Page 8 - IEC Insights Mar-April2020

A Payroll
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Service

Education & Training

Just for

By Candy Branham

March will be Branham Electric’s 29th contracting companies, we’re taking Construction
year in business. During this time, we our place as leaders in our industry.
experienced many of the things all
business owners go through: extreme For quite some time, IEC chapters have curriculum. They’re also adding
highs, terrifying lows, uncertainty had talented women in their top executive numerous enhancements to our
and, hopefully, the confirmation director’s seat. Today our chapters are CMS. They’re diligently working on
that we’re succeeding in our chosen also seeing their training director positions developing several new limited energy
profession. We’ve come a long way filled by qualified, motivated women. modules, as requested by our systems
from our humble beginnings. Our More female instructors are sharing their contractors, and much more.
company grew as the world around knowledge with our apprentices in the
us continued to grow—and change. evening while working as electricians Training also takes center stage in 2020. THE
during the day. It’s important to mention IEC’s first Safety Summit takes place
Our electrical industry has changed too. that each year IEC’s enrollment continues April 21–22 at the Eaton Experience OTHER
Back in 1991, it was rare to see a woman to add more female apprentices. The Center in Houston, Texas. The Safety
put on tools and walk onto a construction look of IEC’s student body is changing. Summit offers two jam-packed days of GUYS
jobsite ready to work. Today, women are safety training and discussion featuring
working on jobsites in many facets. Still, Outside of our chapters, National our industry’s best safety experts.
OSHA reports just 9% of U.S. construction committees continue to have a strong Check Printing Check Printing
workers are women. This percentage women’s presence and I thank you for IEC’s 2020 Instructor Conference is Direct Deposit Direct Deposit
equates to roughly 800,000 women. Out welcoming me as IEC’s first female scheduled for July 21–23 at the Eaton
of this number, OSHA calculates more National President but it’s important Experience Center in Pittsburgh, W-2s W-2s
than 200,000 are employed in the trades to note that our industry has evolved Pennsylvania. Those in the know are
as laborers, plumbers, and electricians. beyond the “female factor.” toting this conference as being bigger and Tax Filing Tax Filing
better than any that have come before. Multi-State Processing Multi-State Processing
Women in Construction Week was Think about the innovation we’re seeing.
March 1–7, a celebration that first began We now have access to digital BIM As we all know, the only thing certain Multiple Rates and Trades
in 1960 in Fort Worth, Texas, by the modeling programs and estimating in life is change. To answer it, we must Job Cost Reports
Association for Women in Construction. software. Many of our tools are cordless, adapt. During my tenure at IEC, I’ve seen
The association began in 1953 to harnessing their power from batteries our association pivot to accommodate Certified Payroll (Electronic and Print)
support the small percentage of women and increasing mobility and ease of use. our changing industry landscape.
in the industry. Today, NAWIC is 120 During my time as IEC’s president, Union Reporting
chapters and 4,000 members strong. This year is shaping up to be another I’ll continue to help us navigate the Fringe Benefit Tracking
great one for education and training uncertainties and celebrate our many
IEC was also quite different when we at IEC. Our training facilities across the accomplishments. Together, WE ARE IEC! And So Much More!
joined in 1993. I remember being one country are educating a record breaking
of few women attending the education 13,500 apprentices, which equates to a
sessions at our Convention. Today, IEC 5% increase over our numbers five short Tim and Candy Branham own Branham
has 2,528 contractor members. Of that years ago. Our apprentices are prepared Electric based in St. Peters, Missouri. Get Your Free Quote
number, 148 (or 5%) have a woman as to enter the electrical industry with Branham Electric is a family owned business
the primary point of contact, and several confidence, knowledge, and IEC pride. servicing the St. Louis Metropolitan
area for 29 years. Branham’s niche is
are President or CEO of the company. IEC multi-family and custom residential new
women are not only leading successful IEC’s education team is busy creating construction, commercial and industrial
merit shop electrical and systems the association’s first audiobook payroll4construction.com | (800) 949-9620
set for the four-year apprenticeship service and energy efficient lighting.

6 Insights Magazine | March/April 2020 | www.ieci.org