IEC ED Niel Dawson Update – May 1st
Sometimes we are forced into uncomfortable situations that we must adapt, and that certainly has been the case with CV19! When faced with these situations, we always have two choices – to adapt or to stay firmly entrenched. In our present situation, we’ve had little choice but to adapt. And sometimes when we adapt, we realize that the new situation is not all that bad, and in fact, it may be preferred. During this time, we’ve all had some time to reflect upon the choices we have made, and what choices we’ll make in the future based upon what we know now. For me, I’m glad that I’ve made the choices to travel to different countries and parts of the US when I did. I also know, that when I have the opportunity to travel again, I’ll take it.
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
In speaking both with local and national IEC contractors, work levels still continue to hold up. There have been minor job closures, but members continue to remain on job sites. The hardest hit have been residential service contractors, and yet other contractors have seen an increase in work such as schools, health care facilities and those supporting essential services such as grocery stores and chemical plants. The biggest theme we have heard center around postponement of jobs that have been awarded, but not yet started. Please keep us informed as you run into issues – niel.dawson@iecatlantaga.org
SAFETY RESOURCES
May 7th Panel Discusion on the Latest CV19 Workplace Safety & Health Updates – Join a panel of safey experts as they share their knowledge and answer your questions – Register Now
IEC National and the IEC Safety Committee have developed operational policy templates to address COVID-19. Thank you to Harvey Hammock for his work on these policies.
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM UPDATES
IEC Atlanta will begin a “soft” re-opening of classes to help tutor apprentices in math and test prep beginning in mid-May. Apprentices will be required to register for the tutoring sessions and strict safety protocols will be adhered to. A motor controls class will also be completed during May.
As a way to state connected to apprentices, we are now issuing a monthly newsletter to apprentices and IEC staff are available virtually at the beginning of each class and hold regularly open forum sessions for apprentices to ask questions.
Virtual labs are being rolled out every week for our instructors to use in the online apprenticeship classes – check out one of these labs now.
Fall Atlanta 1st year class application deadline is June 12th. Your apprentices should be applying online now
Fall Georgia 1st year class application deadline is July 10th. Your apprentices should be applying online now
The Board of Directors and A&T Committee are working on an INSTALLERS Training Program for workers that may not be ready for the full apprenticeship program but you would like them to get training beyond the helper status. If you are interesting on helping design this new program, please contact Todd Hawkins at todd.hawkins@iecatlantaga.org
WIRE-OFF COMPETITION TO BE HELD JUNE 1ST & 3RD
The annual wire-off competition will be held at the IEC Training Center with only competitors and judges onsite. However, the event will be held VIA Facebook Live! If you don’t follow us on Facebook, do so now! Competitors will be announced shortly.
Help Install Occupancy Sensors at IEC
Do you have workers furloughed with no work to perform? If so, IEC is upgrading our facility for greater sanitary maintenance by installing occupancy sensors in all classrooms. If you would like to donate the time of several employees, please contact Todd Hawkins at todd.hawkins@iecatlantaga.org
IEC Atlanta/Georgia’s Instructor Mike Gunter 1st to Receive Level III Certification!
We are very proud of Mike Gunter to achieve the very 1st and ONLY IEC National Level III Instructor Certification! This is a huge accomplishment and comes with many hours of work and selfless dedication on Mike’s part. Please help us congratulate Mike – mwgestimate@bellsouth.net
CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES
Last Friday nearly 50 contractors attended our live 4-hour 2020 NEC Code Changes seminar that was free to all IEC contractors as an extra value during these times! In fact, it was so popular that we have already scheduled Part 2 (Chapters 4 thru 8) for May 15th from 8am – Noon. This is good for Georgia and Alabama CEUs and will be live. Instructor, Mike Gunter. Register here
We are also now offering live Code by the Article classes beginning May 5th, 4:00pm – 8:00pm. Instructed by Terry Rogers, May 5th will be Article 310, Pt. 1 – Register Here
NFPA 70e Electrical Safety, Live – Saturday, May 9th – Register Here
May 12th will cover Article 310, Pt. 2 with Terry Rogers – Register Here
Not wanting live, but pre-recorded? We have 5 on demand course available – See them all
We anticipate returning to onsite CEU classes beginning in June based upon CDC guidance and the Board of Director’s approval.
IEC PARTNER FEDERATED INSURANCE ANNOUNCES COVID-19 CLIENT RELIEFT CREDIT
Federated’s COVID-19 Client Relief Credit will provide a 15% credit based on Business Auto premium, Auto Dealer/Garage Coverage Part premium, and Businessowners Policy (BOP) premium from March 15 to June 15. Policies must be in force at the time relief credit is applied. These actions are subject to regulatory approval. This is another benefit of IEC membership.
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS HAVE 2ND HIGHEST SUICIDE RATE!
In this week’s IEC webinar, author Brent Darnell talked about both caring for yourself and your employees, and how you can go about it. Below are some highlights of his presentation – Click here for a detailed overview of his presentation.
1) Take care of your bodies, which means
– Eating Healthy (cut down on sugar and carbs)
– Exercise Regularly (20 minutes per day minimum)
– Get 8 hours of sleep
– Avoid alcohol and drugs
2) Manage Stress
– Spend time with family and friends
– Meditate or listen to calming music
– Find a hobby or other enjoyable activity
– Spend time in nature – walk, run, garden, camp
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800-273-8255
WORKFORCE NEEDS
IEC will hold virtual job fairs in Augusta, Savannah and Columbus beginning in May. Contractors may register for the job fairs here – Augusta, May 12 – Columbus, May 14 – Savannah, May 14
We have approximately 12 apprentices currently available for hire. Please continue to let us know your hiring needs, as well as loan/borrow requests – julie.gunter@iecatlantaga.org
We continue to have new apprentices apply for the apprenticeship program daily. If you are hiring, please contact Julie. Last week we had 4 members hire 5 new apprentices. And beginning in May, we our launching our newest recruitment campaign for new apprentices – POWERMYJOB.COM
OFFICE RE-OPENING PLAN
With the Shelter-In-Place order being lifted April 30th, many offices will now begin to reopen, but you need to have a plan in place. To help guide you through this process, IEC Partner Member Townsend and Kilpatrick have prepared an excellent checklist that the IEC is now utilizing.
UPCOMING DATES
July 10th – IEC Apprenticeship Graduation, Marriott Stone Mountain – Register
IEC National Awards Submission – Submission Deadline, July 15th
IEC Natiional Convention – New Orleans – October 26-30
We still have a limited quantity of N95 masks available for our contractor members, but if you need to order any type of masks or hand sanitizer, contact IEC Partner Member Better Safe Now and be sure to use IEC discount code 4FAM to get your 15% discount. Or call William Kim at 678-608-2754.
Please stay safe,
