IEC Ignites the Interest of the Brightest Minds

On March 21st through the 23rd, the IEC Atlanta/Georgia chapters participated in the 2013 Construction CareerExpo and SkillsUSA competition, held at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC). IEC views this event as a chance to ignite the interest of the brightest minds to the electrical industry, and encourage the growth of a qualified workforce pool.

Over 6,000 people attended this event from both high schools and technical schools throughout the state. Many students graduating in the next few months can fill the current needs of IEC members because they are young and can be molded to meet IEC contractor members' expectations. The CareerExpo also lays the groundwork for the industry's future needs by creating a pipeline of connections that leads to IEC members and their business staffing needs.

IEC Partner Member, Pace Lighting Selected as Showroom of the Year Finalist for the Fourth Consecutive Year
IEC partner member, Pace Lighting of Savannah, Georgia has once again been selected by an esteemed panel of lighting, retail, and merchandising experts as a finalist for the fourth annual 2013 National Showroom of the Year Awards, presented by Residential Lighting magazine & the Dallas Market Center. IEC congratulates Pace Lighting on this achievement.  This is Pace Lighting's fourth consecutive nomination for the Showroom of the Year Award. Pace Lighting is one of only a few showrooms that have been nominated every year for this prestigious award, and Pace Lighting is the only showroom in the country to be a two-time Showroom of the Year award winner over the last three years. Winners for this year’s award will be announced at the Dallas Market Center in a ceremony on June 20, 2013.

There will be one Showroom of the Year recipient in each of three volume categories plus specialty awards for merchandising display, community involvement, and significant accomplishment in the past year. A profile of Pace Lighting will appear in the May 2013 issue of Residential Lighting magazine. Pace Lighting received the national Showroom of the Year Award in the annual revenue under $2 million category in 2012 & 2010 and was a finalist for that same award in 2011. In 2013, Pace Lighting is finalist in the $2 million - $5 million annual revenue category, an increase on all prior years.

Global Harmonization Is Replacing MSDS Sheet

New changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard are bringing the United States into alignment with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), further improving safety and health protections for America's workers. Building on the success of OSHA's current Hazard Communication Standard, the GHS is expected to prevent injuries and illnesses, save lives and improve trade conditions for chemical manufacturers. The Hazard Communication Standard in 1983 gave the workers the 'right to know,' but the new Globally Harmonized System gives workers the 'right to understand.'

You have until December 1, 2013 to train employees on the new label elements and SDS format. Click here for more details

2013 Georgia Legislative Mid-Session Report

The 2013 Georgia Legislative Session has been one of the most active for our industry in all my years with the IEC. Like always, some have been good, some bad, and others have been a compromised mix with lawmakers. While the session is not over, today, Thursday, March 7 is cross-over day, meaning if a bill has not passed in either the House or Senate, it cannot be voted upon this year. This means whatever has passed one chamber may be passed, but it still has a ways to go.

VETERANS LICENSING - First, the Governor's Office of Workforce Development introduced HB 188 that would allow veterans to obtain their electrical contractors license with no civilian experience or testing. This not only included electrical contractors, but mechanical, plumbers and general contractors. IEC lobbied together with the entire construction industry to establish a review group comprised of industry professionals to determine if the military training and experience is comprable to that needed to obtain their civilian license. The group will also determine the testing in the military to assure it is also equilent to the civilian test they must pass for licensing. The licensing with also be available to the spouse of a veteran. Status: Passed House on March 5

LICENSE RENEWAL - Next HB 205 would elminate the continuing education requirement for license renewal unless their are disciplinary issues, and changes the renewal period from 2 to 6 years. HB 205 died in committee. IEC will be working with the author, Representative Crane before the 2014 session to revisions to the bill.

LOW VOLTAGE LICENSE - Another licensing bill that was proposed, but never introduced, would allow licensed electrical contractors (class I or II) to apply for the low voltage license and obtain it without testing, but paying the application fee. IEC will be working with author, Representative Crane before the 2014 session on the details of this proposed legislation. Here's the proposed bill. Give us feedback