NECA’s Career Center is an innovative service that helps to connect contractors with quality workers in the electrical construction industry. Specifically for members, their employees and chapters, the career center features resumes from NECA Student Chapters and qualified industry professionals. Now with LinkedIn authentication, job applicants are no longer limited to signing into the system with a NECA user ID and password, making it easier for users wanting to join our workforce. Edit/delete capabilities have also been added for both job seekers posting resumes and contractors posting job descriptions. Should you have any questions, please contact Wanessa Alves for assistance.

In 2014, the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) began to garnish interest from multiple industry stakeholders about interest in developing a common licensing exam for electrical contractors and electricians. The idea is that this exam would reciprocate with current licensing programs that exist at the state level. NECA was one of several industry groups that were approached for support of such an effort. Roughly four years of effort by multiple trade associations and organizations has resulted in the new examinations. NASCLA has just launched the new program and is promoting it to state licensing agencies for acceptance and reciprocity. Read more here.

The Chapter’s Board of Directors met on November 1st – 3rd, for its annual planning retreat. During the two day event, the Board reviewed and discussed the Chapter’s 2018 goals and what was achieved. The review of the 2018 goals focused on specific categories including each of the Chapter’s Divisions, Chapter Committees, Administration and Office, Business Development/Government Affairs, along with Regional/Statewide/National goals.

Discussion of the Chapter’s 2019 goals, as well as long range planning also took place. There was active discussion by the entire Board, and we are looking forward to not only an exciting 2019, but digging into the future of our Chapter. All of us at the Chapter office appreciate the time and commitment of our entire Board of Directors (and the perseverance of their spouses and significant others), and we look forward to a successful 2019.

On November 5th, Peter Butler joined the Northern California Chapter staff as the new Labor Relations Representative. Ryan will also be the new point of contact for the Stockton and Modesto Divisions.

Peter has spent the past two years working as a Field Representative in the Office of Congressman Jeff Denham 10th Congressional District of California. Prior to his time with Congressman Denham, Peter served for seven years with the United States Army, where he was Staff Sergeant from 2013 – 2014 and worked as the Medical Evaluation Platoon Non Commissioned Officer in Charge, maintaining accountability over 68 soldiers undergoing medical discharge from active Army Service.

Join us in welcoming Peter to the Chapter and please feel free to contact him via email.

The whole purpose of democracy is for every person to have a say in what goes on in our Country. Voting is an important right in our society! Make your voice heard and vote on November 6ht!

NECA Votes 2018: What will happen and how will it affect your business?
The Senate once again at a tipping point. The House at its most perilous since 2010. The 2018 midterm election could change how business is done in Washington like never before. No matter how it turns out, this is certain: the results will have long lasting effects on the shape of the 116th Congress, you and your business. If you are asking what it may all mean to you, be sure to participate on this very important webinar. Registration is required! You will be able to view and access the webinar presentation by click here.

On October 18, 2018, Cal/OSHA issued a notice of emergency regulation that would require certain employers to electronically submit their summary of recordable work-related injuries and illnesses covering calendar year 2017 to federal OSHA by December 31, 2018.

Businesses operating in California that would be required to submit their Cal/OSHA Form 300A online include all employers with 250 or more employees, unless specifically exempted by section 14300.2 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, and employers with 20 to 249 employees in the specific industries listed on page 8 of the emergency regulation’s proposed text.

Stay in Compliance! Learn which tasks require PPE and which don’t. Users will be able to understand and apply the provisions found in the 2018 revision of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s Standards for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, NFPA 70E. Effectively apply the personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements of NFPA 70E, “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace,” with the PPE app.

The app provides a simplified approach and understanding to job site PPE requirements by providing an in-app job task analysis, briefings examples and risk assessment tools with detailed requirement explanations. The app also provides users with Arc Flash PPE categories, glove charts, and specific PPE options for both direct and alternating current requirements. Visit necanet.org/ppeapp for purchase, or search for “NECA 70E PPE Selector Guide” in your App Store today.

Registration is open for the NECA District IX Council Meeting set for June 24 – 27, 2019, in Monterey, CA. The itinerary includes the General Council meeting and educational sessions, presentations by Politico Group and optional golf events. The full itinerary can be viewed by clicking here.

All meetings will take place at the Intercontinental, The Clement on Cannery Row. Rooms are selling fast and will likely sell out. Please contact Julie Russell with the Chapter office if you would like to book a room for the District IX Meeting. The cancellation policy is generous, so if you are interested in attending, we will be able to book a room now and register your attendance at a later date.

Your company’s education credits may be used towards reimbursement on many of the costs incurred attending the District IX Meeting. For information on how to use education credits offered with your company’s membership, please contact the Chapter office.

California has become the first state in the country to require that all new homes be built with solar panels. The mandate is aimed at reducing California’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The California Energy Commission voted unanimously to recommend energy efficiency standards that are set to be added to state building standards later this year, effecting all construction after January 1, 2020. Under the new rules, builders will be required to either build each new home with its own solar power system or build a shared solar power system to serve a group of homes. In addition to single family homes, the requirement will also apply to apartment and condominium complexes of three stories or less.

The solar panel rule next goes before the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), which typically adopts recommendations from the energy commission. CBSC is expected to take up the matter in October or November.