Aug. 12, 2019 – The National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO), jointly sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Canada and the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA), presented its 2019 Leadership Excellence Award to Chris Taran, RSE, yesterday at its training conference in Vancouver.

The annual award honours industry professionals across Canada for outstanding contributions to success in apprenticeship and continuing electrical training. Taran (pictured) is director of apprenticeship and training at IBEW Local 2085 in Winnipeg.

Prior to joining IBEW 2085, Taran worked in the electrical trades for more than 20 years and earned his certification of qualification as a construction electrician and his diploma as a technical vocational instructor.

In his current role, he manages pre-employment classes, champions Red Seal occupational standards, promotes the skilled trades, has helped develop a virtual reality (VR) orientation program for new construction workers, volunteers for Skills Canada and speaks at high schools and career symposiums.

“Mr. Taran is a leader in innovation and leadership to electrical apprenticeship,” says NETCO treasurer and CECA president David Mason.