IECRM Monthly E-News: Get Plugged In!

We are very excited to be “plugging back in” this month as we joyfully welcome students back IN CLASS at our Northglenn, Ft. Collins, and Parker campuses! Last week, more than 1,300 students attended our 40th Anniversary celebrations that included a back-to-school party complete with hot dogs, drinks, cake, and ice cream, and an expo to learn about the latest innovations, products, and services from 15 industry partners.

Next, we prepare to welcome electrical contractors, industry partners, and our colleagues from across the country to Colorado for the IEC National Convention, October 6-9, 2021, with our own Janet Martin (Bret’s Electric) at the helm as the IEC National President. There is no reason not to take a day or the whole week to experience the content and conversation that this IEC National event has to offer you and your employees.

This month’s eNews edition has everything you need to know about what’s ahead in August and the remainder of the year. I am going to take a step back to celebrate an important milestone in our chapter history.

IEC Rocky Mountain was founded in Denver in 1981 – 40 years ago – using the IEC National model, as a group of independent, “merit shop philosophy” contractors interested in working together to provide education to electrical apprentices. From its inception as a chapter, IEC Rocky Mountain has been committed to providing quality education and services through teamwork, partnership, and networking to build relationships in the industry. Our founders were entrepreneurial, fiercely independent, and recognized the efficiency in training together.

This was important then because we knew we were helping to provide a trained workforce to the electrical industry. It is equally important now, maybe even more so, as those original founders crafted a vision that sustains us for the future.

Over the six and a half years I have served the association, I’ve heard stories of those earlier days – at least as far back as nearly 30 years ago – when IECRM was located in a garage space near the highway. Carl Martin from Carlton Electric remembers being a first-year apprentice in that space and having conversations about whether to open the garage door so they could breathe through the heat or keep the garage door closed so they could hear the instructor over the traffic sounds coming from I-25!

The stories we tell decades into the future will include the renovation of an old bowling alley turned into a fresh and innovative facility for training the next generation electrician and the transition into the use of technology platforms for systems automation, low voltage solutions, and energy benchmarking standards. We will also look back and remember that year we all had to be ONLINE for classes!!!

We know we’ve made a difference throughout our history because IECRM Alumni, like Carl and so many others, have gone on to be our graduates, instructors, business owners, board members, advocates, and community leaders.

Over the last forty years, we have:

Expanded benefits and services to members through the association,
Created a robust borrowed worker program for companies to assist one another through projects,
Made it through economic downturns and transitions in the association and the industry; and most recently a historic pandemic!
And, all along the way educated apprentices, engaged members and partners in the industry to join with us, share with us and support us while advocating for the entire electrical industry.

We experienced tremendous growth over those years from a small group of students in a garage, to educating 570 apprentices 10 years ago, to a record enrollment of more than 2100 apprentices last fall.

We now offer college credit through Emily Griffith Technical College, and the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s degree from CSU Global, for those who chose to continue their education in the industry.
Time and again, we’ve shown a penchant for excellence through receipt of national awards, community recognition, a lower attrition rate, membership services, and apprentice growth.
Technology continues to transform the industry and open new demands and possibilities; we must be attuned to those impacts for our contractor members and their apprentices and what that means for content and delivery of instruction; and services to our members.

We have always been an organization that treats each other like family. Even though there is tough competition for business and employees, the members in this industry are there for each other because the greater whole of the industry is good for everybody.

IECRM members work hard and set high expectations for safety in our workplaces as we want everyone to return home safely to their families; and we take the utmost pride in the skilled craftsmanship and artistry of this industry.

Looking ahead, what tools, trends, services, disruptive technologies, economic challenges, and business changes do you see coming? How will that impact what we deliver and the way we deliver it? Who is not included in our community that needs to be? What new opportunities await us? As a member and investor in this future, let me know what you envision.

We are proud to be the best provider of education for the electrical industry serving both our apprentice and licensed electrician community through in-class and online training. We always aspire to be a “go-to resource” with access to the best “experts in the industry.”

Thank you for being part of IECRM in 2021 to celebrate turning 40 – our RUBY anniversary – and for being with us as we journey forward toward the next 40 years!

See you at the IEC Convention in Denver in October to further celebrate this milestone and welcome our IEC family from across the country to Colorado!

Marilyn Akers Stansbury

IECRM CEO

IECRM MEMBER NEWS

40th Anniversary Party, Expo & Open House Event Recap

The Expo spanned across 4 days (Monday - Thursday, July 26-29) as we welcomed our 2021-22 students to school in style with food, drinks, cupcakes, prizes, and 15 local and national Industry Partners that showcased the latest products, tools, technology, services, and special offers that support the electrical industry.

On Thursday, July 29, new and longtime IECRM members came out to join in on the fun, network in person, and celebrate IECRM’s 40th Anniversary with a ceremonial cake cutting and a special VIP Lounge with exclusive prizes, snacks, and a full-service bar. READ MORE

Click here to see more photos of the 40th Anniversary, Expo & Open House event.

IECRM Member Forum: Are You Ready for an Adventure?

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

IEC Convention Questions - Everything you Need to Know to Experience the Best Thing Happening in Colorado this October!

Join Marilyn Stansbury and other IECRM Members and Partners for the highlights, Q&A, and fun facts of attending the IEC National Convention. IEC Rocky Mountain is part of the host committee bringing this fabulous adventure to Colorado. READ MORE

Join the IECRM Emerging Leaders Training Program in its 10th Year

The deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, August 16.

Would you like to sharpen your leadership skills? Or do you have someone in mind who would thrive in a leadership role, given the right training, tools, and skills?

IECRM Electrical Apprentice Training LATE START Opportunity for 1st-Year Apprentices

In addition to an August start, IECRM has a LATE START program for First-Year Students ONLY that begins in October. Enrollment for the Late Start program opens in mid-September of each year and will close the last Friday in September or when all seats are filled. READ MORE

Thursday, September 2

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sponsor the event

For the IECRM end of session 2021 Legislative Report click here.

Join IECRM and Building Jobs 4 Colorado in further building our advocacy platform for business and industry in Colorado.

Please like, share, and follow BJ4C on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Building-Jobs-4-Colorado-730106794358610

Twitter: Follow @bj4_co

The Northglenn People's Choice Award is Now Open for Voting!

Will you Vote for IECRM?

Over the last year, IECRM was a rapid testing site for COVID in partnership with both the City of Northglenn and a private healthcare provider. We continue to work closely with the food bank across the street, partner with the local police department on "neighborhood watch" efforts, and with our students coming back to school IECRM is bringing in more local business into the community. Additionally, IECRM continues to grow and support workforce development while focusing on being THE preferred provider of electrical apprenticeship training in Colorado.

Use this link to vote: www.northglenn.org/businessvote

Calling Construction Industry Mentors for the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Career Development Mentoring Program.

This is a great way to engage with students and take action towards youth workforce development. READ MORE

The family of James Sharp is requesting his electrical industry friends attend a memorial service for him.

Saturday, August 7, 2021, 10 AM

Waterstone Community Church in Littleton Colorado

The family is establishing a memorial scholarship fund for training the next-generation electrician.

Click here to read the full obituary for James Sharp

SAVE THE DATES: UPCOMING EVENTS

IECRM Member Luncheon

Tuesday, September 14

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

IECRM Northglenn

All IECRM Members are invited to attend in-person to network and learn more about your member benefits. Please RSVP.

Wine Tasting & Professional Service Tradeshow

September 22, 2021

5:30- 8:00 PM

Join HCC (Hispanic Contractors of Colorado) & IECRM at Balistreri Vineyards for a professional services tradeshow along with a wine tasting event and a buffet dinner. It’s the perfect opportunity to add to your outreach program!

Professional services within the construction industry (design, architecture, engineering) are invited to register for an exhibit table. Contact Rosy to find out if your company is eligible.

Don't wait to register — early bird pricing ends September 8!

State of the Industry Dinner

Thursday, November 4, 2021

5:00pm - 8:30pm

Save the date! This year's Annual State of the Industry Event will be held once again at the historic Wellshire Inn and Event Center. Save the date and join us in person for an elegant steak dinner, the board of directors election, networking, and much more!

Registration for the annual State of the Industry event will open on Wednesday, September 1st.

IEC NATIONAL

Have You Heard? The IEC National Convention is being held this year in Denver, October 6-9!

IECRM has the wonderful opportunity to be one of the Colorado Chapter hosts and we need your help! READ MORE

What’s Happening at the 2021 IEC National Convention?

The IEC Convention & Expo is the premier event of the year for the electrical and systems contracting industry. This year’s event will include multiple education seminars, the Expo Hall featuring the latest industry products and technology, special guest speaker Terrel Davis, Former Denver Bronco, and numerous special events. Click here for a breakdown of special events and the full agenda.

Looking for a new way to connect with your peers in the electrical field?

IEC’S new Facebook IEC Contractor Discussion Group is a forum for IEC contractors and field employees to share ideas, discuss issues, and receive peer guidance on questions related to the electrical profession.

We encourage group members to network and invite their fellow IEC electricians to support group growth; share lessons learned in the field; and serve as a general source of knowledge for anyone needing help in the electrical field. JOIN NOW!

IEC National Events Coming Up

IEC National Safety Summit

Start Date: August 24, 2021

End Date: August 25, 2021

Milwaukee Wisconsin

IEC Convention & Expo 2021

Start Date: October 6, 2021

End Date: October 9, 2021

Denver, Colorado

CODE CORNER

Code Question of the Month – August 2021

Signs or outline lighting system equipment shall be at least ___ feet above areas accessible to vehicles unless protected from physical damage.

Select one:

a. 10
b. 22
c. 18
d. 14
e. 12

Click here for the answer.

Inspector Perspective

Question: How are jurisdictions interpreting the State of Colorado’s issued variance to NEC Section 210.8(F)?

Answer: The consensus of the group, was to permit the omission of a Class A GFCI protective device per the State issued variance, only for those outdoor outlets powering mini-split-type HVAC units, and other HVAC units that employ power conversion equipment to vary the speed of the refrigerant compressor, or heat pump. This is similar to NFPA 70, TIA #: 1593, which has moved on to the NEC Standards Council and an official decision should be made prior to the end of August 2021.

PARTNER NEWS

Complimentary Webinars:

Estate & Business Succession: Planning During Uncertain Times

Tuesday, August 17 at 12:00 PM

Marijuana and the Law

Tuesday, September 21 at 11:00 AM

Visit https://www.fisherphillips.com for great legal resources for your business.

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As a proud partner with the IEC, The Home Depot is dedicated to saving Electricians time and money.

IEC Members can get 2% cashback on all qualifying pre-tax purchases when enrolled in the Free Pro Xtra Program. In addition to the rebate for customers, The Home Depot will donate a half of a percent of all of the sales in this program to the IEC Foundation.

Register today to ensure you get your full rebate at the end of the year! Call (866) 333-3551 or enroll online. Click here