IEC Chesapeake's Grant Shmelzer to Speak at Nationwide Apprenticeship Forward Event
ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 25, 2017 (Newswire.com) - The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Chesapeake Executive Director Grant Shmelzer is set to lead a construction industry discussion group at Apprenticeship Forward, a nationwide event hosted by the National Skills Coalition in Washington, D.C., on May 4, 2017.
Apprenticeship Forward will bring together hundreds of leaders from the apprenticeship community. These leaders will come from industry associations and employers, unions and labor-management partnerships, community-based organizations, community colleges, high schools, and workforce boards – as well as federal and state policymakers from throughout the country. The high-caliber attendees will be the perfect base to develop solutions to apprenticeship challenges.
Apprenticeship Forward will focus on three critical challenges facing the expansion of apprenticeship in the U.S.:
- Increasing industry engagement across a range of sectors and firms
- Addressing equity issues while diversifying the apprenticeship pipeline
- Implementing new public policies that can support industries taking apprenticeship to scale.
“IEC applauds our partners at the National Skills Coalition for continuing to drive conversation forward on helping elevate the apprenticeship model of education and career skill development to the next level,” said IEC National CEO Spenser Villwock. “With growing skills gaps in the workforce and demands for highly skilled electrical and systems construction workers, the time is now to help align industry needs with motivated individuals seeking a lucrative career path. Grant Shmelzer of IEC Chesapeake will champion this conversation at an Apprenticeship Forward session, where we are hopeful to gain further traction in the evolution of apprenticeship in today’s world.”
Grant Shmelzer will serve the merit-shop voice in a construction industry interactive session, where a range of stakeholders will share their views of the recent successes and challenges in diversifying apprenticeships within the construction sector. Those learning about apprenticeship will be able to engage with established leaders in the construction industry.
For more information on Apprenticeship Forward, visit www.nationalskillscoalition.org/resources/events/apprenticeship-forward.
About IEC
Established in 1957, IEC is a trade association representing more than 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