Sept. 30 Town Hall Runs During Largest Electrical Construction Event, Sept. 29-Oct. 2 in Philadelphia
BETHESDA, MD — The 2018 National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Convention & Trade Show will feature the latest incentives to reduce the industry’s critical skilled workforce shortage—a systemic problem across all building trades.
The convention’s first Town Hall meeting on the growing electrician shortage to meet current and future building demands and the latest apprentice incentives runs on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 11:30 a.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Presenters include NECA President David Long, IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson and NECA CEO John M. Grau. The event runs during an expanded Apprentice Appreciation Day sponsored by the NECA Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter in partnership with the Philadelphia region’s premier Local Joint Apprentice and Training Committees (JATC).
“Our $160 billion industry offers rewarding, high-paying careers to meet future building demands with paid on-the-job training and no college debt,” said NECA President David Long, president, Miller Electric Co., Jacksonville, Florida, who started his career as a construction wireman in the mid-1970s.
As millennials increasingly show an interest in skilled trades, NECA targets high school students seeking college alternatives, former military personnel and related tradespeople. Electrical apprentices currently commit to a five-year, paid program with a guaranteed job upon completion.
NECA 2018 offers the largest audience of decision makers with approximately 300 exhibiting companies demonstrating the latest technology, superior education and training. Exhibitors will showcase thousands of solutions that contractors can use on the job, in the shop and in the office. Sixty-eight percent of attendees purchase new products, and 66 percent do not attend any other trade show.
Featured special events and speakers include: A free trade show featuring approximately 300 exhibitors; TECHTOPIA Pavilion with 18 brief TECH Talks featuring disruptive technology/digital media; Annual ELECTRI International Green Energy Challenge: Sept. 29: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.; 18 free technical workshops; More free education: Lighting and Controls Theater, Product Presentation Theater; Apprentice Appreciation Day: Sept. 30: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Keller Rinaudo, founder/CEO of Zipline: Sept. 30, 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; Ex-FBI special agent Christopher Tarbell & Hector Monsegur: Oct. 1, 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; Former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Dorenbos: Oct. 2, 1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.; 2018 Showstopper Showcase Product Awards: Electrical Contractor magazine; Women in NECA (WIN) Roundtable: Oct. 1, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Six educational tracks, including new live streaming for selected courses; NEXT Academy preconvention leadership workshop; Closing Celebration: Rock band Foreigner, Oct. 2.
NECA 2018 is open to all electrical professionals, including nonmembers. Free trade show admission: go to Attendee Registration and use code NECA18.
