IEC Battles Labor Shortage and Skilled Worker Stigma
ALEXANDRIA, VA, November 7, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Over 1,300 electrical and systems contractors and suppliers converged on San Antonio, TX, for IEC Con 2016, October 26-29. IEC Con 2016 featured 25 standing room only education sessions, within 4 unique tracks, presented by industry experts; an interactive Expo featuring over 80 vendors; networking opportunities; and more.
“IEC Con 2016 Conduit to Profit” began with this year’s Keynote General Session, “(Re)Defining the Goal,” presented by Dr. Kevin Fleming, CEO of Telos Educational Services. The session deconstructed the college-for-all philosophy and explored the misalignment between education and our current workforce. Dr. Fleming explained through trends and studies that the current job market is oversaturated with college graduates and that there is a growing need for individuals with technical skills gained through apprenticeships and 2-year degrees. This message spoke to IEC and its membership, due to IEC’s steadfast belief in the apprenticeship model and our assertive actions to promote it.
"By all accounts, IEC Con16 was a tremendous success," stated Spenser Villwock, IEC National EVP/CEO. "Some of the best contractors and industry professionals from around the country embarked into San Antonio for a week of enrichment and investment in their businesses. This past week of activities, including the National Apprentice of the Year competition, is what many attendees have said was the best IEC National Convention ever. We are grateful to our Premier Convention Sponsor, The Home Depot, and all of our supporters and members for making this year's IEC Convention truly epic!"
Spenser Villwock, IEC National EVP/CEO
Emphasizing IEC’s commitment to apprenticeship, IEC Con 2016 closed out with the announcement of the IEC National Apprentice of the Year Competition winners at the President's Reception & Awards Gala. The 3-day competition placed the top graduates from 26 IEC chapter apprentice training programs across the country in a head-to-head competition to discover the top electrical and systems contracting apprentice in the U.S. In an extremely close competition, IEC Rocky Mountain apprentice Scott Sorensen of Eckstine Electric edged out the rest and was recognized as the IEC National Apprentice of the Year.
As IEC Con continues to grow so will its value. Join us for a special IEC Con 17 in Phoenix, AZ, as IEC celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Established in 1957, IEC is a trade association representing nearly 3,000 members with 50 chapters nationwide. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, IEC is the nation's premier trade association representing America's independent electrical and systems contractors. IEC National aggressively works with the industry to establish a competitive environment for the merit shop – a philosophy that promotes the concept of free enterprise, open competition, and economic opportunity for all.
# # #
Source: Independent Electrical Contractors