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Friday, September 8, 2023   WECA was at Joint IAEI Southwestern/Northwestern Section Meeting in Bakersfield

WECA exhibited our role in the electrical industry to hundreds of attendees at the Joint IAEI Southwestern/Northwestern Section Meeting in Bakersfield last week.
 
Electrical industry professionals from across the country, including California, Arizona, and Utah, attended this conference; attendees included inspectors, contractors, plant and facilities engineers, and manufacturers.
 
WECA was a high-voltage sponsor for the event. This allowed for Terry Seabury, Executive Director and CEO, Jimmie Slemp, long-time WECA Instructor and IAEI member, and Rex Hime, Central Valley Regional Relationship Manager, to educate the attendees on what makes WECA training and apprenticeship so special, including our emphases on Code knowledge, safety, and hands-on, competency-based apprenticeship training.
 
With WECA now having training facilities across California, Arizona, and Utah, this event was a great opportunity to spread awareness about not only the merit shop philosophy and the services and benefits we offer to contractors, but also about the Apprenticeship and Electrician Trainee Programs we offer!
 
A big thank you to WECA board member John Pavletich and Pavletich Electric & Communications for also sponsoring the event and helping us to wave the WECA flag at the event this past week.




 
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Friday, September 8, 2023   Riverside Apprenticeship Training Center OPEN HOUSE You're Invited!

We hope all of our member contractors, industry partners, and affiliates in the Riverside community--as well as any members of the public curious to learn more about our programs--can join us for an Open House we're holding jointly with AGC in Riverside at our Apprenticeship Training Center there on September 14th. Please mark your calendars, and we look forward to seeing you there!

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Friday, September 8, 2023   Join WECA at the 2023 Diversity Job & Career Fair - Greater Sacramento Urban League


We are excited to extend a warm invitation to all our members to join us at the 2023 Diversity Job & Career Fair hosted by the Greater Southern United Labor Council (GSUL). This event is a unique opportunity to connect with a diverse talent pool and explore potential partnerships that align with our commitment to inclusivity and excellence. Taking place on October 9th at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, the career fair promises to be a dynamic platform for networking, recruiting, and fostering collaboration. We believe your participation will not only contribute to your organization's growth but also support our collective efforts to promote diversity and equal opportunity within our industry.


Learn more and secure your spot.

We look forward to seeing you there!
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Friday, September 8, 2023   Congrats K2 Electric For Making the Phoenix Business Journal's List of Top Family-Owned Businesses


Sergio Sanchez-Rangel was born in Riverside, California, and is now an Apprenticeship Instructor at our Riverside Training Facility. He was exposed to the construction industry at an early age because his great aunt was always working for a construction company. His Dad maintains a passion for working on cars, so Sergio also grew up watching and helping his Dad work on them in the garage. “I would say my first electrical job was installing Christmas lights for 5 cents a bulb when I was about 6 or 7,” says Sergio.

 
After graduating from Arlington High School in 2013, he moved to Gypsum, CO, and undertook two jobs at once: auto parts store clerk from 7 am - 2 pm, and then meat wrapper/sanitation worker from 2:30 pm- 9 pm. He endured that schedule for several months until he landed a job as a maintenance worker for a strip mall with apartments above retail stores; there he learned how to retrofit fluorescent lighting to the new (at the time) L.E.Ds. In September of 2014, his great aunt let him know that Champion Electric Inc. was looking for workers, so he flew back to California for the opportunity. Sergio says “I never knew I would become an electrician or, early on, even have considered it being such a great career. But I liked science, and since I had a basic understanding of how electrons and electricity worked and always try to have a good work ethic I realized being an electrician was a good career choice for me--especially factoring how rewarding it can be financially. It's personally rewarding, too--I can look around my community and say 'I helped build that.'"
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Sergio began his electrical apprenticeship in 2015. He has been on all types of projects around Southern and Central California. “I was blessed to be exposed to many different types of projects and I tried to soak up all the knowledge I could. The apprenticeship program meant my education was paid for, and I tried to take advantage of the free education as much as I could because I wanted to be knowledgeable in my field. It paid off because I was always able to take what I learned from class and directly apply it in the field and help solve problems.” Sergio passed his California General Electrician Certification exam in 2018 and graduated from the Inside-wireman apprenticeship program (Associated Builders and Contractors Anaheim Chapter) in 2019.  He has worked for Champion Electric Inc, Bergelectric, and Rancho Pacific Inc, and has also done contracting work as his own C-10, Control of Power Electric.
 
When it comes to teaching, Sergio believes, “Teaching our students safe electrical work practices through what I have experienced, and providing real-life examples is so important; this trade is rewarding but it can be dangerous if you aren't safe. I try to make the school experience fun and enjoyable so our students will be engaged with learning the skills it takes to become an electrician and pass their California General Electrician Certification Exam!”
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Friday, September 8, 2023   A Warm Welcome to Our New WECA Apprenticeship Instructor Donald Williams

WECA Apprenticeship Instructor Donald Williams, based at our San Diego Training Facility, was born in San Diego but moved to Texas until he was 5. Then he and his family moved back and he’s been here ever since.
 
Donald got interested in the electrical field just from doing research on the trades—he says he needed something that would pay the bills, because college wasn’t for him. In his research, he found that electricians are very sought after; that they are the first ones on the jobsite and one of the last to leave.
 
Donald was hired by Bergelectric in 2015 and they registered him in WECA’s apprenticeship program shortly thereafter. He was with them through the majority of his apprenticeship. With Berg, he led work, became an estimator, and then became a project engineer (PE), all while still an apprentice. Bergelectric earned the CalOsha Golden State Award on an airport job on which Donald was a PE.
 
He graduated from WECA’s Commercial Electrical apprenticeship program as its Southern California valedictorian and became a certified journeyperson; working for a few years as an electrician at SeaWorld. There he was a safety trainer and safety liaison as well. He also began teaching for WECA’s Get Wired program shortly after becoming a journeyperson. “I found out I loved teaching when I became a scuba instructor before ever getting into the trade. My ultimate goal was to become a fulltime WECA apprenticeship instructor, so when I saw the job opening, I applied. Needless to say, it went well, so here I am. I specialize in motors, troubleshooting, and Code,” says Donald.
 
Additionally, he says "I feel that training is important because out in the field you never hear why we do things. It’s always 'do this or that because your boss or the prints say so.' The training gives students a chance to learn why they are doing it that way; why the engineer designed it that way.”
 
His primary teaching philosophies are:
 
‘When one teaches, two learn.’ –Robert Heinlein
?
‘A good teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.’ –Thomas Carruthers
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Friday, September 8, 2023   It's time to come together to celebrate the WECA California Graduating Classes of 2023! Support WECA


Dear WECA Member Contractors, Industry Partners, and Industry Supporters,

 
WECA is proud to announce the WECA California Graduating Class of 2023!
 
These Commercial Electrical, Residential Electrical, and Low Voltage Apprentices -- as well as a record number of Electrician Trainees in our GetWired ET Certificate program -- have successfully completed their education with WECA!
 
Help us honor their achievement with your sponsorship of their graduation event(s) on:
 
- Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Lake Oak Meadows (36101 Glen Oaks Road A, Temecula, CA 92592) from 1:00 to 4:00 PM for Southern California graduates.
 
- Saturday, October 7, 2023 at WECA's California Headquarters (3695 Bleckely Street, Rancho Cordova, CA 95655) from 4 PM - 7:30 PM for Northern California graduates.
 
Make their graduation memorable. Your sponsorship can allow you and members of your team to attend and meet the graduates -- especially meaningful for them if you're their contractor. Plus, you can meet WECA instructors and staff, other member contractors, and electrical industry supporters as well.
 
Your sponsorship will be recognized at both graduation events!
 
Please consider the sponsorship opportunities available at the link, and thank you for your support of electrical and low voltage education!
 
Sincerely,
The WECA Graduation Team
 
 
Reserve your sponsorship package
Read more >>


Friday, August 25, 2023   Riverside Apprenticeship Training Center OPEN HOUSE You're Invited!

We hope all of our member contractors, industry partners, and affiliates in the Riverside community--as well as any members of the public curious to learn more about our programs--can join us for an Open House we're holding jointly with AGC in Riverside at our Apprenticeship Training Center there on September 14th. Please mark your calendars, and we look forward to seeing you there!
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Friday, August 25, 2023   Riverside Chamber of Commerce Tour Recap

WECA was pleased to host a recent Riverside Chamber of Commerce event at our Riverside Apprenticeship Training facility.

During the event, attendees received information about WECA’s apprenticeship program and workforce development efforts in the region, and then we had the chance to give about a dozen Chamber members an up-close look at our program when they joined our facility tour. The tour included a live demonstration by WECA's skilled instructors, showcasing a class in progress in which our apprentices learn mastery of hands-on skills and leadership competences in our large, state-of-the art lab area.

This event was a great opportunity to connect with Chamber staff and current members, government representatives, and future government leaders. By sharing our mission and expertise, WECA hopes to foster valuable relationships for the future.

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Friday, August 25, 2023   Congrats Royal Electric For Making the Sacramento Business Journal's Fastest-Growing Companies List

Congratulations to WECA Member Contractor Royal Electric for Making the Sacramento Business Journal's List of Fastest-Growing Companies in the region!

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Friday, August 25, 2023   Congrats K2 Electric For Making the Phoenix Business Journal's List of Top Family-Owned Businesses

Congratulations to WECA Member Contractor K2 Electric for Making the Phoenix Business Journal's List of Top Family-Owned Businesses!

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Friday, August 25, 2023   Congrats Corbins For Making AZBIGMEDIA's List of Most Admired Companies of 2023

Congratulations to WECA Member Contractor Corbins for Making the AZBIGMEDIA's List of Most Admired Companies of 2023!
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Friday, August 25, 2023   Register for August 30th Webinar: WOMEN IN REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS WECA's Diane Trotter i


WECA's Diane Trotter, a leader and advocate in the field of workforce development, will be a panelist at an August 30th lunch-and-learn webinar on "Women in Registered Apprenticeship Programs: Breaking Down Barriers and Building Accessibility into High Paid, Growing Jobs," sponsored by net.America, a U.S. Department of Labor-contracted Industry Intermediary for both youth and traditional apprenticeships in the healthcare, health, IT, and energy sectors. Diane will discuss WECA's concerted workforce development efforts and industry collaboration in drawing more women into apprenticeship programs and rewarding careers in the electrical and low voltage fields. We hope you can join us. Register now at: https://hopin.com/events/womeninraps
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Friday, August 25, 2023   Webinar Sep 13th and 14th: DOL Overview of Changes to the Davis-Bacon and Related Act Regulations


Upcoming Webinar from the US Dept of Labor, Wage and Hour Division:

 

DOL Overview of Changes to the Davis-Bacon and Related Act Regulations


An overview of the recent changes to the regulations implementing the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts at Parts 1, 3, and 5.

The Department of Labor's recently published final rule, Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations, is the first comprehensive Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) regulatory review in nearly 40 years. DBRA requires the payment of prevailing wages and fringe benefits to laborers and mechanics who work on federal or District of Columbia contracts in excess of $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings and public works. The final rule updates and modernizes the regulations implementing the DBRA at 29 CFR parts 1, 3, and 5 with the goal of increasing efficiency of administration of the Act and enhancing protections for covered construction workers. This webinar, available on September 13th and September 14th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm EST, will discuss these important changes.

Register HERE.
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Friday, August 25, 2023   Congrats to Instructor Jimmie Slemp on 20 Years At WECA!

?? Congrats to Instructor Jimmie Slemp on reaching quite a milestone – 20 years at WECA! The team in Sacramento got together to celebrate and toast him with taquitos. ?? ??

Thank you, Jimmie, for sharing your knowledge, dedication, expertise, and humor with all of us, and for your unwavering commitment to the apprentices and students in your classroom.

 
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Friday, August 25, 2023   WECA Action Alert Sacramento Airport Proposed PLA

Please attend September 12th meeting with your apprentices and comment publicly on how a PLA would impact you and your employees

HIGH THREAT POTENTIAL SAC COUNTY PLA – YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED
 
When: September 12, 9:30 am
Where: County Administration Center
   700 H Street, Board Chambers (Room 1450)
   Sacramento, CA 95814
 
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will consider a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on expanding the Sacramento Airport (SMF). This PLA is being revisited after a huge victory was secured for merit shop contractors in 2010 when the county began construction on the new terminal B without a PLA, but the board of supervisors has changed since then. The county recently unveiled a $1.3 billion airport expansion plan, and the building trades want 100% of the work.
 
If you are a contractor who cares about PLAs or know anyone who does business with Sacramento County or this airport specifically, please attend this meeting with your apprentices and comment publicly on how a PLA would impact you and your employees.
 
Below are the projects being targeted by this PLA…
 
· Terminal B Parking Garage--$380 million
· Concourse B Expansion--$250 million
· Ground Transportation Center -- $55 million
· Lindberg Bypass and roadway improvements – $10 million
· Terminal A Expansion and a new Consolidated Rental Car Facility -- $390 million
 
Over $1 Billion of work is on the table for you and your employees. With your voice, you can make a difference and possibly prevent another local agency from creating discriminatory practices in California.
 
There are just under three weeks until the meeting; please email Richard Markuson if you can attend. 
Read more >>


Friday, August 25, 2023   National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program Webinar from WECA Industry Partner Graybar

Join WECA Industry Partner Graybar and their collaborator ChargePoint for an upcoming webinar where they'll discuss The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) standards and requirements were established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and went into effect in March 2023. These regulations cover the requirements for projects funded under the NEVI formula program to construct publicly accessible EV chargers.

Graybar and ChargePoint will discuss:
  • Phase I, Focus on Alt Fuel Corridors
  • Program application requirements
  • Solution configurations
  • How Graybar and ChargePoint can help

Date: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Time: 10:30 AM Central Daylight Time
Duration: 1 hour

Click HERE to register
Read more >>


Friday, August 25, 2023   It's time to come together to celebrate the WECA California Graduating Classes of 2023! Support WECA

Dear WECA Member Contractors, Industry Partners, and Industry Supporters,
 
WECA is proud to announce the WECA California Graduating Class of 2023!
 
These Commercial Electrical, Residential Electrical, and Low Voltage Apprentices -- as well as a record number of Electrician Trainees in our GetWired ET Certificate program -- have successfully completed their education with WECA!
 
Help us honor their achievement with your sponsorship of their graduation event(s) on:
 
- Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Lake Oak Meadows (36101 Glen Oaks Road A, Temecula, CA 92592) from 1:00 to 4:00 PM for Southern California graduates.
 
- Saturday, October 7, 2023 at WECA's California Headquarters (3695 Bleckely Street, Rancho Cordova, CA 95655) from 4 PM - 7:30 PM for Northern California graduates.
 
Make their graduation memorable. Your sponsorship can allow you and members of your team to attend and meet the graduates -- especially meaningful for them if you're their contractor. Plus, you can meet WECA instructors and staff, other member contractors, and electrical industry supporters as well.
 
Your sponsorship will be recognized at both graduation events!
 
Please consider the sponsorship opportunities available at the link, and thank you for your support of electrical and low voltage education!
 
Sincerely,
The WECA Graduation Team
 
 
Reserve your sponsorship package
Read more >>


Friday, August 11, 2023   WECA Members Shine Bright in Solar Power World's Top Solar Contractors Completing Work in California


Congratulations to WECA Member Contractors New Era Electric, Citadel Roofing and Solar, Guyou Construction, Sunworks, Helix Electric, Stellar Solar, Solar Technologies, and Sandbar Solar & Electric for making Solar Power World's 2023 Top Solar Contractors Completing Work in California list. We're proud to see so many members on this list, powering a green future! You can check out the full list here.
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Friday, August 11, 2023   SAFE + SOUND WEEK 2023

It's Safe + Sound Week, a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe. Cal/OSHA and the Department of Industrial Relations encourage California’s employers and workers to commit to workplace safety and health during Safe + Sound Week from August 7-13. This year’s program provides resources for businesses on mental health and well-being. 

Click here for more info

 
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Friday, August 11, 2023   The Ultimate Guide to Retaining Top Talent In The Construction Industry

Content Courtesy of Construction Genius Podcast

In an industry grappling with labor shortages, how do construction companies not just attract, but more importantly, retain their skilled workforce? In our latest podcast episode of Construction Genius, we explore this vital question with a master in the field, Matt DiBara of DiBara Masonry and The Contractor Consultants.

Here are the top 5 insights from this enlightening conversation:


1?) The Power of Process Improvement: Matt highlights the importance of comprehensive information before decision-making. He encourages us to leverage process improvement meetings to gain the necessary insights, fostering a more informed, fair decision-making environment.
 
2?) Accountability in Retention: Matt emphasizes a paradigm shift from dismissing departures to introspection, questioning the reasons behind each exit and learning from them.
 
3?) The Quarantine Process: The concept of quarantining toxic but productive elements in the workforce, managing them in a way that doesn't disrupt the overall company culture, is a unique but potentially effective solution that Matt offers.
 
4?) Bridging the Gap: Dealing with toxicity doesn't necessarily mean expulsion. Matt shares strategies to bridge the gap between such personalities and the rest of the workforce, potentially transforming a challenge into an opportunity.
 
5?) Creative Solutions: Matt emphasizes that one-size-fits-all doesn't apply in construction. Developing unique, creative solutions that account for the varying personalities and work styles within the industry is the key to success.
Dive deeper into these insights, and you'll find:
• The key to decision-making in construction is a thorough understanding of each situation and the viewpoints of all involved.
• Rather than dismissing departures, companies should consider each as a learning opportunity.
• While maintaining a healthy company culture is important, there are cases where accommodating a productive but challenging individual could prove beneficial.
• Addressing toxicity may involve creating bridges of understanding rather than resorting to drastic actions.
• Uniquely tailored solutions often yield the best results in the diverse and multifaceted world of construction.
 
Join us in this episode as we navigate through the challenges and solutions to retaining top talent in the construction industry. You will come away with not just an understanding of the persistent labor shortage issue, but also practical strategies to turn your company into a talent magnet.
Click here to listen
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Friday, August 11, 2023   It's time to come together to celebrate the WECA California Graduating Classes of 2023! Support WECA


Dear WECA Member Contractors, Industry Partners, and Industry Supporters,

 
WECA is proud to announce the WECA California Graduating Class of 2023!
 
These Commercial Electrical, Residential Electrical, and Low Voltage Apprentices -- as well as a record number of Electrician Trainees in our GetWired ET Certificate program -- have successfully completed their education with WECA!
 
Help us honor their achievement with your sponsorship of their graduation event(s) on:
 
- Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Lake Oak Meadows (36101 Glen Oaks Road A, Temecula, CA 92592) from 1:00 to 4:00 PM for Southern California graduates.
 
- Saturday, October 7, 2023 at WECA's California Headquarters (3695 Bleckely Street, Rancho Cordova, CA 95655) from 4 PM - 7:30 PM for Northern California graduates.
 
Make their graduation memorable. Your sponsorship can allow you and members of your team to attend and meet the graduates -- especially meaningful for them if you're their contractor. Plus, you can meet WECA instructors and staff, other member contractors, and electrical industry supporters as well.
 
Your sponsorship will be recognized at both graduation events!
 
Please consider the sponsorship opportunities available at the link, and thank you for your support of electrical and low voltage education!
 
Sincerely,
The WECA Graduation Team
 
 
Reserve your sponsorship package
Read more >>


Friday, August 11, 2023   2023 WECA and PHCC of California Joint Legislative Day August 16th. RSVP Now.

WECA California Member Contractors: Join WECA and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of California (CAPHCC) at the California State Capitol in Sacramento on August 16 for a joint legislative day. Spend the morning learning about relevant industry happenings at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The day will begin by hobnobbing with political pundits, lawyers, and soothsayers before segueing to the 'swing space' of the Capitol (the temporary home of California state legislators while the aging Capitol Annex is being replaced) to visit with your Senator and Assemblymember and share your thoughts on some relevant bills awaiting final action. WECA and CAPHCC believe that constituent advocacy is an essential part of citizenship.

?Register here
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Friday, July 28, 2023   2023 WECA and PHCC of California Joint Legislative Day


WECA California Member Contractors: Join WECA and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of California (CAPHCC) at the California State Capitol in Sacramento on August 16 for a joint legislative day. Spend the morning learning about relevant industry happenings at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The day will begin by hobnobbing with political pundits, lawyers, and soothsayers before segueing to the 'swing space' of the Capitol (the temporary home of California state legislators while the aging Capitol Annex is being replaced) to visit with your Senator and Assemblymember and share your thoughts on some relevant bills awaiting final action. WECA and CAPHCC believe that constituent advocacy is an essential part of citizenship.


?Register here
Read more >>


Friday, July 28, 2023   WECA Member Contractor Sebastian Makes Top Private Sector Employer List in Fresno Business Journal


Congratulations to WECA Member Contractor Sebastian for making the Fresno Business Journal's List of Top Private Sector Employers in the Sacramento Region. The list, ranked by number of employees, highlights the significant contributions these companies have made to the region's economy and showcases their commitment to developing a skilled workforce--as exemplified by all of our other members as well. WECA Member Contractors build our communities!

 
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Friday, July 28, 2023   Unlock Your Hiring Superpowers with WECA's Student Referral Service


WECA Member Contractors in California: We have a current list of Electrician Trainees who have signed up for our Student Referral Service and are eager to connect with hiring employers. To receive referrals from WECA's Student Referral Service, please contact Trisha Hughes, WECA ET/CE Client Services Specialist, at thughes@goweca.com or 877-444-9322.
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Friday, July 28, 2023   Department of Labor announces proposed rule to clarify personal protective equipment standard

Content Courtesy of Department of Labor 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify the personal protective equipment standard for the construction industry.
The current standard does not state clearly that PPE must fit each affected employee properly, which the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s general industry and maritime standards do. The proposed change would clarify that PPE must fit each employee properly to protect them from occupational hazards.
The failure of standard-sized PPE to protect physically smaller construction workers properly, as well as problems with access to properly fitting PPE, have long been safety and health concerns in the construction industry, especially for some women. The proposed rule clarifies the existing requirement, and OSHA does not expect the change will increase employers’ costs or compliance burdens. The proposed revision would align the language in OSHA’s PPE standard for construction with standards for general industry and maritime.
“If personal protective equipment does not fit properly, an employee may be unprotected or dangerously exposed to hazards and face tragic consequences,” explained Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “We look forward to hearing from stakeholders on this important issue as we work together to ensure that construction workers of all genders and sizes are fitted properly with safety gear.”
Submit comments and hearing requests online using the Federal eRulemaking Portal and reference Docket No. OSHA-2019-0003. Read the Federal Register notice for details. Comments and hearing requests must be submitted by Sept. 18, 2023.
PPE must fit properly to provide adequate protection to employees. Improperly fitting PPE may fail to provide any protection to an employee, present additional hazards, or discourage employees from using such equipment in the workplace.
Learn more about personal protective equipment in construction.

Media Contact:
Mandy McClure, 202-693-4675, mcclure.amanda.c@dol.gov
Release Number: 23-1739-NAT
 
Read more >>


Friday, July 28, 2023   Mineral, our HR Management Platform Member Benefit, Shares Roundup of Safety Blogs

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Friday, July 28, 2023   It's time to come together to celebrate the WECA California Graduating Classes of 2023!


Dear WECA Member Contractors, Industry Partners, and Industry Supporters,

 
WECA is proud to announce the WECA California Graduating Class of 2023!
 
These Commercial Electrical, Residential Electrical, and Low Voltage Apprentices -- as well as a record number of Electrician Trainees in our GetWired ET Certificate program -- have successfully completed their education with WECA!
 
Help us honor their achievement with your sponsorship of their graduation event(s) on:
 
- Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Lake Oak Meadows (36101 Glen Oaks Road A, Temecula, CA 92592) from 1:00 to 4:00 PM for Southern California graduates.
 
- Saturday, October 7, 2023 at WECA's California Headquarters (3695 Bleckely Street, Rancho Cordova, CA 95655) from 4 PM - 7:30 PM for Northern California graduates.
 
Make their graduation memorable. Your sponsorship can allow you and members of your team to attend and meet the graduates -- especially meaningful for them if you're their contractor. Plus, you can meet WECA instructors and staff, other member contractors, and electrical industry supporters as well.
 
Your sponsorship will be recognized at both graduation events!
 
Please consider the sponsorship opportunities available at the link, and thank you for your support of electrical and low voltage education!
 
Sincerely,
The WECA Graduation Team
 
 
Reserve your sponsorship package
Read more >>


Friday, July 14, 2023   WECA Member Contractors Barnum & Celillo Electric and Royal Electric Recognized in SBJ



Congratulations to WECA Member Contractors Barnum & Celillo Electric and Royal Electric for making the Sacramento Business Journal's List of Top Private Sector Employers in the Sacramento Region. The list, ranked by number of employees, highlights the significant contributions these companies have made to the region's economy and showcases their commitment to developing a skilled workforce--as exemplified by all of our other members as well. WECA Member Contractors build our communities!
Read more >>


Friday, July 14, 2023   WECA Makes Sacramento Business Journal Top 25 Business Advocacy List

Congratulations to WECA's Advocacy Team for making Sacramento Business Journal's 2023 list of Top Business Advocacy Groups! WECA is proud to represent the needs of electrical, low voltage, and solar contractors and the electricians and technicians they employ across our region.
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Friday, July 14, 2023   Royal Electric Skilled Trades Day: A Visit to WECA's Rancho Cordova Facility

We had a great time the other week hosting Member Contractor Royal Electric and their 2023 crop of Skilled Trades interns. It's fun to witness Royal inspiring these young adults to kick-start rewarding careers in our industry.

WECA's Assistant Director of Apprenticeship Wendy Flanagan says "It was great to spend time with this engaged group of young adults that are starting their career in the trades. They actively participated and you could tell they are excited about what they are learning and their futures. One young woman said she has always wanted to be an electrician, and you could feel her enthusiasm."
 
 




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Friday, July 14, 2023   Arizona: West Valley Workforce Success Series Register for July 19th


Heath Anderson, WECA's Outreach and Workforce Development Specialist in Arizona, has been helping to put together a West Valley Workforce Success Series of webinars in partnership with the Western Maricopa Coalition (Westmarc) and others; their upcoming July 19th webinar on Workforce Experiential Learning will also feature our founding member contractor in Arizona, Corbins.

We encourage all of our Arizona members to register for this thoughtful and informative webinar--and our California and Utah members can get ideas from it, too! They're aiming for great workforce takeaways for all attendees.
 
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Friday, July 14, 2023   New Course Announcement! GetWired 204 - Self-Paced Online

WECA is excited to announce another way your Electrician Trainees can take GetWired 204, the eighth class in WECA's Path to an Electrician Trainee Program Certificate!

We've long offered GetWired 204 as an instructor-led online course with one hands-on lab on a Saturday. And we still do!

But for students who would prefer to take this course at their own pace, on their own time, we're now offering a fully self-paced online option, just like we've been offering for earlier courses in the GetWired series! Students who might prefer this format include:
 
  • Students with job, childcare, or other obligations preventing them from taking the instructor-led scheduled courses in the evenings
 
  • Students who would benefit from being able to review the material at a slower pace, such as students for whom English is a second language
 
  • Students who just prefer to work on the coursework at times and places when it works best for them

WECA's new GetWired 204 Self-Paced Option is an entirely online, self-paced alternative version of our GetWired 204 course, which expands on the concepts and skills built in earlier courses. Topics covered include:
 
  • Transformers
  • Special locations
  • Hazardous locations
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Places of assembly
  • Commercial garages and motor fuel dispensing facilities
  • Motors, generators, A/C and refrigeration and fire pumps
  • Series-parallel circuits
  • Basic lighting control – online interactive lab
  • Single-phase motors

GET WIRED! 204 self-paced includes an independent study project that students must complete to earn course credit. The project is designed to help them develop the on-the-job skills they need to be an expert electrician. This course is loaded with interactive practice and an online, self-guided lab to ensure that skills covered in class can be applied on the job.
 
  • Total class hours available: 39
 
  • Standard Tuition Fee: $389

You can enroll your trainees or encourage them to do so here:
GetWired 204 Self-Paced Online

If your trainees would prefer being able to interact with an instructor and learn along with other students, on a schedule two evenings a week, including one onsite in-person lab on a Saturday:
Enroll in an upcoming instance of the original GetWired 204 here

Or, if they'd prefer that instructor interaction and learning along with other students, on a schedule two evenings a week, but with an online instructor-led lab:
Enroll in an upcoming instance of GetWired 204 with online lab here

 
Read more >>


Friday, July 14, 2023   Federal And State-Specific Guidance for Keeping Your Employees Safe in Rising Temperatures

 
California

Per Cal/OSHA, employers with outdoor workers must take the following steps to prevent heat illness:

* Plan - Develop and implement an effective written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures.

* Training - Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.

* Water - Provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool and free of charge so that each worker can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage workers to do so.

* Shade - Provide shade when workers request it and when temperatures exceed 80 degrees. Encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.

Cal/OSHA urges workers experiencing possible overheating to take a preventative cooldown rest in the shade until symptoms are gone. Workers who have existing health problems or medical conditions that reduce tolerance to heat, such as diabetes, need to be extra vigilant. Some high blood pressure and anti-inflammatory medications can also increase a worker's risk for heat illness.

To prevent heat illness, it is crucial that supervisors are effectively trained on emergency procedures in case a worker gets sick. This helps ensure sick employees Department of Industrial Relations Release No.19-44 Page 2 receive treatment immediately and that the symptoms do not develop into a serious illness or death.

Cal/OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention special emphasis program, the first of its kind in the nation, includes enforcement of heat regulations as well as multilingual outreach and training programs for California's employers and workers. Detail on heat illness prevention requirements and training materials are available online on Cal/OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention web page and the 99calor.org informational website. A Heat Illness Prevention online tool is also available on Cal/OSHA's website.

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Employers and workers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHA's Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424.

Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices. Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR's Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734).
 
 
Arizona
 
Download: Arizona Heat Safety Resource Guide
 
State of Arizona Guidance on Heat Stress Awareness
https://www.azica.gov/heatstress
 
OSHA on Heat Exposure
https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure
 
OSHA on Heat Illness Prevention
https://www.osha.gov/heat
 
   
Utah

State of Utah Guidance on Extreme Heat
(WECA notes: it looks like this site is a work in progress, but if you scroll down you'll find some useful links.)
https://beready.utah.gov/utah-hazards/extreme-heat/
 
OSHA on Heat Exposure
https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure
 
OSHA on Heat Illness Prevention
https://www.osha.gov/heat
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Friday, July 14, 2023   LADBS "Listen to the Industry" live webinar series may be of interest to WECA Members working in LA

Content Courtesy of City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety

The LADBS "Listen to the Industry" live webinar series details are here!

These sessions will be held on July 19 & 20, 2023 . Join LADBS subject matter experts who will provide updates as well as listen to you during Q & A sessions. Sign up now and secure your spot! See details below, click on the session(s) you wish to attend and confirm via zoom registration.

The following webinars provide an overview of most common correction notice items identified by LADBS by industry, followed by Q & A session.

Solar
Date: WED, July 19, 2023
Time: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Click to Register to Attend

Electrical Code
?
Date: THUR, July 20, 2023

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Click to Register to Attend
 
Read more >>


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