A Day in the Life of an Electrical Foreman

Have you ever wondered about becoming a foreman? Interstates’ Caleb LaFour, recent recipient of the Safety Star Award from GEAPS, answers questions below about his career path and what you might expect in the daily work life of an electrical foreman.

What is your role at Interstates?

I am a foreman for Interstates as part of our national traveling team.

What is your educational background?

While I have no formal training from a trade school, my education stems from years of on-the-job experience.

What made you want to pursue being an electrician?

In high school, I worked at a local hardware store in my hometown where I met many tradespeople. A retired electrician frequented the store and piqued my interest by telling me of his long career as an electrician. A few years and several jobs later, I tried my hand as an electrician and fell in love with the trade, and I haven't looked back since.

What is your typical day like?

My day starts with a safety evaluation of the job site, completing pre-job paperwork, and stretching with the crew. I then give my crew their tasks and make sure they have what they need to have a successful and productive workday. The rest of the day is filled with meetings with clients and other Interstates leaders. I periodically check on the crew throughout the day. When I run smaller crews, sometimes I find myself in the field assisting with various tasks. As the day ends, we have a short but important meeting about the materials we need, production, and what can be done the following day to be productive.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging thing about my job is finding a separation between work and home life. When I first entered my current role, it was hard to leave work at work, and sometimes I ended up bringing it home with me. I have since gotten better at being more present in each aspect, but I do sometime catch myself letting my work leak over into my home life.

What do you find rewarding about your job?

It's very rewarding to be at the end of the project and see the finished product. To see essentially nothing transform into a product that you are proud of is an incredible feeling.

What personality traits are suited for life as an electrical foreman?

I would say patience and empathy are important traits for an electrician. It is a foreman’s job to look after his or her crew, and you also need the skills to be a teacher and a mentor.

What advice would you give someone considering a career as an electrician?

My advice would be to go and try it out. Companies are always looking for hard-working, competent people, and electricians are always in demand. If you're someone who likes to figure out why and how things work, then becoming an electrician may be right for you. And I promise that when you are able to complete a task, you will have a feeling of accomplishment that no one will be able to take away.

You were recently the recipient of the Safety Star Award from GEAPS. This program recognizes employees who play a part in building a safety culture in their organization. How does it feel to have your accomplishments and commitment to safety recognized?

It feels great to be the recipient of this award, and I am honored to be chosen. At Interstates, you don’t have the feeling like you are slipping through the cracks. Every success and accomplishment is noticed. At the end of the day, all I can do is thank the leaders above me for giving me countless opportunities and also my crew for living out the Interstates safety culture to make this all possible.

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