It’s common knowledge that electrical contractors are under increasing pressure in today’s competitive business landscape—from labor shortages and an influx of new technology to the drive for greater efficiency and more. The...
Iowa State University Student Chapter took home first place in this year's Green Energy Challenge, making this the team's sixth consecutive Challenge win. Other finalist teams in the competition included Illinois Institute of...
NECA’s annual Student Chapter of the Year Award aims to recognizes students for their impact on others in their community, and encourages them to continue participating in service that goes beyond themselves, while also...
We have discussed the need for qualified workers for today’s technology-driven industries, but few companies actually take real action in creating the right local environment to foster and support a pool of potential local...
March is Women's History Month, which encourages people to become more familiar with the achievements and influence of women in today's society. As such, it's an ideal time to highlight the role of female electrical...
The latest report from USG Corp. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce confirm what contractors have known for a long time: It is difficult to find skilled labor. The "Q1 2019 USG Corporation & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial...
Julie scooped ice cream at Baskin-Robbins. Tim took orders and cleaned bathrooms at McDonald’s. Matt poured sodas and told kids his own age to get their feet off of the seats at a Cinemark. Hannah was a cashier at a...
I want to begin this month’s column with a few questions: What was the last conference or convention you attended? Was it affiliated with the National Electrical Contractors Association? One of the things I have enjoyed most...
In keeping with this month’s theme of workforce development, I was asked to write about electricians becoming estimators. No problem. Electrical estimating has been a great career for me. Anyone with field experience as an...
With more electricians currently exiting the workforce than joining, the electrical construction industry faces a well-documented shortage of skilled labor—to the tune of an estimated 85,000-plus unfilled positions by 2024,...
The construction industry as a whole faces a shortage in labor supply that is expected to get worse. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 13 percent overall increase in construction jobs through 2024 and a 5...
Many electrical contractors are plagued by a short-sighted view of workforce development, thinking that employee education and training falls outside their responsibility. They expect field electricians and office staff to...
There is no better time than the holiday season to celebrate the successes of 2018 as well as to look forward and plan for the new year to come. While our achievements have been many, there is still much work to be done to...
The electrical construction industry continually keeps pace with new technologies, shifts in the labor market and more. Professionals working in this space can stay abreast of the latest developments by learning about...
There are several reasons for today’s well-publicized labor shortages, according to Kevin Tighe, executive director, labor relations & workforce development, at the National Electrical Contractors Association. First,...
One of the major challenges for contractors today is developing their workforce to ensure a smooth transition as journeymen retire and a new generation of technicians takes over. In this boom economy, it has become especially...
Supporting electrical contractors who perform quality work across the United States is a critical role NECA plays. It’s what we’re all about. Building blocks like recruitment and training early in the process matter....
Millennials now outnumber all other generations in the workforce, out-populating baby boomers and Generation X. Ideally, their skills are going to drive construction and electrical contracting forward to meet the needs of...
Two more states have launched major workforce development initiatives to grow their talent, including increasing training and opportunities for construction jobs. Last week, “ Build Virginia ” was launched to connect workers...
The numbers are shocking and well-publicized. As fewer electricians enter the electrical contracting industry than exit it, a net deficit of skilled labor will potentially leave contracting firms struggling to fill an...
