Electrical Careers Central Ohio

The Electrical Careers Ohio coalition has launched an initiative seeking to recruit area electricians with existing experience to join the Power Connect contractor network of Greater Central Ohio. The coalition includes more than 117 electrical contracting firms who utilize the workforce of IBEW, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, throughout the region.

The Greater Central Ohio region is growing rapidly, especially in the areas of solar, electric vehicle charging and energy storage.  To meet demand now and into the future, Electrical Careers Ohio will be onboarding hundreds of electricians including seasoned professionals and those relatively new to the industry.  The initiative is being funded by Power Connect, which is comprised of members of Central Ohio NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) and the four IBEW Locals serving Greater Central Ohio. 

“Now is the time to expand your electrical career by joining the Electrical Careers Ohio team.   There is so much work in the pipeline…why not apply your skills with a group of contractors that pay higher wages, offer great benefits, on-going training and a strong retirement?”  said Jon Mandl, Chapter Manager, Central Ohio NECA.  “It’s literally an instant pay raise.”

Electrical Careers Ohio is seeking electricians for IBEW Locals, covering areas from north of Mansfield, through Columbus and south to Portsmouth.  Local unions, IBEW 575, IBEW 683, IBEW 688 and IBEW 1105 have joined together to promote career opportunities for electricians in partnership with Power Connect contractors throughout the region.  “If you’re looking to expand your electrical career and get paid what you’re worth, we have a place for you in our workforce right now.”  said Carl Neutzling who is the Co-Chair of Power Connect as well as the Business Manager for IBEW 688. 

The Director of Power Connect, Kelly Waters, emphasized the immediate need for experienced electricians, “Our contractors work on most major construction projects in the region and we are seeing continued significant growth in data centers, solar fields, electric vehicle charging and energy storage installations.  Our contractors have many years of work already secured and a robust workforce is necessary to meet demand now and well into the future.” 

For existing electricians who have some or a lot of field experience, the group has launched a new website and social media campaign for Electrical Careers Ohio that provides information, video content and a searchable map for easy connectivity to begin the conversation around joining the team.  Demand for electricians in the area is strong and this opportunity offers a career upgrade unmatched by others.

The electrical industry changes rapidly with the advancement of new technologies.   The groups behind this effort privately and jointly fund the necessary training to keep up with the pace of change through a network of industry Training Centers throughout Greater Central Ohio.    

“We’re seeing significant growth with data centers, solar, EV and storage.  These systems require highly skilled professionals with technology specific training.  Joining our team assures that the electrician looking to grow will have the necessary training and tools to do so.” said Beth Butler, President/COO of Roberts Service Group and Co-Chair of Power Connect. 

Visit www.electricalcareersohio.com to learn more and connect with the team.

EV Infrastructure Major Focus of Biden Administration

EV Infrastructure Major Focus of Biden Administration

The Biden administration has prioritized national EV adoption and charging infrastructure build out. This is a market segment that Power Connect has been developing for our contractors and IBEW Locals for the past few years. We are ready and well positioned to win this business. Here’s a brief overview of what the American Jobs Plan will focus on for meeting EV adoption and infrastructure goals:

FACT SHEET: The American Jobs Plan

Create good jobs electrifying vehicles. U.S. market share of plug-in electric vehicle (EV) sales is only one-third the size of the Chinese EV market. The President believes that must change. He is proposing a $174 billion investment to win the EV market. His plan will enable automakers to spur domestic supply chains from raw materials to parts, retool factories to compete globally, and support American workers to make batteries and EVs. It will give consumers point of sale rebates and tax incentives to buy American-made EVs, while ensuring that these vehicles are affordable for all families and manufactured by workers with good jobs. It will establish grant and incentive programs for state and local governments and the private sector to build a national network of 500,000 EV chargers by 2030, while promoting strong labor, training, and installation standards. His plan also will replace 50,000 diesel transit vehicles and electrify at least 20 percent of our yellow school bus fleet through a new Clean Buses for Kids Program at the Environmental Protection Agency, with support from the Department of Energy. These investments will set us on a path to 100 percent clean buses, while ensuring that the American workforce is trained to operate and maintain this 21st century infrastructure. Finally, it will utilize the vast tools of federal procurement to electrify the federal fleet, including the United States Postal Service.

Power Connect launches new EV Infrastructure program

As our region gains national attention as a leader in Smart Transportation, Power Connect electrical contractors are providing critical expertise and resources to build out the electrical vehicle (EV) infrastructure. 

According to Power Connect Director, Kelly Waters, the goal is to make it as easy as possible for companies and organizations to invest in EV Infrastructure. “We can guide the customer through the site evaluation process and help them select the equipment that best fits their needs. We help access rebates and can even provide full project funding.”

All of the Power Connect electrical contracting firms in the program are certified by the nationally recognized Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program which is a certification standard developed by a consortium of auto manufacturers, utility companies and equipment manufacturers.

To learn more about the program visit our Electric Vehicle Program page .

IBEW 688 Celebrates 100 Years

Press Release

IBEW 688 Celebrates 100 Years

Mansfield, OH – On May 17, 1917, 21 electrical workers chartered a union in Mansfield that is today known as International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 688.

The Union will celebrate its charter with a celebration on Saturday, May 27 at the Kehoe Center in Shelby, OH.

“The milestone achieved is rare in today’s culture, but IBEW 688 has persevered through ups and downs. Our members have built and maintained many of the industrial, commercial, and residential properties in the area and provided the main source of telephone and data for the Mansfield area,” said Business Manager, Carl Neutzling.

IBEW 688 represents electrical construction workers in Richland County and seven surrounding counties as well as CenturyLink employees in Mansfield, Lucas, Shiloh, Lexington, Bellville, Butler, and Ontario.

With 200 members locally, the IBEW nationwide represents over 650,000 workers in many disciplines including railroad, manufacturing, construction, utility, broadcasting, and telephone.