August 30, 2017 – British Columbia electricians now have access to a training program in advanced lighting controls via EJTC Enterprises (E2 Inc.), the BC Institute of Technology and Okanagan College.

“This partnership will provide a valuable opportunity for our local electricians and for the many sectors who rely on these skilled workers,” said Steve Moores, dean of Trades & Apprenticeship, Okanagan College.

Properly installed and maintained, advanced lighting controls (e.g. occupancy sensors) have reduced energy costs related to lighting by 25% or more for commercial, industrial and institutional users, say the partners, but a shortage of qualified installers “has created uncertainty in the construction market and slowed the spread of this technology”.

“Only the proper installation of new technologies will yield the results customers are looking for in terms of energy savings and occupant productivity and comfort,” said BC Hydro’s Dr. Cristian Suvagau. “[The program] will help electricians and electrical contractors install advanced lighting controls at the highest quality level.”

In 2014, BC Hydro formed a working group to bring the National Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (NALCTP) to Canada, which was launched four years earlier in California by a consortium of utilities, manufacturers, IBEW and community colleges. The program trains qualified electricians in the planning, installation and operation of advanced lighting controls systems.

Through the working group process and contacts in California, E2 Inc. became the primary licence-holder of NALCTP in Canada, and led the adaptation of the program to the CE Code. E2 Inc. is a training partnership between the Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia (ECABC) and IBEW Local 213.

“NALCTP training delivers an important skill to B.C. electricians, and it supports industries and organizations in reducing energy use and costs,” said Phil Davis, operations manager, E2 Inc. “BCIT and Okanagan College provided value to this project from the start. These new agreements will open the way for all of us to move forward on a great opportunity.”

Under the agreement, E2 Inc. will provide “train the trainer” services to instructors from BCIT and Okanagan College, and will certify successful candidates as NALCTP trainers. The colleges will provide training to qualified electricians; that is, those who hold a provincial or territorial CofQ.

Training at Okanagan College will take place in the Electrical Trades Department, a part of the college’s Trades and Apprenticeship Centre. BCIT, meantime, will offer NALCTP through its School of Construction and the Environment.

PHOTO 1: Wayne Hand, dean, BCIT School of Construction and Environment; Phil Davis, operations manager, E2 Inc.; Cristian Suvagau, senior engineer, BC Hydro; Steve Moores, dean of Trades and Apprenticeships, Okanagan College. Photo courtesy EJTC Enterprises Inc.

PHOTO 2: Advanced lighting controls course in progress, EJTC Green Skills Campus, Port Coquitlam. Photo courtesy EJTC Enterprises Inc.