ECAS Members:    

We are pleased to introduce our eighth edition of our online newsletter.  Please share this within your organization by forwarding to colleagues, or go to the "Join our Mailing List" tab on the side bar link in the newsletter. 
Your comments are welcome.  Contact us at [email protected]
 



ECAS Logo
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN
 
The Conduit
Edition # 8
WINTER 2015
In This Issue
 Upcoming Meetings
Board Meeting & AGM
January 28,2016  
BOD 1:00 - 2:00
AGM 2:00 - 3:00 
Humboldt Electric Board Room
847 57th St. E
Saskatoon
  
 All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

 
 Copper Sponsors
 

 
Quick Links

CECA Newsletter
 
ECAS Website
ECAS is moving!
The association will be moving into our new office at the 
Regina Skills and Trades Centre 1278 Albert Street, Regina effective January 5,2016.   The board approved the move at the December BOD meeting. We look forward to our new location and the many new opportunities it presents including: staff office space,   access to a board room for meetings and member events (parking space), and access to shops and classrooms for future educational and training events. In addition, we are changing our mailing address and email coordinates.  Please note the information below and update your company files.

ECAS
PO Box 21007
Regina, SK
S4V 1J4

Doug Folk 306.537.0982 [email protected]

Howard Jesse 306.539.3939 [email protected]
Executive Director's Report 
Your ECAS Board and staff have been very active in the past few months. 
 
The desired impact is that we continue to add membership which is the lifeline of our Association. This in turn, allows to enhance our influence on decision makers in the electrical industry. If you have the opportunity, stop by for a coffee and get a tour of this state of the art training facility.
 
This newsletter will go into details on current ECAS initiatives, so rather than going into details I will list them and encourage you to read the articles posted in the newsletter. Also, please feel free to contact the ECAS office at any time to further discuss the position ECAS should take in shaping the direction of the electrical industry in Saskatchewan.
 
Current Initiatives:
 
  • Bylaw renewal
  • Meetings with local electrical associations
  • Prompt Payment Committees
    • Mechanical Contractors
    • Saskatchewan Construction Association
    • Mandatory Code Renewal Survey/Recommendations to Sask Power
    • Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Plan
    • Members benefit program with Aurora Financial
    • Preferred Contractor Status and Permit fee reduction
    • Website Upgrades
    • Plans for a new Education program
    • Saskatchewan Electrical Industry fall meeting
    • ECAS December Board meeting
    • Planning for spring Board Strategic Planning Session
    • Committee meetings to discuss SaskPower Energy Efficiency Programs for Commercial Customers
 
Please take a few minutes to review the entire newsletter for up-to-date announcements about the electrical industry. Also, a reminder your  ECAS Website; www.ecasask.ca will provide you with minutes of ECAS Board and committee meetings.
 
Finally, a reminder that your ECAS membership will be coming due January 1, 2016. We look forward to serving electrical contractors and all members in the coming year.
 
Sincerely,
 
Doug Folk / ECAS Executive Director

 
Profile of your President 
ECAS Board Profile
Allan Gibb ECAS President
 Allan has been owner /operator  at Amtech Electric, a family run      business in Saskatoon, for the last 23 years.  Throughout his career in  the industry Allan has always focused on " the excitement of the trade as  it evolves and requires constant changes and training to stay current  and profitable. " He has served the industry in a variety of capacities  including the president of the Saskatoon Contractors Association, the  Board of ECAS for seven years and as your President since 2015.  

 Allan is the father of four adult children and has also been involved in  his community as a director on the Saskatoon Hilltops board of  directors. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Hilltops to raise the  funds for the recent fantastic upgrades to Gordie Howe Bowl.  

 Allan enjoys golf and is a car enthusiast.  You can see him (if you don't  blink) driving his Hilltop blue sports car around the city. 

 He is an active proponent for the industry and the trade: "It is a very  exciting industry; a place where your talent and motivation can provide  you a great career in an ever changing industry from data to high  voltage.  Pick what you like get your apprenticeship and pursue your  dreams." 
Membership Drive 2016
Our 2016 membership renewal and new member program is now underway.  Early in the new year you will receive your renewal invoices.   Please note due to the office move reported earlier in this edition, we have a new mail address and email coordinates.  All this is contained on the invoice header.  
Our membership information is also on our website under the membership tab.  We will also be doing an extensive mail out to all licensed contractors in the province encouraging them to get involved and become members.  Please let your acquaintances and business colleagues know about us and encourage their support, especially the supply and design communities. 

Our membership has grown significantly over the past 2 years (125%) and we intend to continue this trend.  Our new 2016 workplan includes additional programming,  support for members and a stronger voice for our industry.  Your membership is critical to this mandate.  Please renew at your earliest convince and encourage companies to join.  You will note on the membership form a category that includes: engineers agents, manufacturers, suppliers and engineers.  They exist because we do the work. Please make a point of reminding them of this and encourage them to become members; we need their input to truly reflect the needs and aspirations of our  industry.  We will report our membership numbers in our Spring newsletter.  
Winter Board Meeting & AGM
The Board of Directors will be meeting on Thursday, January 28th in Saskatoon from 9:00-11:00 followed by our AGM.  All members are invited to attend.  If you want a copy of the agenda and attachments, contact our office.  Minutes of the meeting and future meeting dates will be posted on the ECAS website members only section.  
ECAS announces new Scholarship!
The Board approved two scholarships for current apprentices employed by member companies, one each for a second and fourth year apprentice. The scholarships will be $500 each and will include a $500 Klein Tool credit, compliments of Jim Mojdeski at Titan Marketing.  The scholarships will be awarded to apprentices who have achieved a very high standard in their course work and testing.  SCA staff will work with the SATCC to determine the eligible candidates.  The inaugural presentation will take place in January 2016 hopefully coordinated with our AGM.  Future presentations will take place at the annual SATCC awards banquets held in October. Recipients and their companies will be contacted to coordinate the presentation and photo opportunity.  
Project Management Course
Take the next step in your career with Saskatchewan Polytechnic's convenient, flexible, online Project Management Certificate program.  Professional project management is a highly valued and transferable skill set with excellent earning potential.  This 14-week program includes six courses to help you learn practical project management processes by working through a project that you choose, from initiation to closeout.  The program can be completed entirely online from the comfort of your home or office and at times that are convenient to you.
The Applied Project Management program has helped hundreds of students advance their careers and get their Project Management Professional (PMP�), Gold Seal and Blue Seal credentials.
This certificate program is offered three times per year, starting in September, January or April, and it is possible to complete the certificate in as little as 14 weeks, or spread out enrollment over several terms, up to two years.  The program is eligible for various funding options, including the Canada Saskatchewan Job Grant, which will reimburse employers two thirds of the cost of tuition and expenses.  For more information, contact Linda.O'[email protected] or 306-775-7480.

Sask Economy: a forward look 
   
For the complete article and subscription information go to : www.sasktrends.ca
Member Benefit Plan Coming in 2016!
New ECAS Health & Dental Benefit Program
In partnership with Aurora Solutions from Saskatoon we are excited to announce a new  ECAS health & dental benefit program coming in January 2016! This new program will feature a variety of plan options and will be exclusive  to ECAS members. ECAS members will have the opportunity to custom tailor the benefit plan to suit the needs of their employees. You can choose to add short, or long term disability, various levels of prescription drug coverage, other health benefits, vision, as well as various levels of dental & orthodontic options. The plan features preferred pricing exclusive to ECAS members, as well as options for discounted HR and monthly payroll services. Participation in the plan also helps support ECAS value added initiatives to you, its members. Watch for more details coming out in January 2016!

Electrical Liaison Committee Report
The Electrical Liaison Committee hosted our Winter meeting on December 8th and among other topics focused on the following areas:
-Sask Power CLI program
-Preferred Contractors Status
-Apprenticeship Harmonization
ECAS meets quarterly with the Inspections Branch of Sask Power,  Licensing (Building Standards Department Ministry of Government  Relations), Association of Contracting Engineers and Apprenticeship.  
ECAS members represent you to address 
concerns, legislative policy, practices  or interpretations that affect contractors.  
If you have items, concerns or ideas for the committee, please forward to our office. We will add them to future agendas and report back directly to the sender and via the newsletter to all members.  Next meeting will be on April 12, 2016.  Complete minutes from  all past and the December 8th meeting are posted on our website (members only section).
Local Associations present scholarships
The Electrical Contractors Association of Regina Apprenticeship Scholarship applications have been completed and submitted.  The 2015 ECAS Scholarship Review Committee has evaluated each application.  We are thrilled to say that we we had a great time reviewing the essays submitted and were very impressed with the communication skills, insights and honesty that applicants demonstrated.  
The committee was very fortunate to receive many strong applications this year for each of the four levels of apprenticeship.  We had a difficult time selecting this year's recipients because of the high quality  of the applications.  
Brad Ross
ECAR President

We are very please to announce the following:
Justin Chapman  1st Year     Joe's Electric
Kael Prevost         1st Year     Active Electric
Dwayne Meier      1st Year     Apperley Electric
Grant Hawes         2nd Year   Iles Electric
Drew Carles          3rd Year    Active Electric
Kellen Tamaki       3rd Year    Beever's Electric

On behalf of the Saskatoon Electrical Contractors Association,  Kirk Simonson  presented  two scholarships at the SATCC Apprenticeship awards banquet in October.  Congratulations to the following:

Keenan Kohut, Saskatoon, Construction Electrician, 4th year 
Jordan Goldade, Saskatoon, Construction Electrician, 1st year

Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA)  Report

Note the following letter sent to all provincial associations by our CECA president. 
November 13, 2015
To All Provincial Managers,
Due to the recent announcement of Lucy Roberts departure from ECAO, this letter is to advise you that  the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) will continue in its day to day business operations 
as usual.
The Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO) has agreed to continue its support in managing the administrative duties, however, be advised that a few administrative adjustments will occur and I ask that during this time you all remain patient. 
If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected]
I appreciate your understanding,
Sincerely,
David Mason
CECA President

As a member of ECAS you are automatically entitled to membership with CECA. You can access the members' only section on their website for publications, conference information or training opportunities.  To register go to www.ceca.org and click on the PUBLICATIONS Tab or call 1.800.387.3226 x 315 and they will set you up with a login and password. If you have any trouble getting set up please call us. We are working with them to ensure this is an easy process. Also, as a registered member you should be receiving regular updates and newsletters from CECA via email. 

Below are a few excerpts from the current newsletter.  For complete stories and much more  click here: Current CECA Newsletter

NECA MANAGEMENT EDUCATION INSTITUTE SEMINARS AVAILABLE FROM CECA
Are you interested in taking some of the seminars NECA has to offer?
To request a course, or for more information, email at [email protected] or call 416-675-3226.
Check out the new Management Education section of the CECA website for detailed information on the courses and seminars available to CECA Members: http://www.ceca.org/education/index.asp.
For more information about MEI contact [email protected].

Non Licensed Electricians 
Are you aware of any advertisements or individuals performing electrical work without a license or permit?  If you are aware of any violators please contact the Compliance Officer Guy Brideau at 306.533.0922. 
Please also report it to our office. We will be tracking this activity and lobbying legislators and enforcement divisions to end this practice.  
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday!  
On behalf of the ECAS Board, President All Gibb and the staff, may the Joy and Peace of the Season be with you and all your loved ones!  Best wishes for a Safe and Prosperous New Year!
  
Should have hired a certified electrical contractor!
holiday newsletter