Every day, apprentices step onto job sites and into classrooms, learning skills that will carry them from their first project to leading a team. Through our partnership with the Western Electrical Contractors Association (WECA), aspiring electricians gain not just technical expertise but the real-world experience during their apprenticeship that powers lifelong careers in the trades.

The path from apprentice to journeyman, to foreman, or any other leadership role in the field is not always a quick one. It is built day by day through long hours, strong mentorship, and the drive to keep learning.

For two Corbins teammates that journey has come full circle. Isaiah Cook, journeyman, was awarded as an Outstanding Apprentice in 2025, and Logan Lambert, who graduated last year as Valedictorian of his class, is now leading crews as a foreman. 

Together, their stories reflect what growth at Corbins is all about. 

From Being Green to Being a Game-Changer

As a David G. Hollis 2025 Outstanding Apprentice Award winner in Arizona, Isaiah reflects on how far he’s come since starting his WECA journey. For him, the biggest change has been confidence, and not just in his skills, but in his ability to lead.

“The change that I notice in myself the most is rooted in confidence,” he says. “Not just in my knowledge of electrical work, but in my ability to lead the next generation of apprentices that come after me. When I started with Corbins, I was the definition of green. I couldn’t tell you the difference between strut and conduit. Now, as I graduate my apprenticeship and begin working as a journeyman electrician, leadership looks to me to guide our team in completing high-quality work on time.”

That pride extends to how Isaiah views the trade itself.

“Every day, your work isn’t just a reflection of you. It’s a reflection of the guy helping you, your team, your foreman, your leadership, and your company.“

“It’s easy to do your best work when you’re having a great day; the challenge is to keep those same standards when you’re frustrated or have different ideas of how to get things done. Take pride in what you do, whether you’re installing a receptacle or hooking up power for an entire building.”

He admits the job can be demanding, especially when schedules call for early mornings and long hours.

“Sometimes the schedule has you starting at 3 a.m., and waking up can be brutal,” he explains. “But if you get plenty of sleep and take care of yourself, the rest of the job comes a lot easier.”

Over the course of his apprenticeship, he’s seen places and projects he never expected.

“I’ve had the opportunity to experience fabrication in shop environments, service work out of a van, field work for entire data centers, and travel to other states. Now I’m on a medium voltage crew working alongside some of the best. I never expected the places this work would take me, and I’m loving every minute of it.”

A Foreman’s Perspective

Graduating from WECA as Valedictorian of his class last year,  foreman Logan Lambert knows what it takes to turn an apprenticeship into a leadership role. For him, the biggest adjustment came not from learning the trade but from learning how to lead people.

“I went from being the person utilizing tools and being told what to do, to being the one who has to know what’s going on as it pertains to the schedule, the scope, the expectations, and make the plan to get it done,” he says.

His experience gave him the knowledge and confidence to grow into that responsibility. It wasn’t one defining moment that made him feel ready. It was a gradual evolution encouraged by mentors and experience.

Now that he’s in a leadership position, his advice to current apprentices is grounded in curiosity and humility. 

“Take the apprenticeship seriously; it will give you invaluable information. Ask questions both in school and on the job. Nobody knows everything, and in this ever-changing trade, you can always be a student and improve,” he states.

“Something really cool about this field is how much collaboration there is between foremen, superintendents, engineers, and project managers. We’re all learning from one another, so stay hungry, stay humble, and apply yourself in everything you do.”

Leadership, he’s learned, is as much about people as it is about projects.

“You have to learn how to deal with all kinds of people, those above and below you all have different personalities and backgrounds. Playing to each other’s strengths is most important.”

As for what’s ahead, both Isaiah and Logan are energized by the opportunities still to come.

The success each of them has had as an apprentice reflects what is possible when training, opportunity, and teamwork align. Through apprenticeship programs like WECA, Corbins continues to invest in the next generation of craft professionals. These individuals will carry innovative practices and leadership into the future of the construction industry. 

Interested in what your own journey in the electrical trade can look like? Explore current opportunities on our careers page.