May 24, 2018 – Carol MacLeod, the founding executive director of NETCO (National Electrical Trade Council), announced she is stepping down, effective June 30, 2018.

NETCO is jointly sponsored by IBEW Canada and the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) to address workforce development for Red Seal electrical trades.

Carol was instrumental in the organization’s 2006 launch and in building the industry funding model that has enabled the council to flourish, says NETCO. She has provided national leadership in promoting Red Seal standards and innovative training, and in establishing new green skills training and certification programs.

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“The NETCO board would like to pay tribute to Carol for her diligence, advocacy and vision, and wishes her success in her future ventures,” says the board.

Carol’s successor is Melissa Young, who served as chair of the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) Communication & Promotion Committee (2009-2014), and regional coordinator of the Atlantic Apprenticeship Harmonization Project (2014-2016). Most recently, she served as assistant director in the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification branch of the Government of New Brunswick, and on the board of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF).

Before moving to government, Melissa served as executive director of the Carpenters Training Centre of New Brunswick (2000-2009). She is also a past chair of the New Brunswick Construction Safety Association.

NETCO’s board of directors also recently elected two new directors, nominated by CECA. Terry Milot, RSE, is a long-time board member with Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta (ECAA) and a CECA board member since 2015. He is executive vice-president at Chemco Electrical Contractors Ltd.

R. Graeme Aitken, LLB, LLM, is the executive director of Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO). He possesses over 30 years of experience in the unionized construction industry across Canada.

The NETCO board thanks outgoing directors Garry Fitzpatrick and Dan Lancia for their leadership and contribution to the success of NETCO.