Now Is the Time to Support Our Canadian Students

Apr 9, 2020

By John Jefkins

Now is the time to demonstrate support for university and college students and showcase the electrical industry as a great career destination. In light of COVID-19, universities and colleges are closed, which means many students are returning home. For some, returning home may present a number of different financial and mental health challenges. These students are the future leaders in our industry.

In my member engagement meetings with leaders from all organization sizes, in addition to leading the EFC Human Resources Network, there is a common theme: the need for great, young talent. This is supported by members of the EFC community who’ve ranked talent as the number one game-changer affecting the electrical industry.
This talent need is driven by two key factors. First, the “tsunami” of retirements. Ten thousand employees from within EFC’s member organizations currently over the age of 55 may retire within the next 10 years. Second, there is a need for new skills as our industry continues to drive innovation in areas such as electrification, digitization, robotics and intelligent buildings.

The 2015 EFC Research Report, Talent: A Playbook for Adapting to the 21st Century, highlighted the importance of talent attraction:

“We need to spread knowledge about our industry, that it is exciting and full of opportunities – and is sustainable and solid. If we can’t/don’t want to compete for talent with ‘trendy’ industries, we need to determine how to attractively differentiate ourselves.”

The shift in the working landscape may be very different as a result of COVID-19. Many companies are now reducing staff and redefining their business product and processes. Attracting new talent and upskilling and reskilling employees will become critical components of an effective business strategy as the competition for talent soars.

EFC already has a solution with its annual EFC Scholarship Program. This initiative is even more important now — during the COVID-19 crisis — than in any of its 24 years of existence. Providing over $140,000 across 55 scholarships, this program offers students hope. Students have an opportunity to apply for a scholarship and potentially receive funding. It also motivates and reinforces their skills as the eligibility requirements for the program include proof of volunteer, employment and school accomplishments. Participating EFC member companies also have access to student applicants for future part-time, co-op and full-time roles available within their organization.

How can your organization do its part?

1. Promote the EFC Scholarship Program to your employees, friends, family, customers, vendors, etc. Many may have students back living at home and will appreciate you sharing this program.

2. Share this initiative with other departments in your organization.

3. Spread the word about the program on your company and personal social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Learn more about the EFC Scholarship Program at https://scholarship.electrofed.com/
https://scholarship.electrofed.com/content/RQAward_EFC_SCHOLAR_FR.html

In addition to the Scholarship Program, EFC provides several other resources to support business leaders in the areas of talent attraction, retention and training:

• TalentNest — a job-posting portal to assist business leaders in their recruitment efforts. Visit TalentNest here.

• The Young Professionals Network (YPN) — a program that provides young professionals, employed at an EFC member company, with networking and skills development opportunities. Learn more about the YPN here.

• EFC will also be launching a new research report this year titled [IT]Talent Availability for an Emerging Workforce[IT], which will address how shifts in the electrical industry are impacting talent availability needs. It will also speak to the strategies organizations must adopt to build stronger workforces for the future. Stay tuned for the details here.

Join EFC as this is the time to rally around Canadian university and college students, show concern and support, and to demonstrate how a career in the electrical industry can be professionally and personally rewarding.

John Jefkins is Vice President, Member Engagement & Corporate Partnerships, Electro-Federation Canada.

Partnering For The Next Step

Siemens Canada Welcome to the Digital Enterprise Virtual Summit brought to you by Siemens

How quickly can you react to changing conditions and demands in your market? How can you ensure your production will run securely at any time in the future?

Industry’s digital and technological transformation is the answer for meeting today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and market needs.

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To explore these possibilities, we’re bringing together top-level speakers, specialists and decision-makers from various industries and experts from Siemens to the Digital Enterprise Virtual Summit under the motto “Partnering for the next step.”

This virtual summit will be an interactive digital event featuring first-hand experiences and success stories achieved with industrial digitalization and automation solutions, and cutting-edge technologies.

Join us on July 16 and learn from customers and experts how you can respond efficiently, flexibly and safely to the changing market environment.

To cover as many different time zones as possible, we offer two almost identical live sessions – you can also watch them on demand at your convenience:

Sessions runs from : 9:30 am to 2:15 pm ET (3:30 pm to 8:15 pm CEST)

A Paradigm Shift

By John Jefkins

In 2011, I started working in the electrical arena and quickly noticed that there was a high employee retention rate within the industry. Today, I regularly engage with Electro-Federation Canada members with 20, 30 and even 40 plus year tenures. Other industries I had worked in previously, such as telecommunications, had higher turnover rates.

Our industry faces an increasing need for talent, with new retirements and product/process innovations and modernization driving the need for specialized roles — some not even known yet.

How the Digital Twin Market Is Set to Grow to US$35.8b Annually Over the Next Few Years

A recent Markets & Markets report estimates the Digital Twin market will grow from US$3.8 billion in 2019, to US$35.8 billion per year by 2025, at a CAGR of 45.4%. Digital Twin software is already revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, architecture, aerospace, defence, and automotive and transportation.

Furthermore, the global smart infrastructure market, which includes the Digital Twin sector, is expected to thrive at a considerable CAGR between 2020 and 2025 as demand for the smart infrastructure has been a booming year on year, reports Market Research Explore - details.

PNNL Study Targets Authentication Vulnerability of Connected Lighting Systems

By Craig DiLouie

The U.S. Department of Energy has released the results of a study examining authentication vulnerabilities in connected lighting systems (CLS). Particularly as emerging CLS incorporate distributed intelligence, network interfaces and sensors, they can serve as data-collection platforms that enable a wide range of valuable new capabilities as well as greater energy savings in buildings and cities. However, CLS technology is currently at an early stage of development, and its increased connectivity introduces cybersecurity risks that are new to the lighting industry and must be addressed for successful integration with other systems.

Evaluating eCommerce Companies, Forrester-style

By David Gordon

COVID-19 has heightened the benefit of, and interest in, eCommerce for electrical distributors. Our second and third COVID-19 Electrical Market Sentiment Reports have shown that those with an eCommerce offering have seen online sales increases. Further, from conversations with distributors, their site activity increased. The benefit is that these companies had lower sales declines (and some increases), and were able to better serve their customers.

A further benefit is that their remote workforce had access to an online resource, other than manufacturers, for quick, easy, product research.

Northern Cables Break Ground on Brockville ...

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Partnering For The Next Step

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