IMPERIAL, CA – Today, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) announced they will invest an additional $300,000 in the Imperial Electrical Training Center in 2013 to expand skilled training, hire staff and continue to keep local residents first-in-line in the hiring process to build clean energy projects. This raises IBEW Local 569 and NECA’s overall private capital investment in Imperial County to over $1.3 million.
IBEW Local 569 Business Manager Johnny Simpson commented, “From day one, IBEW Local 569’s priority has been to make sure renewable projects are putting Imperial County residents to work first. Thanks to local hire agreements, hundreds of state-certified electricians, apprentices and trainees from all parts of the County are employed building clean energy projects. Now, our members are investing new funds to expand our training, grow the local, skilled workforce and continue to make sure local people are getting the jobs. This is significant in a County with the highest unemployment in California.”
Andrew Berg, Executive Director of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter of NECA remarked, “Imperial County is a clear example of a green economy success story. By expanding our training investments in the County, not only are we opening new career doors for local residents, we are expanding the local pool of skilled electrical labor which is a win-win for the community, renewable developers and our industry.”
The Imperial Electrical Training Center is the only state-certified electrical apprenticeship facility in Imperial County preparing local residents to construct solar, wind and geothermal projects and is funded by the members of IBEW Local 569 and its NECA partners.
Founded in 1891, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 725,000 members working in a variety of fields including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. IBEW Local 569 represents more than 2,500 members in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Formed in 1901, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is the voice of the $100 billion industry responsible for bringing electrical power, lighting, and communications to buildings and communities across the United States. The San Diego Chapter of NECA was chartered in 1942 and today represents over 100 electrical contractors.
