Richard Sharer is proving just how much it paid off to launch a career in the trades at Grand Canyon University.
Since his 2022 completion of the Pre-Apprenticeship for Electricians pathway, which included an inaugural group of 39 participants, Sharer has worked on a project that has become noticed across the U.S.
And he was recently named 2026 Outstanding Apprentice of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 640. He works at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company with Rosendin Electric and the Phoenix Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Apprenticeship Program.
“Richard’s hard work, determination, and commitment to excellence truly stood out. This honor reflects the countless hours of dedication he’s put into his craft, and we couldn’t be more proud to recognize him,” the Phoenix JATC announced on its website.
His skills will be tested against 25 apprentices from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas in the district contest at the end of March.
“I was really excited about it. I have worked hard at the apprenticeship and tried to be involved,” Sharer said. “A lot of it is based on overall grade point average, work reports, field evaluations and longevity at the contractor.”
The electricians’ pathway was the initial offering in the GCU Center for Workforce Development, which has expanded to other trades in manufacturing and construction. Sharer is one of 591 who have completed the electricians’ pathway, which prepares participants for apprenticeships with on-campus courses and hands-on sessions.
“GCU was the springboard to get the apprenticeship and where I am now,” Sharer said.
“I had gotten a bachelor’s degree in political science at Arizona State, but nothing was panning out as intended. I wanted work with my hands,” he said. “I saw an ad for GCU’s new program, and it seemed like a good opportunity.”
He said he learned about the industry and the foundations of the trade and was connected to the union. He takes night courses through JATC’s apprenticeship program and was assigned to work with Rosendin at TSMC.
“It is really exciting to work (at TSMC). I grew up in the north valley, and that area was nothing but desert. It’s neat to see it go from a dirt lot to all the sudden producing chips and to be part of a job site that is visible to the entire nation,” he said. “It truly is a massive job site.”
The complex in north Phoenix is TSMC’s first advanced U.S. semiconductor manufacturing site with the largest foreign direct investment ($165 billion) in a greenfield project in American history, according to the company website. Plans in Arizona include six semiconductor wafer fabs, two advanced packaging facilities and a research and development center.
Sharer said he is primarily working on installation of water purification and chemical distribution systems.
In the fourth and final year of his apprenticeship, the married 29-year-old with a child on the way is looking forward to becoming a journeyman.
“There is a colorful mix of people in the trades from every walk of life. I didn’t expect so many young individuals with college degrees. But in the trades, the opportunities are unlimited,” he said.
He’s also come back to GCU’s campus to share information with participants in the pathway, now called the Undergraduate Certificate for Electricians.
“I tell them just the reality of what they are getting into. It felt like I was discovering things day to day,” he said. “The electrical industry every day feels like a new challenge. You can get as complicated as you want. It’s hard work and requires dedication, but it’s well worth it.”
Shelly Seitz, director of GCU Center for Workforce Development, said she appreciates that Sharer pours back into participants.
“He regularly comes back to class to share his insights, his experiences, and encourages students in their electrician career choice,” she said. “He always had a great work ethic, evident by him being chosen as apprentice of the year, and I’m thrilled for him to have been chosen to represent Arizona. Truly, I’m not surprised. He is very deserving.”
Grand Canyon University senior writer Mike Kilen can be reached at [email protected]
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