Student Spotlight: Iesha Whylie

Iesha Whylie spent her teen and young adult years working alongside electronic systems technicians, often assisting as a technician on the job. With an interest in the skilled trades, Iesha chose to enroll in Lincoln Tech’s electrical systems program at the school’s Marietta campus. There, she experienced a personalized curriculum intended to provide all the necessary resources and equipment training relevant to her desired career in preparation for graduation and entry into the workforce through partnerships with companies like Johnson Controls.

Upon graduation, Iesha accepted a role as an electronic systems technician installer at Johnson Controls. Because of the partnership between Johnson Controls and Lincoln Tech, Iesha was able to receive hands-on, personalized training for Johnson Controls equipment, creating a smooth transition from technical school to a rewarding career.

“Everything I learned at Lincoln Tech is everything I do every single day,” Iesha shared. “At Lincoln Tech, we practice the theory and then Johnson Controls is the physical manifestation of the theory taught, making it a full circle experience.”

Through career opportunities, customized curriculum and equipment donations, Johnson Controls and Lincoln Tech are addressing the critical skills gap in technical careers. Recruiting more women to these opportunities is also critical for overcoming the skilled labor shortage.

For women like Iesha, working in a male-dominated industry can be an empowering and rewarding experience. As Iesha observed, “When I do my job well, both the men and women in the field want to step up to the plate, so no one gets left behind.”

But Iesha’s goal is to help get even more women in the field. As new talent continues to emerge, women have a tremendous opportunity to make an impact in the skilled trades industry. For Iesha, this female-focused recruiting starts with schools attracting women just as much as men, overcoming the traditional perspective of seeing only men in trades.

“We live in a different world today,” Iesha commented. “Things aren’t done the same anymore. The minute you say you can, you’re going to get to work and anything is possible.”

Johnson Controls is leading the charge to bridge the gender gap in trades. Initiatives such as the “Coolest Women in the World” networking event at the annual AHR Expo in addition to partnerships with institutions like Lincoln Tech are just a few steps we are taking to empower, educate and advance women in the technical workforce.