The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103 donated a brand new van to the electrical department of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Roxbury last week. The van, complete with a Madison-Park-branded decorative wrap, was filled with new electrical equipment, tools, and supplies valued at $10,000 and donated by NECA Greater Boston electrical contractors.

The donations were given to Madison Park to support students preparing for careers in the trades.

Madison Park students and staff greeted IBEW Local 103 and NECA representatives outside of the school to help usher in the donations. IBEW Local 103 decorated the van in the school’s colors, with “Madison Park Electrical Dept.” printed along the side.

Donations contributed by NECA included power tools, hard hats, PPE, and branded merchandise.

“Madison Park is very grateful for this generous donation,” said Sidney Brown, its head of school. “IBEW Local 103 and NECA offer so many amazing opportunities to our students and graduates. Now, they have truly gone above and beyond to support our school and to help us give our electrical program students the best possible education in their chosen field.”

Added Michael Norris, an electrical instructor at Madison Park, “The students were just thrilled to see all the new equipment they’ll have the opportunity to use and, of course, we as instructors appreciate how it will enhance our lessons. The donations are really going to go a long way for Madison Park’s electrical program.”

IBEW Local 103 Business Manager/Financial Secretary, Lou Antonellis and Madison Park electrical instructor Michael Norris pose with the keys to the school’s new van. Photos courtesy IBEW Local 103

IBEW Local 103 and NECA, which connect many Madison Park graduates to rewarding careers in the construction industry through their own jointly-run electrical apprenticeship programs, made the donation as part of their ongoing efforts to support public education, vocational education, and the future of the electrical construction industry.

A Local 103/NECA electrical contractor, McDonald Electric, which employs several Madison Park graduates, helped to coordinate the initiative, which concluded with a formal transfer of the van title from Local 103 to the school.

“Giving back to the cities and towns we work in is a pillar of both the NECA and Local 103 organizations and truly all our partnerships” said Kristen Gowin, executive manager of NECA Greater Boston electrical contractors. “We hope this equipment serves the students well and that we’ll see many of them again soon coming through the doors for our apprenticeship program!”

Said IBEW Local 103 Business Manager/Financial Secretary Lou Antonellis: “As Boston’s premiere institution dedicated to technical and vocational education, Madison Park is absolutely critical to the fabric of public education in our city. Local 103 and NECA are proud of our longstanding partnership with Madison Park, and we want to do anything we can to support its mission and to help further prepare the future of our industry. We’re very happy to donate this electrical equipment that students will be able to use for years to come.”

Upon completing the electrical studies program at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, graduates have the opportunity to apply to an industry-leading apprenticeship program with IBEW Local 103 and NECA.

The renowned training center in Dorchester offers four-year apprenticeship programs in the electrical and telecom fields at no cost to students. Apprentices in these programs earn family-sustaining wages and benefits starting day one and can expect guaranteed job placement after program completion, making it an exceptional option for secondary education.