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Local 58/NECA Training Center earns award for workforce development

Date Posted: March 22 2013

STERLING HTS. – The IBEW Local 58– NECA Electrical Industry Training Center received a prestigious Macomb Business Award last month, honoring the staff and facility as a “Champion of Workforce Development.”

The awards, held at the Best Western Sterling Heights, honored outstanding Macomb County Businesses in an inaugural event hosted and planned by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development.

Awards were presented in categories which included: Energy Efficiency Expert, Corporate Citizen, Diversification Leader and Champion of Workforce Development. There was also an award for Economic Development Partner of the Year.

Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel presented the awards, which were designed as a way to celebrate the organizations working to achieve greatness in Macomb County.

“It is truly an honor for the work of the IBEW-NECA Electrical Industry Training Center in Southeastern Michigan to be recognized as a leader among the 49 other nominees which included so many global business leaders.” Said Jennifer Mefford, Director of Business Development for the Southeastern Michigan LMCC.

The IBEW-NECA Electrical Industry Training Center provides apprenticeship and continuing education for the members of the National Electrical Contractors Association of Southeastern Michigan and IBEW Local 58. They jointly fund the training center. “We know the training at our facility sets our members apart and provides our customers with the best experience and productivity on the job,” said Local 58 Business Manager Michael Richard.

Dan Tripp, Executive vice president of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of NECA added, “Our business development outreach efforts over the past several years, combined with the outstanding training provided through the training center, allowed us to be considered and awarded in a field of some of the region’s largest employers. These efforts strongly support the quality and value position we hold in the marketplace.”

The Training Center has developed programs for the diversification of skills in new technologies including: photovoltaic/solar, wind turbine maintenance and installation, electric vehicle charging systems, energy conservation measures, advanced lighting controls and others.

Other award winners included:

  • Energy Efficiency Expert: General Dynamics Land Systems
  • Diversification Leader: Fori Automation
  • Corporate Citizen: Omega Plastics
  • Economic Development Partner of the Year: Macomb Community College

“We are humbled and honored to receive a Macomb Business Award which acknowledges our contribution to the world-class training and development of the finest electricians and electrical contractors in the region, said Training Director Gary Polulak.

THE IBEW LOCAL 58/NECA training staff includes (l-r) Training Director Gary Polulak, instructor Andy Dueweke, instructor Marty McLean, administrative staff Jodi Sheppard, instructor Beau Burton, Head Instructor Kathy Devlin, Director of Education & Outreach Tom Bowes, instructor Barry Brunke, and administrative staff Kathy Price.