JOIN
OUR
TEAM

X

READY TO CONNECT?

Complete the form below and a member of our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch. Ready to apply? Complete an official application.

04.23.2020

Faces of Faith Technologies | Meet Randy, Electrical Apprentice

At Faith Technologies, we have some amazing employees who make our culture unique. The Faces of Faith Technologies series aims to highlight the talented individuals who work with us. Each month, we’ll introduce you to several of these individuals so you can get to know the ‘Faces of Faith Technologies.’ We recently talked to Randy Bales, an athletic trainer turned electrical apprentice. Here’s what he had to say:

What led you to work for Faith Technologies?

After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in athletic training from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas, I entered the workforce and built a successful career. I had an unforgettable experience working on the USA Judo team for the 2010 and 2011 World Championships in Tokyo and Paris, but an athletic training position doesn’t lend itself to free time on weeknights and weekends. My family was growing up in front of me, and I knew I wanted to have more time to be a part of that journey. That led me to work for an investment management company for about 4 years, until realizing the career path wasn’t one that fit my goals.

My brother-in-law’s cousin is a technical training consultant with Faith; he recommended I pursue the apprenticeship program, knowing I like to work with my hands and am mechanically inclined. While moving from Colorado back to Kansas City was a major transition for our family, it was the best way to position ourselves for success. Faith has been supportive throughout the whole process, and I’m looking forward to my future here.

What does your position entail?

I currently prepare strut lighting to be shipped to job sites. This process starts with placing the lighting and strut on a table and cutting electrical wire to length. We then integrate the wire into the strut and tighten the fasteners throughout the frame. We install the strut cover, and the assembly is prepared for shipment.

It’s satisfying because I’m able to see components come together to create the assembly, which helps me understand the basics of electrical work before I enter the field. I’m committed to learning my craft so I can become a top-notch electrician.

Nature 1

What hobbies and activities do you have outside of work (prior to COVID-19)?

When we lived in Colorado, our family traveled regularly to local mountainsides to hike and explore, but like most families, we enjoy downtime as well with movies and time at home. My biggest passion is photographing landscapes; living in Colorado made this an easy passion to pursue with the number of locations nearby that were perfect for this type of picture. Bear Lake located in Rocky Mountain National Park just outside of Estes Park and Crested Butte were locations in Colorado that I visited frequently to capture the right shot.

Some shots took hours to wait for every aspect to line up, but the images I produced from those sessions were worth the time spent. I’ve found that these photos are a great way to escape even when stuck indoors, especially relevant to the current stay-at-home situation. Being able to capture those moments in time where every aspect was perfect drives me to continue improving my skills.

Are there any accomplishments, inside or outside of work, that you’d like to share?

In order to practice athletic training professionally, I had to pass the challenging NATABOC certification exam.  I am very proud to have passed this exam.  When I was working in finance, I acquired my Series 6 and 63 licenses. Series 6 is a securities license which allows you to sell mutual funds, variable annuities and insurance, and Series 63 enables the holder to solicit orders for any type of security in a specific state. The exams were difficult to pass, so knowing I achieved this with minimal finance experience remains one of my major professional accomplishments.

Personally, our recent move was a significant accomplishment for our family. Moving across the country was and remains a challenge for all of us, but we’re focusing on the positive future that the transition will bring.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Within five years I anticipate having my journeyman’s license and working in the field to continue growing as a professional. Working for Faith has been a rewarding experience, and it’s satisfying to know I’m setting a good example for my children. There are so many in the workforce who settle into careers that aren’t right for them, just because it’s convenient, and it’s important for me to pass on the lesson to my children that no matter where you are in life, there’s always time to change your path.