In May 2024, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED), and National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA) signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU). According to a NECA press release, the agreement “recognizes the necessity of a collaborative approach to address the challenges and opportunities of their respective but interconnected industries.”
Representatives from the four organizations—NECA CEO David Long, NAED president and CEO Wes Smith, NEMA president and CEO Debra Phillips, and NEMRA president and CEO Jim Johnson—signed the MOU at the conclusion of a panel discussion at the NAED National Meeting in Austin, Texas on May 22.
From left: NAED president and CEO Wes Smith, NECA CEO David Long, NEMRA president and CEO Jim Johnson, and NEMA president and CEO Debra Phillips
According to Long, this historic cross-industry partnership will “promote and strengthen the electrical industry, from the manufacturing of tools and technology to the installation and operation of those resources.”
The MOU establishes a strategy to educate and develop a workforce who “will usher society into a more connected, digitized future. The demand is there, but the sufficient amount people to manufacture, distribute, and install electrical products is not,” according to the NECA press release.
The agreement is accompanied by an annual “Work Plan.” The 2024 Work Plan focuses on issues around developing the electrical industry workforce of the future.
“This collaborative effort is more than just a partnership; it’s a strategic imperative to ensure the strength and sustainability of our industry,” Long said. “As we stand alongside NEMA, NAED and NEMRA, we are not only preparing to meet the increased demand for electrical infrastructure but are also taking significant steps towards building a resilient, skilled workforce that can propel us into a future where electrification is at the forefront. This MOU is a milestone in our journey to innovate and lead in an all-electric economy, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for developing our workforce through shared initiatives and resources.”
The MOU was signed at the end of a panel discussion at the NAED National Meeting in Austin, Texas, on May 22, 2024.
About The Author
Colleen Beaty
Senior EditorColleen Beaty is senior editor at ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine, where she has worked since 2020. She has been writing about topics such as outside line work, wildlife and habitat conservation for more than 18 years. In her role with ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, she primarily works with the editorial team to fine-tune stories for the magazines and curate content for ECmag.com. She can also be found hosting ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR's webinars. She holds a BS in wildlife conservation from the University of Delaware.
Colleen is fueled by tea (especially chai), and can often be found cross-stitching or birding in her spare time (but not both at once).
Reach her on LinkedIn or at [email protected].