November 1, 2022 – It seems everyone continues to feel the strain—and pain—of both issues in the supply chain and the labour market, but it is perhaps our manufacturers and distributors who are feeling those woes more acutely.

I consider them as being on the front line because, before a product can come to you for purchase and installation, they first need to produce it then distribute it.

At AD’s recent North American Meeting for the Electrical division in Colorado, I had the opportunity to chat with numerous top-tier manufacturers. A common woe they expressed is the lack of (or delay in receiving) the materials they need to produce the products you buy, compounded by a lack of people in their plants to actually make those products.

One manufacturer was telling me he has about 40 vacancies in his plant, and he would like to see them filled right now.

So while the electrical trades (and other skilled trades) are getting much-deserved attention and promotion from both Ottawa and the provinces, I feel as though a couple of very important segments are not getting the attention that they, too, deserve.

And it’s not that manufacturers and distributors have been resting on their laurels with regard to “the top game-changer affecting their organization”. Outside of individual recruitment efforts they carry out in their own communities, their association here in Canada—Electro-Federation Canada—continues to orchestrate the EFC Scholarship Program, one of the more lucrative scholarship programs in Canada, year after year.

Besides helping students financially, the program highlights the electrical industry as a great career destination, and offers the opportunity for students to engage with EFC member companies, offering employment and career opportunities.

But will this be enough? My gut says, No. We need more exposure for careers in these organizations that are aligned with—and support—our skilled trades.

— Anthony Capkun, acapkun@ebmag.com.

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