ECABC is the voice of the electrical and line utility industry in British Columbia, representing approximately 150 members across the province, who collectively contribute $1.3 billion annually to the provincial economy.
On behalf of our membership, ECABC is actively engaging with governments to share the perspectives of the electrical industry, and help ensure that municipal and provincial governments are implementing policies that promote a strong and fair construction sector.
We’re committed to working collaboratively with the B.C. government, Industry Training Authority and other agencies on key issues for our members. We are currently focusing on supporting a strong training regiment to develop electrical apprentices and journey persons, the adoption of prompt payment legislation in B.C., ensuring appropriate regulation of the safe installation and maintenance of electric vehicle infrastructure, and supporting the development of important resource infrastructure and development projects to support job creation.
> Prompt Payment
Prompt Payment
One of the biggest challenges facing contractors in the construction industry is the unnecessary delay in payment that happens on many jobs.
Learn more about our efforts to get prompt payment legislation in British Columbia.
> EV Charging Stations
EV Charging Stations
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common in British Columbia. However, in order to properly support this gradual transformation in our transportation network, we need to build the necessary infrastructure to ensure that drivers can conveniently and quickly charge their electric vehicles.
ECABC supports efforts like the City of Vancouver’s recent declaration that all new residential buildings must have capacity for the same number of EV charging units as there are parking spaces. This is prudent policy making that will pay off in the long term.
ECABC believes very strongly that there should be clear regulations in place that require EV charging station maintenance and installation to be done exclusively by appropriately trained and certified electrician journeyperson.
> Trades Training
Trades Training
One of the top priorities for ECABC’s membership is to ensure British Columbia is training enough electrical apprentices at all levels each year to meet the future demand for journeypersons. Without an adequate number of journeyperson electricians, the province will not be able to keep up with the pace of growth and advancement, especially as our cities and transportation networks rely increasingly on renewable electricity.
The Association is actively engaged with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, and the Industry Training Authority to identify the best path forward to work together to achieve our shared goal of a strong development system for apprentices in every region of the province.
ECABC has proposed a comprehensive review of the current list of apprentices to ensure that the data we have accurately reflects the number of apprentices moving through the system. This verified data will allow for the best planning in the future to assure that enough resources are being allocated to schools in the right regions to meet projected workforce needs to help move British Columbia forward.