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Wiseman Award Recognizes Electrician’s Exceptional Promise
Sabrina Turner, 29, was presented with the Shirley McVay Wiseman Award for Exceptional Promise during last month’s International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, Fla.
Named after the former NAHB president and HBI trustee, the award is presented annually to a female Job Corps graduate who has overcome significant challenges to demonstrate the potential for outstanding success in the residential construction industry.
Wiseman, who presented the award and a $1,000 check from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Company, called Turner “living proof” of the effectiveness of Job Corps. “She wanted to make a better life for her children and put her trust in Job Corps and HBI to help her do it,” Wiseman said.
As a student at the Golconda Job Corps Center in Illinois, Turner excelled in John Gaddis’ electrical class and was active in extra-curricular Job Corps activities as captain of the softball team and a volunteer for the Special Olympics. She soon became a mentor to other students and served as a staff assistant. For her efforts, Turner was named the HBI Student of the Month, as well as the overall Student of the Month for Golconda’s Vocational Department.
After graduation, Turner started an electrical apprenticeship at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and became a journeyman electrician earning $33.75 an hour.
Working in the industry, Turner gained the confidence to go out on her own and in 2005 established Chicago-based Turner Installations. Enjoying early success, Turner was able to hire employees to work with her and is in the process of starting a branch of her company in Ohio.
“From the beginning, Sabrina excelled in her trade and from then on she rose to every challenge I presented her,” said HBI electrical instructor John Gaddis. “She has overcome many obstacles to achieve her goals and is most worthy of this award.”
For more information, e-mail Maria McIntyre at HBI, or call her at 800-795-7955 x8912.
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