top of page
Search

NEWSLETTER JULY 2025: Google, PLA's & Project Excellence Awards

Updated: 5 days ago


Google to invest in 3 local JATC's

The electrical training ALLIANCE (etA)—the national training partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)—announced a major investment in Oregon’s skilled trades, backed by a $1 million grant from Google.org’s AI Opportunity Fund.

The initiative will support five Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) across the state by increasing capacity for apprentice intake and embedding artificial intelligence (AI) training into existing programs. As part of this effort, apprentices will gain access to tools like Google’s AI Essentials course, helping them build digital skills alongside hands-on electrical training.

The three-year initiative aims to grow Oregon’s electrical workforce by more than 70%, adding over 1,500+ new apprentices across all five participating programs.

Among those selected are the NECA–IBEW training partnerships in IBEW Local 280, IBEW Local 659, and IBEW Local 932, which serve Oregon’s Central, Southern, and Coastal regions. These programs will receive targeted support to expand outreach and recruitment while modernizing training delivery in response to evolving contractor needs.

“This investment helps ensure that our training programs not only grow - but evolve,” said Monique de Boer, Executive Manager of the Oregon Pacific Cascade Chapter of NECA. “By aligning what’s taught in the classroom with what contractors need on job sites - especially in emerging markets like EV infrastructure, energy storage, and smart buildings - we’re building a highly capable workforce, not just a bigger one.”

To support implementation, the Chapter is coordinating with training directors at each local program and encouraging feedback from NECA contractors to help guide how AI-related content is integrated. The goal is to ensure the enhanced training aligns with field-level needs in areas such as commissioning, low-voltage systems, and building automation.

“Our members are navigating increasingly technical and fast-moving project demands,” de Boer added. “This initiative reinforces our commitment to equipping them with a workforce that’s not only qualified, but future-ready.”

To learn more about Google’s infrastructure investments, visit: https://blog.google/inside-google/infrastructure



2025 Top 40 Electrical Design Firms Set New Records — Projects in the Spotlight

The electrical design industry is powering forward—literally. According to EC&M’s latest Top 40 Electrical Design Firms Special Report, the nation's top firms posted a record-setting $5.223 billion in combined revenue in 2024, marking an impressive 18% year-over-year increase.

What’s behind the surge? A strong market climate and increasing demand for high-performance, tech-enabled design solutions. A full 78% of firms reported favorable business conditions, backed by expanding backlogs and major projects across commercial, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.

Leading firms shared photos and highlights from their most notable projects of 2024. The wide range of work on display—spanning stadiums, manufacturing plants, hospitals, and data centers—reflects the sector’s diversity and the critical role electrical design plays in modern construction. From CPKC Stadium to cutting-edge data infrastructure, these projects showcase not just scale and complexity, but the increasing integration of advanced technologies in the design phase, including:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Augmented Reality (AR)

  • Virtual Reality (VR)

These tools are helping firms improve collaboration, reduce rework, and better meet evolving client demands.

To see the complete list of Top 40 Electrical Design Firms for 2025, CLICK HERE.



Oregon Heat Pump Program Now Seeking Contractors

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) is actively recruiting licensed contractors to participate in its newly launched Oregon Heat Pump Purchase Program, aimed at lowering emissions and expanding access to efficient home heating and cooling systems.

🛠 Contractor Opportunity

Contractors who join the program will:

  • Install eligible heat pump systems

  • Apply for rebates on behalf of homeowners, property owners, or developers

  • Pass savings directly to customers (no upfront cost to the customer)

💰 Rebate Details

  • Up to $2,000 in state rebates

  • Homeowners may also qualify for an additional $2,000 federal tax credit, for a potential $4,000 total savings

  • Funded through Oregon’s $197M federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant

📅 Key Dates

  • Contractor applications are open now

  • Public incentive applications begin June 17, 2025

  • Heat pumps must be installed after June 17 to qualify

🚫 Limits Per Contractor


To ensure broad access, contractors may claim up to:

  • 50 incentives per quarter, or

  • 200 per year

With over 12,000 units expected to be installed in the coming years, this is a key opportunity for electrical and HVAC contractors to grow their business while helping Oregonians reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.



You're Invited: Picnic at the Park – Friday, September 5, 2025!

Join ORPAC NECA and IBEW Local 280 for a fun-filled afternoon at the Eugene Emeralds field as we host a special Picnic at the Park to celebrate our electrical workforce and build stronger contractor-union connections. The game begins at 1:05 p.m. as the Emeralds take on the Spokane Indians.

This family-friendly, all-you-can-eat event is a great way to show appreciation for our members, spotlight workforce development, and share our story with the community. Bring your team, your family, and your appetite—this is a day to relax, connect, and cheer together.

📅 Date: Friday, September 5, 2025🕐 Time: Game starts at 1:05 p.m. (Picnic starts before first pitch!)📍 Location: Eugene Emeralds Field – 1st Base Picnic Area🍔 Includes: BBQ buffet, ballpark access, shaded seating, and more!





Workforce Survey: Perception & Impact of 4x10 Schedules

ELECTRI International is conducting a short survey as part of a new research project examining the real-world impact of 4×10 work schedules in the electrical construction industry.

We’re seeking input directly from the field workforce — specifically Journeyman Wiremen and Construction Wiremen — to better understand how these schedules are affecting productivity, morale, and jobsite dynamics.

📣 Why it matters:Their insights will inform ELECTRI’s future research and guide recommendations that can improve workforce planning, retention, and job satisfaction across the industry.

🕐 The survey only takes a few minutes and is a chance for workers’ voices to be heard in shaping the future of field operations.



Trump Administration Directs Agencies to Use PLAs for Large Projects, With Exceptions

Despite recent executive actions under the Trump administration, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has confirmed that the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) mandate remains active for large federal construction projects. The clarification came in response to efforts by some federal agencies—most notably the Department of Defense—to bypass the requirement.

The Biden-era executive order requires PLAs on federal projects over $35 million, unless an agency can prove it would be impractical or increase costs. Recent court rulings have sided with labor groups like NABTU, compelling agencies to reinstate PLAs that had been dropped.

Agencies cannot impose blanket bans on PLAs, per the OMB memo. Instead, exemptions must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This marks a significant win for organized labor and ensures continued protections and job standards on major federal construction projects.

For more information, click HERE!



5 Ways Winning a NECA Project Excellence Award Grows Your Business

It’s more than a trophy—it’s a business tool.

✔ Get national exposure at NECA’s Convention

✔ Use the award badge in bids & marketing

✔ Attract top talent

✔ Boost team morale

✔ Prove your credibility to clients

Show the industry what you’re made of.

🗓 Deadline: July 3, 2025



5 Game-Changing Tech Tools for Electrical Contractors

The jobsite has gone digital—and these five tools are leading the way:

  • Cloud Platforms: Tools like Procore and Autodesk streamline RFIs, submittals, and real-time project coordination from anywhere.

  • Enhanced BIM: 3D modeling enables accurate prefabrication, clash detection, and smarter trade coordination.

  • Reality Capture: Drones, scanners, and 360° cameras track progress, verify as-builts, and flag issues before they delay schedules.

  • AI Integration: Embedded AI in estimating, scheduling, and model validation saves time and boosts accuracy—no tech degree required.

  • Robotics: Tools like breaker-testing bots and wire-pulling automation are making jobsites safer and more efficient.

👉 The future is here. Contractors who embrace it are building smarter, faster, and safer.

For more information, click HERE!



Last Chance for best prices at NECA 2025

Registration for the 2025 NECA Convention & Trade Show is now open!

📍Chapter Hotel: Hyatt Regency Chicago

Once you’ve completed your convention registration, the site will return you to your dashboard where you can access the hotel booking link.

🍽 Chapter Dinner: Ocean Prime | Sunday, September 14 | 6:30 – 9:30 PM

🔗 Click here to to RSVP for the Chapter Dinner!🌟 Register now for NECA 2025



📚Education & Safety Courses


IN PERSON:

📈 Driving Project Success | Florence, July 11, 2025

💲 Basic Estimating | Tangent, July 14-16, 2025

❤  CPR/First Aid | Florence, July 23, 2025

❤  CPR/First Aid | Tangent, July 24, 2025

👷‍♂ Foreman Development Series | September 19, 2025

WEBINARS:



Connect with us on social media

Follow us on social media for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive insights.

We’d love to hear from you! Engage with our posts, share your thoughts, and connect with like-minded professionals.



📬 Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay informed with the latest updates and insights from Oregon Pacific Cascade NECA! Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and industry news or send this link to a friend. Don't miss out - SIGN UP NOW!


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page