Members Get Inspiration from Electrical Contractor Business Class

Members can’t say enough good things about the week-long Contractor Business class they attended at the union’s Pasadena headquarters from May 5-9.  

“The class was amazing,” says Volt Electric President Vincent Rubalcava. “The information they presented was so useful. They presented a lot of great resources – estimating, tax credits, solar, marketing, payroll. You name it.” 

Rubalcava, an 11-year IBEW 11 member, started Volt Electric four years ago, and now boasts a crew of journeymen and apprentice brothers and sisters working for him. He decided to take the class to bolster the solar portion of his business. 

“I’m very excited to be starting this new division in my company,” he said. “I brought my project manager in for the last two days so he would get a better understanding of estimating. We got great advice on solving problems and challenges.” 

Hosted by IBEW 11 and NECA, the class is offered annually by Matt Kolbinsky, President of Pro Union Consulting. The 37-year IBEW member and his team of consultants provided the 30 IBEW 11 members who attended this year’s course with a wealth of information and guidance on how to start or grow their own electrical contracting business.  

“I’m fortunate enough to travel the country and teach brothers and sisters on how to start, run, and grow a successful Union business,” said Koblinsky. “These classes provide our members the education, motivation and support system to expand our market share in the construction industry.” He’s proud that over 635 graduates have started their own businesses after taking his course. 

The class is a mix of members who want a deep dive into the realities of starting their own business and realizing their dreams, and small contractors who want to learn more. 

“My clients were asking if we do residential solar,” Rubalcava explained. “I didn’t know where to begin. So when I attended an emerging market class, I heard about this Contractor Class and I jumped at the chance to learn about solar installs.”  

The goal, explains Koblinksy, is to make it as easy as possible for members to start and run their own business. “We bring in a business development team to run students through what they need to succeed. We create a group of contractors and suppliers and vendors that will help each other out.” Students bonded during the class, and at the end of the series, Volt Electric offered his shop for ongoing training. 

Koblinsky and Business Manager Corona met 20 years ago, when both were organizers, and Corona immediately saw the value of training up union signatories from inside the Local – especially the foremen who
had run big crews and big jobs and wanted to break out on
their own.  

“There’s plenty of opportunity out there for good, well-trained electricians – especially for motivated students who just need the support and information to give them the confidence to follow their dreams. IBEW 11 has such good members – they’re so enthusiastic. We’ve done 15 trainings here – the most of any local in the country,” Koblinsky said.  

And the results speak for themselves. Last year, five members started their own businesses out of the class.  

“Growing from within is the best and easiest way to grow our market share and grow our union. In order to get more work and more opportunities, we need more signatory contractors,” added Corona. 

IBEW 11 Contractor Organizer Ben Frank, who has helped coordinate the training for the past three years, says there’s nothing like this training for members who want to take the next step. “I think it’s one of the best programs Local 11 does. It gives members insight into the business side of the industry. It’s a real eye opener for many of them.” 

“There’s nothing better than having one of our members become a signatory to the local. Their drive and ambition are exactly what our industry needs. They will put our members to work. We’re already seeing calls come into the hall from these newly organized contractors.” 

“And we’re here to support them every step of the way.” They learn about cost and productivity. They also learn about all these business opportunities in these emerging markets: solar, EV charging, fuel cells, battery storage, the residential market and lighting retrofit.” 

It’s exciting to watch them follow their dreams and become their own boss, Frank notes. 

And for the students, it’s important for them to know they have 24/7 access to Frank and the other organizers. “I tell them, I might as well have a cubicle in your office!” Frank laughs.  

It’s very gratifying to help turn members’ dreams into reality, Frank says. “We’ve already invested in our apprenticeship training. Now we’re reaping the benefits of all those years of training, knowing the ins and outs of the industry and a good network of people to rely on. We give them the support and structure, which gives members the confidence to succeed.”