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NEWS RELEASE (8/08):
Survey Reveals Americans Recognize High Quality of Union Electricians’ Work

A recent nationwide survey showed that nearly 90 percent of Americans believe that work done by union electricians is of the same or higher quality than work from non-union electricians.

A major difference between union and non-union electricians is the breadth of their training and the wide array of educational opportunities available to union electricians through the Electrical Alliance, a joint effort between the electrical contractors of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the skilled electricians of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 26 (IBEW). (Click here for full story in PDF format)

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Sports Sponsorships
The Electrical Alliance is continuing its sponsorship of three local sports teams – D.C. United, Washington’s MLS soccer team; the Bowie Baysox, the AA league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles; and the Potomac Nationals, the A league affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

The Baysox sponsorship includes print ads in their game-day program and a billboard on the outfield wall. Potomac Nationals sponsorship includes an outfield billboard and two promotional nights – Cap Giveaway Night and Fireworks Night. D.C. United sponsorship includes print ads in the game-day program and companion insert printed by El Tiempo Latino, radio spots, a field board, and a pre-game party.

Make sure to get out to one or all of these teams to have a great time and see our sponsorships in action.

Promotional Ads
A new series of print ads that promote the benefits of hiring Electrical Alliance electrical contractors has been launched in 2008. The new ads, entitled “No matter how difficult the project, our performance is electrifying” is a continuation of the campaign started in 2006 that showcases the complex types of projects skilled Electrical Alliance electrical contractors work on. In 2006, hospitals were the focus and in 2007 it was ballparks. This year's ads feature performing arts centers.

In addition, another ad in the campaign as been developed that showcases the Alliance members' work on green projects entitled, "We're well schooled in building green." The majority of LEED Certified projects in the Washington Metropolitan area were built by Electrical Alliance contractors.

The new ads appear in the Washington Metropolitan area in the DCBIA (D.C. Building Industry Association) Pipeline, IFMA (International Facility Management Association Capital Chapter) Capital News, Mid-Atlantic Construction, PMA (Property Management Association) Bulletin, Virginia Business, the WBC (Washington Building Congress) Bulletin, Washington Business Journal and Washington Contractor magazine. In Central and Southwest Virginia, the ads will appear in the Blue Ridge Business Journal and the Charlottesville Business Journal.

Fifteen, thirty and sixty-second radio commercials promoting the advantages of applying for the Electrical Alliance’s apprenticeship program, run the by Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, and encouraging nonunion electricians to join Local 26 IBEW, can be heard in English on 95.5 FM WPGC, 101.1 FM WWDC, and during D.C. United soccer games on 1160 AM WMET. Similar Spanish radio commercials can be heard on 99.1 FM WLZL and during D.C. United soccer games on 1390 AM WZHF.

Print recruitment ads promoting the advantages of applying for the Electrical Alliance’s apprenticeship program and encouraging nonunion electricians to join Local 26 IBEW will appear in Employment Guide, Roanoke Times and Roanoke American Classifieds. Print ads are also a part of the Electrical Alliance’s sports team sponsorships, and will appear during D.C. United games in its Freekick game day program and the D.C. United Extra insert in El Tiempo Latino, as well as the Bowie Baysox Playbill.

Past News

NEWS RELEASE (6/08):
Survey Reveals Americans find Green Technology Important in Public Buildings

A nationwide survey conducted by the Electrical Alliance, revealed 91 percent of Americans rated green technologies as very important or somewhat important features in public buildings such as malls, offices and stadiums.

“These results demonstrate a growing trend in the way Americans view the green building movement,” says Sonia Vargas, president of VarcoMac Electrical Construction, an Electrical Alliance member. “They want to know that the places they visit are utilizing the latest energy-saving technology.” (Click here for full story in PDF format)

NEWS RELEASE (6/08):
With Jobs Lined Up; 172 Graduate from Local Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Program
Electrical apprentices move into high paying journeyman status

As diplomas were being passed out at schools throughout the D.C. area, another kind of graduation took place on June 7, 2008 at Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD. It was the 62nd annual graduation ceremony for electrical apprentices conducted by the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC).

By combining classroom theory with on-the-job training, electrical apprentices are prepared to install and maintain the complex systems that make modern buildings comfortable and productive, with the highest quality workmanship. But unlike college, these students got paid for going to class for three to five years, depending on the program, and earning up to $150,000 while learning their trade. Graduating as “journeymen electricians” they typically earn over $70,000 a year, plus full benefits. (Click here for full story in PDF format)

NEWS RELEASE (4/08):
Electrical Alliance Members Sweep WBC Craftsmanship Awards
Electrical Alliance Electricians Win All 15 Awards in Category

On March 14, members of the Electrical Alliance, won all fifteen of the Washington Building Congress’s annual Craftsmanship Awards in the electrical category.

The Electrical Alliance is a cooperative effort between the 200 NECA electrical contractors and more than 8000 skilled electricians of the IBEW Local 26. (Click here for full story in PDF format)

NEWS RELEASE (10/07):
Electrical Alliance Lends Support to
Solar Decathlon Teams
Local electrical apprenticeship program provided electrical support to universities competing in the Solar Decathlon

On October 8th, The Electrical Alliance, a cooperative effort between electrical contractors and skilled electricians in the Washington area, sent a group of electricians to help four teams prepare for the 2007 Solar Decathlon which takes place October 12-20th.

Instructors from the Electrical Alliance’s state-of-the-art apprenticeship program, operated by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), as well as twenty apprentices helped the teams from Carnegie Mellon University, Kansas Project Solar House, University of Texas, and Team Montreal with their electrical needs. (Click here for full story in PDF format)

NEWS RELEASE (10/07):
Former Teacher Takes a New Direction this Fall
Seeking second career, Mike Miller finds satisfaction and success in electrical industry

Five years ago, Mike Miller of Silver Spring, MD was a teacher developing lesson plans and starting a new school year. But like many people, Mike was not really happy with his career and began searching for something more in line with his interests.

This past May, Mike completed a dramatic career transformation, graduating as valedictorian of his class from the Washington, D.C. Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee’s (JATC) electrical apprenticeship program. (Click here for full story in PDF format)

NEWS RELEASE (8/07):
Electrical Alliance to Sponsor Two Teams
in the Solar Decathlon

The Electrical Alliance is sponsoring two Solar Decathlon teams, the University of Maryland and Pennsylvania State University, in the fall 2007 Solar Decathlon.

The Solar Decathlon, an event that will take place this fall during October 12-20th on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., challenges twenty college teams to design, build, and operate the most energy-efficient and attractive solar-powered home. (Click here for full story in PDF format)

NEWS RELEASE (6/07):
Electrical Alliance Contractors Win 15 Awards

Mid-Atlantic Construction magazine’s Best of 2006 awards highlights the best new construction projects in the mid-Atlantic region, and covers over 20 categories.

The high-quality craftsmanship that is typical of Electrical Alliance electrical contractors helped propel them to win 15 awards this year, including the overall Project of the Year winner, the Donald Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraits in Washington, DC. (Click here for full story in PDF format)

NEWS RELEASE (12/06):
DC Contractors Pro-Active on Green Building:
The Washington Chapter of NECA hosts workshop on growing green building trend

On December 8th the Washington Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association hosted a workshop on LEED® and Green Building practices.

Given that the Washington City Council recently passed a green building ordinance, knowledge of the requirements for LEED® certification has become even more important, so it is essential for the Washington building community to stay on the forefront of this movement. (Click here for full story in PDF format)

NEWS RELEASE (7/06): Electrical Alliance Sweeps This Year’s WBC Awards

Electrical Alliance contractors swept the Washington Building Congress’ 2006 Craftsmanship Awards, winning every electrical category, including multiple wins in sub-categories like Power Generation, Distribution and Switchgear; Lighting Systems; and Special Systems.

The Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Awards are an annual event to honor the best commercial construction in the greater-Washington area. Awards range in everything from Electrical and Finishes to Masonry and Metals. It is unique among awards competitions as it honors the actual men and women who perform the work. (Click here for full story in PDF format)