– By Charlotte Stevens, IBEW 1245 Staff Organizer
Left to Right: 1245 Business Rep. Jesse Green, Michael Griffin, Matthew Winn, and 1245 Assistant Business Manager Roberto Balistreri
IBEW Local 1245 is proud of our Fall 2025 Jairus Ayeta Line School Scholarship recipients Matthew Winn and Michael Griffin, who successfully completed their training at the JATC Training Center (VOLTA) in Oregon and are already putting their skills to work in the field.
Griffin and Winn graduated in November 2025, and the graduation ceremony was attended by Ayeta Scholarship Committee members Roberto Balistreri and Jesse Green.
Both graduates have quickly transitioned into the workforce and are currently employed with PG&E.
Griffin is working as an Electric Line Assistant on a division crew in the Sacramento region, where he is applying the skills he gained during training. “From climbing and rigging to safety protocols, the transition from the classroom to the field has been both challenging and rewarding. It feels great to finally be out there working alongside linemen and continuing to learn on the job,” Griffin said.
Griffin said the program provided a strong foundation as he began his career. “The training gave me the foundation, discipline, and confidence to step into a demanding trade with high responsibility. I take a lot of pride in being part of this industry,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful for IBEW Local 1245 and the Jairus Ayeta Scholarship for helping me take that first step.”
Winn is currently working out of the Antioch GC Yard and described completing the program as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of his life. “Completing school was one of the biggest challenges I’ve had to face, both physically and mentally. The experience showed me that I have far more grit and determination than I had given myself credit for,” Winn said.
He emphasized that the training helped shape his understanding of the profession. “Throughout this journey, I’ve learned that line work is a lifestyle, not just a job. It pushes you to recognize and remove the mental guardrails you’ve placed on yourself if you want to succeed. There’s something about being 55 feet in the air and having to trust your tools and judgment that builds a new level of confidence and accountability,” Winn said.
The Jairus Ayeta Line School Scholarship was established in 2020 in honor of Jarius Ayeta, an IBEW Local 1245 apprentice who was the victim of a fatal workplace tragedy. The all-expenses-paid scholarship covers full tuition and fees, lodging, a meal stipend, and tools, helping recipients take their first steps toward a career in the electrical industry.
Applications for the next scholarship cycle will be accepted March 1–31, 2026. Additional information is available at ibew1245.com/scholarships.