Page 8 - IEC Insights Mar-Apr19

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

People Teaching People

By Gary Golka

I geared for producing professional
hope you enjoy this issue of Insights
with its focus on training. Over the
electricians. It uses technology where
it makes sense and provides value.
years, I have run into contractors
who don’t provide much training
And IEC training is people based, like
for their employees. Usually when
in people training people, and we
I am asking them if they would like to most of your business is. We believe will grant us a favor. Please consider
making yourself a part of the many IEC
belong to IEC, we have a conversation reinforce learning with technology. people that are teaching people. Be the
about their current training. Some of the one that provides that ‘aha!’ moment
answers: 1) “Why pay to train someone Nothing replaces the ‘aha!’ moment that to someone. Use your management
so my competitor can hire them away?,” comes when a teacher (a professional time to actually teach a class to your
2) “I don’t need electricians, I just need journeyman or contractor by day) is employees or your peers at your chapter
installers,” 3) “If I train too much, I just available when the learner is on the cusp or at a National event, be involved in
have to pay more,” 4) Why train my of understanding and can provide that the Apprenticeship and Training (A&T)
future competitors?,” and 5) (my personal key piece of information that unlocks committee at your chapter, be involved
favorite) “I’ll just wait until you get them the last mystery standing in the way of in a National committee like A&T or
trained and hire them away from you!” full enlightenment. Both parties benefit Professional Development. Help write a
from that moment. Technical texts and 30-60 minute lesson on new codes or
Yes, training costs time and money, but illustrations cannot cover the situational products in our industry that you have
those costs are only exceeded by the contexts that a journeyman can provide to experienced from work at your company.
myriad costs of NOT training. Those bring a deeper understanding of codes or Provide just a bit of that most valuable
are many, ranging from fines for not troubleshooting. IEC builds training that resource – your time spent to make our
complying with regulations, doing allows, encourages and promotes those association and our industry great.
work over two or three times, failing moments that produce true professionals.
inspections, having injuries... Perhaps the Your time and the wealth of knowledge,
biggest cost is in losing employees that Studies show that today’s young members wisdom, and experience that comes with
want to be trained, and being left with of our work force are interested in it, is the front half of the IEC education
employees that don’t care if they are education, but not necessarily college and equation: People (that’s you) teaching
trained or not. I believe that education the debt that often accompanies it. Like a People. You will get a reward in moments
matters to you, your employees and game, they do want to see a clear path to from learners and your peers that are
your company. If you are an IEC member, a winning goal of a career with achievable, participating in IEC’s truly professional
I am probably preaching to the choir. rewardable steps along the way. They approach to a credential that becomes
Education is the only way we can keep want to be educated, to have one or a career. The gift of your time is the
up with constant revisions to codes and even better, several stackable credentials favor I am asking, after all, somebody
standards, changing and new technology that allow them peer recognition, spent their time on you, didn’t they?
that will alter the way you work and the professional respect and portability.
products you use. Education allows you
a path towards differentiating your team I believe you wouldn’t be reading this if Gary is the President of Golka Electric, Inc.,
from many other companies, it promotes you didn’t believe in educating yourself. a family-owned electrical contracting firm
and allows your people to display true If it is important for you, it is important located in Mesa, Arizona. Gary has twice
professionalism, and it allows you to for the talent you have in your company. served as President of IECA of Arizona. As
build a business for the long haul. There are costs, but the reward is clear for an advocate for electrical education and
the long-term professional business you training, Gary has served as a Director
So, if training is important to your are building for the 21st century. My hope of the Mountain Southwest Region, and
success, why use IEC training, especially is that after you read the articles in this as a member and Chairman of the IEC
National A&T Committee. He was elected
apprenticeship? IEC has technical content issue – you will have a great perspective to the IEC National Executive Committee
that is written by electrical professionals on IEC education in our industry – you
in 2016 and now serves as President.

6 Insights Magazine | March/April 2019 | www.ieci.org