b'The Ultimate Playbook TALENT ATTRACTION AND RETENTION WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY By Trisha Utomi, Electro-Federation Canada L performanceandproductivity.Coupledwithtalent Lets face it: attracting and retaining the right talent is no small task. In an ever-growing competitive landscape, more and more employers are doubling down on their efforts to understand the expectations of their workforce and the strategies needed to respond accordingly. And its easy to see why. Losing employees can mean everything from losing key industry knowledge to lowering staff morale to inhibiting workplace acquisitionchallengesandtheimpendingwaveofbabyboomers projectedtoretireinthenextfewyears,itsnowonderTalent Availability remains top-of-mind for countless organizations. But most recently, the electrical community could sigh with relief.Of course, one big upside of this training module is that its beneficial As part of its ongoing mandate, Electro-Federation Canada createdfor tenured employees too. Whether existing employees are looking to the Electrical Industry Playbook: An Introduction to the Market,pursue new opportunities or fine-tune strengths, the module allows its Players and the Business, an online training toolkit that helpsthem to keep skills fresh and advance industry knowledge. Its also a employers with talent attraction, engagement and development. Inkey program for teaching current staff new skills, reducing the need just one hour, access to this playbook gives employers and employeesfor companies to hire outside workers to fill in any skill gaps. at every level and department (sales, marketing, counter sales, projectUltimately,empoweringworkerswiththerighttrainingand management,customerservice,warehousing,purchasing)a360- development has many tangible benefits for electrical organizations, degree look at the electrical market in North America, including thetheir partners and end customers. While it may feel like a daunting interrelationships between electrical contractors and other channelinvestment, the importance of a comprehensive training program players and key processes within the industry.cannot be overstated. For new hires, its not just the opportunity to merely survive theIn todays industry, its critical for ensuring the future success of the learning curve but gain a complete understanding of the electricalelectrical workforce. ecosystemessentialtothrivingandbeingsuccessfulwithintheirElectro-Federation Canada (EFC) is a national, not-for-profit industry designated roles.association that represents over 220 member companies that manufacture, Icompletedmytraining,and,asanewcomertotheCanadiandistribute, market and sell a wide range of electrical products. EFC electrical industry, I found it to be a great resource in understandingmembers contribute over $10 billion to the Canadian economy and the electrical ecosystem, says Saud Ayub, a module participant fromemploy over 40,000 workers in more than 1,300 facilities across Prysmian Group. I was able to grasp the interrelationships amongstthecountry.EFCempowerstheindustrywithmarketintelligence, various channel partners as well as gain knowledge of the various typesprofessionaldevelopmentandavoiceforadvocacyandstandards of projects and the bidding process of products. The course definitelyadvancementwithinasafe,collaborativeenvironment.Learnmore gave me a better understanding of the market.at electrofed.comThe Electrical Industry Playbook is an onlinePurchase online training seats for your employees at:training module that centres on the full electricalwww.bistrainer.com/store/electro-federation-canada-store/industry ecosystem, drawing on: productdetails/electrical-industry-playbookkey market segments (residential, commercial,Whats included? industrial, retail, utility and institutional);Available online in English and Frenchmarket players (end users, specifiers, contractors, Duration: one-hour integrators, agents, manufacturers and I ncludes interactive activities to further engage learners and to check distributors);for understandingthe Project business: traditional, design build,Features various resources: glossary and user manuals (for trainees P3, in-plant automation, renovation market; and and managers) to support each learners journey through the programthe importance of the distribution channel, Full details: www.electrofed.com/workforce-development/focusing on key drivers for success. efc-training-modules/www.ecao.org16'