Page 13 - June 2017 Electrical News 1

JUNE 2017 13

Espen Technology Awards E.R.I. Klein Tools “State of the Industry”: Electricians
as 2016 Rep Agency of the Year Doing their Part to Close U.S. Skills Gap

Left to right: Richard Zhang, President, Espen; Tom Smith, Principal, E.R.I.; Electricians value young people. Electricians increased for the second
John Clancy, VP Sales, Espen; Jing Mo, Director of Engineering, Espen mentoring and on-the-job are finding opportunities consecutive year, and
training to support a new to support the future of the continues to grow.
SANTA FE goals and expectations in experienced workforce trade: “We recently
SPRINGS, CA - Espen 2016.” Clancy added, “They Lincolnshire, IL – Klein In the past year, pledged to continue our
Technology has presented are a major contributor to Tools announced new 46 percent of electricians partnership with the
its 2016 Rep Agency of the Espen’s explosive growth results from its annual have mentored or trained International Brotherhood
Year Award to Electrical in the linear LED lighting “State of the Industry” apprentices or students of Electrical Workers
Representatives (E.R.I.), its industry. We’re proud to survey, with input from voluntarily. This includes (IBEW), the National
sales rep firm in Southern have them representing us more than 600 union and 52 percent of union Electrical Contractors
California. E.R.I. services in SoCal.” non-union electricians. electricians and 43 percent Association (NECA) and
10 counties in SoCal, Espen Technology While the shortage non-union. The Electrical Training
including major markets Inc. is a company of skilled electricians Apprentice Alliance to promote
such as Los Angeles, San dedicated to designing and continues to be an area programs are the most comprehensive training.
Diego, Bakersfield, and manufacturing high quality, of concern, survey results common structured setting We increased our original
Santa Barbara. high performance linear revealed that seasoned for volunteering. Of those investment to $2 million
According to John LED lighting components. electricians are volunteering who volunteered their time, over the next five years
Clancy, VP of Sales at For more information, visit: their time to mentor, three in five electricians did to be able to provide
Espen, “E.R.I. exceeded our www.espentech.com. educate and train young so in a structured setting, more tools and education
electricians to preserve through an apprentice to apprentices in these
industry knowledge. Most program, trade school, programs,” Klein says.
electricians also believe high school or official Klein Tools also
that on-the-job training is organization. supports local technical
critical to creating a more Non-union schools that provide
experienced workforce. electricians are significantly manufacturing, engineering
Results showed more likely to volunteer on and computer numerical
that nearly seven in 10 their own with people they control (CNC) machining
electricians are concerned know. curriculums.
about the skills gap in the “It is essential to the “We partner with
U.S. Labor Market, and industry for experienced Mansfield Economic
virtually all, 95 percent, electricians to share their Development Curriculum
believe more should be knowledge with apprentices and Workforce Solutions
done to promote skilled and students to help reduce to offer internships at our
trades as a career option for the skills gap,” says Mark manufacturing facilities in
Klein, co-president of Mansfield, Texas. Students
Allied Wire & Cable Receives 2017 Outstanding Klein Tools. “We value who excel in their initial
Exporter Award education and work to internships can progress
recognize electricians who into a paid internship or
COLLEGEVILLE, Allied has a strong accepted the award on serve their communities full-time position at Klein
PA —Allied Wire & Cable background in showing behalf of AWC and through our Electrician Tools. We know how key
was a recipient of the 2017 its exporting efforts; the addressed the audience of the Year program. The on-the-job training is
National Small Business company previously won on best practices and 2016 Electrician of the Year for the trades so we do
Exporter’s Summit Award the Presidential “E” award lessons learned in regards winner and runner-up both our best to offer these
as an Outstanding Exporter. in 2014. President and to lead generation. Allied volunteer their time with opportunities,” Klein says.
The National CEO, Tim Flynn has openly welcomed the opportunity apprentices and students More than 600
Small Business Exporter’s stated how important to share its knowledge in the trades, and even union and non-union
Summit meets each year fair trade agreements with industry members on donated their winnings to electricians were surveyed
as a celebration of World and exporting is to the how to improve exporting their local training centers. for the Klein Tools “State
Trade Day. This year, Allied American economy. By capabilities to provide top We encourage volunteering of the Industry” survey
Wire & Cable was lucky to serving new international quality “Made in USA” and mentoring, and by Russell Research,
be nominated and awarded markets through exporting products abroad. continue to support our an independent survey
as an Outstanding Exporter goods, it allows the U.S. For more young electricians by research firm. Russell
for 2017. This summit to provide more jobs and information, please visit: providing the tools they Research conducted 201
recognizes top small and build up the economy. www.awcwire.com. need to succeed.” online interviews from Jan.
medium sized business Natalie Beers, This year’s survey 20-26, 2015; 200 online
exporters in the U.S. Director of Marketing, also found 78 percent of interviews from Jan. 27-
electricians who believe Feb. 5, 2016; and 200 online
A.L.P. Advantage: Integrated Solutions there is an electrician interviews from Jan. 10-18,
shortage agree that more 2017, to secure a nationally
on-the-job training would significant representation.
create a more experienced Forty percent of
workforce. In fact, five respondents were union
in six electricians credit members and 60 percent
on-the-job training as the were not.
most valuable part of their For more about
educational experience. the survey results, please
In addition to on- visit: www.kleintools.
the-job training, survey com/2017survey1.
results showed electricians
In addition to custom product options, A.L.P. offers the industry’s most comprehensive selection of standard, readily available components and kits. also spend a considerable
This single source solution allows you to move to market faster, with a prove line of superior products that increase the potential for success. amount of time in the
classroom, with three-
For more information on A.L.P.’s time- and money-saving integrated solutions, contact 877-257-5481 or visit alpadvantage.com quarters of electricians
having received classroom
Follow us Represented by training.
Web-based
an an electrical training has