Ask any business owner today to state their biggest challenge and the answer will be “workforce!” Ask any electrical contractor and they will say, “welcome to our world” as the skilled trades industry continues to address workforce shortages that have a multiplier effect when coupled with growth, evolutions in technology and systems automation, and retirements of licensed electricians.
The Importance of the Electrician Workforce
Workforce is the critical message carried forward through IECRM’s legislative priorities this session. The Colorado Legislature is about halfway through the session. The debate and consideration of bills before committees and the general assembly will intensify between now and early May. Be on the lookout for emails from the IECRM Government Relations Committee sent to you via [email protected]. These will contain requests for industry examples, calls, emails, or testimony as we seek to support, oppose or amend bills moving through the legislative process. Want to start receiving these alerts? Please email [email protected] to be added to this distribution list.
The most impactful bill awaiting introduction remains a “ratio bill” which is currently in final draft form. Please email [email protected] for a copy of the draft. Rural and urban, small or large company, residential, commercial or industrial companies, we need your review and engagement on this issue which dramatically affects the apprentice workforce of the future. You can review all introduced legislation IECRM is following via the Legislative Tracker.
Impacts on the Electrical Industry
It is important to also note previous year’s legislation now in regulatory and implementation stages also impacting the electrical industry:
State Apprenticeship Agency: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb21-1007 & link to CDLE SAA https://cdle.colorado.gov/offices/office-of-the-future-of-work/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-colorado
Required Reporting of Apprenticeship Classroom Hours & Practical Experience: https://dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical/News#1214 / https://dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical/ExperienceReporting
Apprenticeship Training, Examinations And Professional Licenses: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb20-120 https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-196
Electricians Inspectors Licensing Qualifications: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb17-247
Electrical Safety Act (CEUs): https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb16-1073
For more information about policy, advocacy, regulatory and other business and industry impacts, please visit the IECRM Member Resources page. You will need your IECRM password to access.
