the apprentice program through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, taking classes at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center through the union.
While working on his apprenticeship, he also enrolled at Eastern Gateway, taking classes both at the college and for his apprenticeship.
He graduated from the apprenticeship program in June 2011.
As someone who returned to school after working, Barber shares characteristics with other EGCC students.
“Eastern Gateway always serves many nontraditional students who have been in the work force and returned to college to increase their skills and knowledge,” said Ann Koon, a spokeswoman for the college. “Among this group are single parents, adult learners and dislocated workers. The average age of the college’s student body is 28.”
As an electrician foreman working on the Plaza Building, Barber makes sure his workers have the materials they need and know if any changes need to be made. He still tries to work with tools as much as he can.
He enjoys the work,
“I like learning every day, learning new things, being active,” Barber said. “I couldn’t sit behind a desk all day. I like the satisfaction of knowing what I can accomplish, what I can do.”
He’s hoping he can finish his last two classes online because of his busy schedule, but he says it’s kind of neat to be working on his school.
Koon said the first classrooms and labs at the new Valley Center will be ready for the start of fall classes Aug. 20.
“The first phase includes nine classrooms and the information commons that will provide library services as well as open computer access for students,” she said.
“Later in October, the admissions and student services areas will be open and relocated from the Choffin Career and Technical Center. Also this fall, the college bookstore will be completed.”
More classrooms and labs will be added later this year, the spokeswoman said.