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News

NECA Legislative Top Three 8/23/19: IRAPs: Make Your Voice Heard

Aug 22, 2019

1. Last Chance to Submit Your Comments on IRAPs

At midnight on Monday, August 26, 2019, the comment period for the Department of Labor’s proposed rule on Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs) closes. This rule, which was developed as a result of President Trump’s Executive Order 13801, would establish a parallel apprenticeship program that, if finalized, would allow third-party entities to create their own apprenticeship programs. While the construction industry has been preliminarily granted an exclusion from these IRAPs, which NECA and other industry groups are grateful for, many within the construction industry, including NECA continue to advocate for a stronger, permanent exclusion to ensure predicability for our industry.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA urges every member company, employee of member companies, NECA staff and all other affiliates to submit comments here before August 26th to encourage the DOL to solidify and expand the construction industry exemption from the implementation of Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs. Act Now!

2. NECA Western PA Chapter Discusses Need for Addressing Labor Shortage

One of NECA’s top priorities has been addressing the need to build the next generation of skilled electricians. This important topic was recently brought to national attention in an article in Forbes magazine where Joelle Salerno, the Government Affairs Director for NECA’s Western PA Chapter, was quoted on the importance of letting students know early about the career options available in the skilled trades.

NECA Look Ahead: The construction industry is already experiencing an unprecedented shortage of skilled labor in this nation. In the electrical construction industry alone, Baby Boomers make up about 70 percent of our supervision (Foremen, General Foremen, Superintendents, Estimators, Project Managers, and Owners). Apprenticeship graduates go on to become journeyman electricians as well as project managers, contractors, engineers, training directors and college graduates. Major construction projects are coming up that will be difficult to staff, and this shortage must be addressed. Click here to read the full article.

3. Register Today for the NECA NextGen Fly-In—Capped at 25 Attendees! 

If YOU or someone in your company are an emerging leader ready to advocate for the electrical contracting industry, join us in Washington, D.C. on October 16-17, 2019 for the NECA NextGen Fly-In! This annual meeting is the premiere legislative conference for the next generation of electrical contractors and emerging company leaders to learn about the top issues affecting the industry and to meet the leaders who are working to provide real solutions.

NECA’s Look Ahead: This conference is about policy, not partisanship. Accordingly, leading members from both sides of the political aisle will be on hand to brief participants on the latest happenings on Capitol Hill and to engage in robust policy discussions to ensure that YOUR voice is heard during the policy making process. Register Today!