NEWS

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL TRADE COUNCIL (NETCO) ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF A CANADIAN EVITP TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR QUALIFIED ELECTRICIANS

TORONTO, June 10, 2013 – The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP)—a non-profit collaboration of industry partners in the USA providing training and certification for electricians installing Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)—and the National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO)—the joint training arm of the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, First District, Canada (IBEW)— today officially announce the launch of a Canadian EVITP training and certification program for qualified Construction Electricians (NOC 7241).

EVITP was established in the USA to provide the Electric Vehicle (EV) transportation sector of the electrical industry, and all stakeholders, with a structured platform to facilitate training and certification for the installation of EVSE across residential, commercial/public and fleet markets.

The adaptation of the EVITP training and certification program for Canada was sponsored by NETCO on behalf of the electrical industry in Canada. This involved extensive research and development with subject-matter experts across Canada and the USA collaborating to:

• adapt the American curriculum and certification exam to the Canadian context;

• recognize EVITP as an independent, third-party certifying body;

• establish Canadian EVITP certification exam administration protocols;

• sponsor two regional EVITP Instructor Training, Phase 1, pilots in British Columbia (June 10-13, 2013) and Ontario (July 22-25, 2013);

• promote the establishment of EVITP National Training Centres in Canada; and,

• implement a communications strategy promoting the availability of EVITP training and

certification for Canada.

“The Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) actively supports the development of the EV market in Canada and encourages electrical industry stakeholders to embrace emerging electrical technologies early,” said CECA President and NETCO Director Colin Campbell. “The EVITP training and certification program for Canada was developed with reference to the Canadian Electrical Code and the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program. It is an important milestone in addressing related workforce development.”

Today, NETCO’s inaugural EVITP Instructor Training pilot is being hosted by the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC) at its training centre, 1424 Broadway Street, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. EJTC is a partnership between IBEW, Local 213 and the Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia. An Opening Ceremony is scheduled at 11 a.m. Andy Cleven, EJTC’s Training Director and member of NETCO’s National EVITP Advisory Committee, will serve as Master of Ceremony and speakers include Mayor Greg Moore, City of Port Coquitlam and Mike Farnworth, MLA, Port Coquitlam.

EVITP Instructor Training will eventually be available to all stakeholders, such as community colleges, through National Training Centres that will be accredited by the

certifying body. With assistance from NETCO, EVITP plans on implementing this model in Canada ASAP following the pilot training sessions. In order to be eligible for EVITP Instructor Training, candidates must:

1. hold a Construction Electrician (NOC 7241) Certificate of Qualification. and

2. have a minimum of two years of full-time or four years of part-time documented experience in delivering electrical trade-related training (e.g., supplemental apprenticeship training, journeyperson training, safety training) or electrical apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship training. Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirement shall be Mentored by a qualified EVITP trainer who will provide on-site coaching and support for the duration of the first training session delivered by the candidate Instructor. The EVITP Instructor credential shall be issued only upon recommendation of the Mentor. and

3. demonstrate that their sponsoring organization is committed to addressing the demand for EVITP training and certification in his/her jurisdiction in a timely manner.

About NETCO

The National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO) is the national voice of the electrical industry in Canada. NETCO is a joint Labour-Management partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), First District, Canada and the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA). CECA represents over 8,000 electrical contractors across Canada who generate over $5 billion in revenues and who directly employ 70,000 persons. IBEW Local Unions represent approximately 64,000 members in Canada and a significant proportion work as electrical journeypersons and apprentices. NETCO's mandate is to promote national standards, apprenticeship and journeyperson skills training in Canada with a particular focus on Red Seal electrical trades. For more information visit www.ceca.org/netco.

Contacts

Local

Andy Cleven

Training Director, Electrical Joint Training Committee

(604) 571-6540 acleven@ejtc.org www.ejtc.org

National

Carol MacLeod

Executive Director, National Electrical Trade Council

(613) 277-3930 netco@carolmacleod.com www.ceca.org/netco

International

Jennifer Mefford

National Co-chair, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program

(248) 318-7885 jennifermefford@comcast.net www.evitp.org