Positively Charged

When Sarah Hailey graduates from Covington’s Alcovy High School and Newton College and Career Academy in 2023, she’ll have no doubt about her next steps.

“I’ve always known I didn’t want to go to college. I know electrical is what I like and what I want to do for a living,” says Sarah, who got a year-long head-start on that career by working for Inglett & Stubbs Electrical Construction.

Now she’s poised to continue her on-the-job education by participating in Inglett & Stubbs’ apprenticeship program.

“I’ve learned a lot in the 10 months I have been there,” Sarah says. ““I really like the people I work with, and I really like the work. The people I have met don’t think differently of me because I’m a female.”

Sarah says she grew up helping her father with projects around the house. After enrolling in instructor Sonny Braswell’s construction classes at Newton CCA, she discovered she enjoyed electrical.

“I learned I really like hands-on work,” Sarah remembers. “My construction career pathway really helped me know that going into the trades was what I wanted to do. My parents know that I’m doing something I love and am good at, so they’re excited for me.”

Sarah met an industry representative at a Women in Construction event who connected her to Inglett & Stubbs. She worked there full-time during the summer of 2022, then continued on a part-time basis through Newton CCA’s Work Based Learning program during the 2022-23 school year.

Sarah works in the company’s pre-fab shop, where she crafts lights, receptacles, and other electrical components for area job sites. Recently, as part of another Women in Construction event, she toured a site where she was able to see her work being installed.

While she’s just getting started in her career, Sarah already is an eager advocate for women in the skilled trades.

“A lot of folks think I can’t do it because I’m a girl, but I like showing up the guys and proving myself,” she says. “Some guys will be hesitant to do something and I’ll jump right in and get it done. Everyone is like ‘Wow, You can do everything!’ I want to show other girls that there’s a place for them in the trades.”