Electrical Contracting Powered by the NJIEC

At the heart of New Jersey's electrical industry is a company built on family, dedication, and a commitment to quality training—Encore Electric. Led by third-generation electrician Dylan Wagner, Encore Electric is a shining example of how legacy and innovation go hand-in-hand, especially when paired with the training powerhouse that is the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors (NJIEC).

Dylan’s roots in the trade run deep. “My grandfather was an electrical contractor running a company out of his garage,” Dylan shares. He goes on to say that his father “took over the business, and I remember being five years old, running around the warehouse, playing with wire nuts and connectors. I’ve been in this world for as long as I can remember.”

After discovering the NJIEC’s online apprenticeship program, Dylan enrolled and began building his skills through hands-on learning and expert guidance. For him, entering the trade wasn't just a career choice—it was a calling. His experience at the NJIEC has made Dylan a firm believer in the value of structured education. “A lot of what my father learned, he learned from my grandfather. And a lot of what I’ve learned, I learned from my father. But the IEC added another layer of expertise,” he explains.

Robert, another valued member of the Encore Electric team and a graduate of the IEC’s four-year program, echoes this sentiment.

“The instructors are highly specialized. In year one, for example, the focus is on residential work, and we had instructors who really knew their stuff,” Robert says.

Thanks to their membership in NJIEC, Encore Electric has gained access to a talent pipeline filled with driven and skilled apprentices. One of their newest team members, James, is currently a first-year IEC student.

“The program’s been great,” James says. “My instructor, Mark, has over 30 years of experience. I especially love the labs—we get to take what we learn in lectures and apply it hands-on. Plus, I’ve built solid connections with other students.”

The collaboration between Encore Electric and the NJIEC is already paying off—not just for the company, but for the next generation of electricians.

“It’s been a really cool experience to bring new talent into our team through our relationship with the school,” Dylan says. “I’m definitely looking forward to hiring more third-year, fourth-year, and graduate apprentices from the IEC program. I know they’ll come in with the right education and mindset to succeed.”

From grandfather to grandson, and from apprentice to professional, Encore Electric is lighting the way for what a future in the trades can look like—powered by the NJIEC as a trusted partner every step of the journey.