In my first 90 days as the new Executive Director of the Louisville Chapter, I have the privilege of meeting apprentices, interviewing them and as co-partnering with Local 369 to ensure we have the best program in the country…we do, by the way. It continues to be an amazing experience. Not only are they earning and learning, they are also learning about leading and culture. The path to Apprentice to CEO is lit with numerous opportunities along the way. Prior to becoming ED, I had no involvement or prior knowledge about the Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) Louisville Electric – JATC.  It’s a collaborative program between Local 369 and NECA to provide structured apprenticeship training in skilled trades. I should have. I should have been a staunch supporter of all the trades. Unfortunately, my prior career path was in higher education where I earned advanced degrees and once believed a college degree was the only path to success, I now see the world differently. A college diploma is no longer a guarantee to land a job with strong middle-class earnings. As a matter of fact, the high cost of college is saddling students with debt. Would you rather be making six figures or giving away six-figures? The argument for college being the only path to prosperity is outdated and misguided. The skillset and knowledge needed in today’s advanced technology driven world is unique, valuable and in-depth. I am now a passionate advocate for trade schools and community colleges. The reason is simple: our community’s future—and our nation’s prosperity—depends on it.

The Skilled Labor Crisis: A Looming Challenge

Across the country, the skilled trades are facing a crisis. In six years, approximately 15% of electrical construction workers will retire, yet demand for these professionals is projected to rise by 25%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for 80,000 new electrician jobs annually through 2031. This isn’t just statistics, it’s a call to action. Our schools, life-saving hospitals and life-changing nonprofits, churches, entertainment venues, and even our little league fields and parks depend on the skilled hands and minds of union electrical workers. Without them, our community’s progress stalls.

Earning While Learning: A Pathway to Prosperity

Trade schools and community colleges offer something traditional universities cannot: the opportunity to earn while you learn. IBEW Apprenticeships in the electrical field, for example, provide a living wage, benefits, and a clear path to a rewarding career without the crushing burden of student debt. For anyone willing to commit, this is a real chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. Trade Schools and community colleges should be first, before the traditional higher education system. They can no longer be dismissed as the “stepchild of the higher education system.”

Building Community, Investing in the Future

Electrical contractors aren’t just wiring buildings—they’re creating community. They are building life-saving hospitals, life-changing nonprofits, vibrant parks and little league fields. They’re integrating advanced technologies into businesses, making our public spaces safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Since 1956, the partnership between NECA-Louisville Chapter and IBEW 369 continually invests in the Apprenticeship Program, making Louisville’s program a national model for excellence. Apprentices learn in immersive labs, guided by experienced instructors, and graduates ready to take on large projects like battery plants, automobile and heavy equipment plants. All the things our economy depends on.  The path from Apprenticeship to CEO is illuminated with numerous examples of company leaders right here in Louisville.

Hands-On, Minds-On Learning

The success of our program is rooted in hands-on, minds-on learning in the classroom and on job sites. Apprentices don’t just read about electrical systems, they build them. They solve real-world problems, work in teams, and develop the critical thinking skills employers crave. This approach produces not just skilled workers, but innovators and leaders.

A Call to Parents, Students, and Policymakers

It’s time to rethink what it means to be “college ready.” For many, the best path isn’t a four-year degree, it’s a trade school or community college, where opportunity is waiting. Parents, encourage your kid to explore these options as early as middle school. KEES money can be used for trade schools. Students know that your talents are needed and valued. Local, state and federal policymakers and grant-making foundations should invest more in these programs, they are the backbone of our community’s future. The outcomes are there.

I am proud of my academic background, but I am even prouder to champion the skilled trades. Let’s give every young person in Louisville—and across America—the chance to build, to lead, and to thrive.

Our future is in their hands. Let’s make sure those hands are ready. To learn more about the Louisville JATC click here: https://www.loujatc.com/

I’m honored and excited to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Louisville Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). While I come to this role from outside the electrical construction field, I bring with me a deep appreciation for what makes an industry thrive: strong culture, bold leadership, and a growth mindset. 

In just a short time immersed in this world, I’ve seen firsthand that electrical construction is much more than wires and blueprints—it’s about people, progress, and potential. Behind every successful project is a team of skilled individuals in various roles—apprentices, journeypersons, estimators, project managers, and business leaders—each playing a vital part in keeping our communities powered and connected. 

What excites me most about joining NECA Louisville is the opportunity for collaboration with so many local community leaders, Local 369, and to support the next generation of electricians and industry leaders. Apprenticeships are the backbone of our future workforce, and I believe deeply in creating pathways for individuals to enter the trade, grow their skills, and rise to leadership positions. Whether someone is just beginning as an apprentice or is aiming to become a foreman, supervisor, or even company owner, there are real, rewarding career opportunities in this field. 

Leadership doesn’t only come with a title—it grows through mentorship, learning, and a willingness to adapt. That’s why I’m committed to fostering a culture within our chapter that values personal and professional development at every level. We’ll continue to champion programs that empower workers, support contractors, and build bridges between generations of expertise. 

As I get to know our members, partners, and community leaders, I look forward to listening, learning, and working alongside you to ensure that our chapter remains a leader in innovation, safety, and excellence in electrical construction. 

Together, let’s power a strong, inclusive, and forward-thinking future for our industry. 

With gratitude, 

Michael J. Buckman, M.Ed.  

Executive Director 
NECA Louisville Chapter 

When I became the new Executive Director of Louisville Chapter of NECA, I knew I had a huge learning curve ahead of me. I spent my career in higher education and nonprofit work. The electrical construction industry is changing rapidly and is complicated. Just a couple of weeks on the job, I had the opportunity to tour the Kentuckiana Electrical Apprenticeship and Training (LEJATC). https://www.loujatc.com/  

This is a Joint Apprenticeship Training program with Local IBEW 369.  As someone who spent time in higher education, earned advanced degrees, and once believed college was the only path to success, I now see the world differently. A college diploma is not the only path to land a job with strong middle-class earnings. That argument is outdated and misguided. The skillset and knowledge needed in today’s advanced technology-driven world are unique, valuable, and in-depth. Serving as the Executive Director of the NECA Louisville Chapter, I am a passionate advocate for trade schools and community colleges. Something I should have been doing in my entire career. The reason is simple: our community’s future—and our nation’s prosperity—depends on it. Furthermore, trade schools should be championed in middle school, high schools and championed as a “First Opportunity” and not a “fallback” or a “last hope” opportunity.  

The Skilled Labor Crisis: A Looming Challenge 

Across the country, skilled trades are facing a crisis. In six years, approximately 15% of electrical construction workers will retire, yet demand for these professionals is projected to rise by 25%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for 80,000 new electrician jobs annually through 2030. This isn’t just statistics, it’s a call to action. Our schools, life-saving hospitals and life-changing nonprofits, churches, entertainment venues, and even our little league fields and parks depend on the skilled hands and minds of union electrical workers. Without them, our community’s progress stalls. 

Earning While Learning: A Pathway to Prosperity 

Trade schools and community colleges offer something traditional universities cannot: the opportunity to earn while you learn. IBEW Apprenticeships in the electrical field, for example, provide a living wage, benefits, and a clear path to a rewarding career without the crushing burden of student debt. For anyone willing to commit, this is a real chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. Trade Schools and community colleges should be first, before the traditional higher education system. They can no longer be dismissed as the “stepchild of the higher education system.” 

Building Community, Investing in the Future 

Electrical contractors aren’t just wiring buildings—they’re creating community. They’re integrating advanced technologies, making our public spaces safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Since 1956, the partnership between NECA-Louisville Chapter and IBEW 369 continually invests in the Apprenticeship Program, making Louisville’s program a national model for excellence. Apprentices learn in immersive labs, guided by experienced instructors, and graduates ready to take on large projects like battery plants, automobile and heavy equipment plants. All the things our economy depends on. The path from apprenticeship to CEO is illuminated with numerous examples of company leaders right here in Louisville. 

Hands-On, Minds-On Learning 

The success of our program is rooted in hands-on, minds-on learning in the classroom and on job sites. Apprentices don’t just read about electrical systems; they build them. They solve real-world problems, work in teams, and develop the critical thinking skills employers crave. This approach produces not just skilled workers, but innovators and leaders. 

A Call to Parents, Students, and Policymakers 

It’s time to rethink what it means to be “college ready.” For many, the best path isn’t a four-year degree, it’s a trade school or community college, where opportunity is waiting. Parents encourage your kid to explore these options as early as middle school. KEES money can be used for trade schools. Students know that your talents are needed and valued. Local, state and federal policymakers and grant-making foundations should invest more in these programs; they are the backbone of our community’s future. The outcomes are here. 

I am proud of my academic background, but I am even prouder to champion skilled trades. Let’s give every young person in Louisville—and across America—the chance to build, to lead, and to thrive. 

Our future is in their hands. Let’s make sure those hands are ready. 

Michael J. Buckman, M.Ed.  

Executive Director 

Louisville Chapter of NECA  

One of the bridges connecting Louisville, Kentucky with Southern Indiana has a bright new look. And the residents of the area can partly thank a National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) member-contractor for that.

Louisville-based Advanced Electrical Systems (AES) recently finished the installation of approximately 1,500 LED lights on the Big Four Bridge, which is used for walkers and bikers.

The scope of the project, which lasted about six months with an average crew of 12, consisted of mounting the lights, running fiber glass conduits the full length of the bridge and installing fiber cabling from the Kentucky base of the bridge to the Indiana side.

James Strange, AES’s vice president, said his company, founded in 1993 and certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise, was proud to take on a project of such civic importance.

“This is a landmark,” Strange said. “To know we helped change the skyline of the city for the better was an honor.”

Pedestrians could continue to use the bridge for the duration of the project, so a communication plan and the use of a proper layout were vital. The bridge stands 200 feet above the Ohio River and is an additional 100 feet tall. Strange said there were no injuries or incidents.

“I think it looks amazing,” Strange said. “It’s been great. It brought a lot of attention and revitalization to downtown.”

Now, the bridge is decked out in special computerized lighting capable of illuminating the span in patterns of dancing, colorful lighting that will be visible for miles up and down the river every night. Each light should last at least 10 years and require almost no maintenance, Strange said.

The system will include intense spotlights and wide-beam floodlights attached to the steel structure — spaced atop and under the arches and along the deck — as well as flat LEDs placed inside many hollow beams.

Big Four Station Lighting Aerial Fly Over – Jeffersonville, IN from Harvey Photography on Vimeo.

The lights can be programmed to be varied for different occasions, such as green for Saint Patrick’s Day, Strange said. They also could have a pattern of red and blue to promote University of Kentucky and University of Louisville sporting events or pink for breast-cancer awareness.

The changing light patterns “will be the crown jewel of the whole Big Four project,” said David Karem, executive director of the Waterfront Development Corp., which oversees the park and the Big Four for the city, according to the Courier-Journal in Louisville. “The lighting should make the Big Four, which is already perhaps the most popular attraction in the city, even more popular.”

For more information on Advanced Electrical Systems, visit www.aeslou.com.

ConsensusDocs publishes a comprehensive catalog of 100+ documents that cover all your construction contract document needs.
ConsensusDocs are the only standard contracts developed by a diverse coalition of more than 40 leading associations (including NECA!) with members from all stakeholders in the design and the construction industry.
ConsensusDocs contracts incorporate best practices and fairly allocate risk to help reduce costly contingencies and adversarial negotiations.
Here are three new things recently announced by ConsensusDocs::

In an ongoing effort to improve the industry, the ConsensusDocs Coalition has released all its bond forms as part of a free package.
A new agreement for testing hazardous waste (ConsensusDocs 749) is now available.
The Coalition has also released a new owner and design professional agreement (ConsensusDocs 840) for use when the owner hires or acts as its own construction manager.
FREE BOND FORMS
ConsensusDocs publishes performance, payment, and bid bond forms. These forms offer more specific choices including subcontractor performance and payment bonds, design-build bonds (the only bond forms specific to design-build that provide an option to cover design liability), and warranty bonds. Now, they’re all available for free to the design and construction community.

“The importance of bond forms is often overlooked. Fair and balanced bonds can facilitate maximum competition, limit contingencies, and help ensure project viability,” states Joanne Brooks, Vice President & Counsel at The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), a member of the ConsensusDocs Coalition. “Providing complimentary access to the ConsensusDocs industry-standard bond forms will help all project participants.”

“Fair bond forms, like those issued by ConsensusDocs, are necessary ingredients in achieving a balanced apportionment of construction risks,” states Mark McCallum, CEO of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP). “Bond forms containing onerous terms subvert the ability of project owners to realize maximum competition for contracts, even precluding small and disadvantaged firms from the ability to seek contract awards. NASBP applauds the decision to make ConsensusDocs bond forms available at no charge, aptly demonstrating ConsensusDocs’ adherence to its mission to improve the industry through dissemination of fair standardized forms.”

– See more at: http://www.necanet.org/news/news-release-archive/news/2015/08/03/consensusdocs-offers-free-bond-forms-new-contracts-neca-member-discounts#sthash.cHrgtg9r.dpuf

The conference will be held March 17-20, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

C. Richard Barnes, former director of the Federal Mediation Conciliation Service, will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers will include NECA’s Geary Higgins and Marco Giamberardino and Larry Bradley, Gary Lieber, Jim Cole and Tiffany Downs

– See more at: http://www.necanet.org/news/news-release-archive/news/2014/12/08/2015-labor-relations-conference-early-registration-is-now-open#sthash.PUXuvk4c.dpuf

There are steps that can be taken to reduce the risks of death and injury from a home fire this holiday season. It is critical that families keep fire safety in mind while enjoying this festive, exciting and extremely busy time of year.

Take steps to protect your family and home from holiday season fires by visiting the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) website, HolidaySafety.org »

– See more at: http://www.necanet.org/news/news-release-archive/news/2014/12/05/holiday-dos-and-don’ts#sthash.BgcPcMDx.dpuf