b'COVID-19NETCO LaunchesNew Strategic DirectionRESPONSE TO COVID-19T 22, 2020)The Board ofTheInnovationandStandardspillartheelectricaltradesandprepareaffiliated Toronto (June DirectorsoftheNationalElectricalTradeaimstocontinueNETCOsongoingtraining providers across the industry for the Council (NETCO)jointly sponsored bysupportoftheInterprovincialRedSealcoveted NETCO instructor certification.the International Brotherhood of Electricalprogram.ProtectingandenhancingthePillartwoisfocusedonGovernment Workers (IBEW) Canada and the Canadianvalue of the Red Seal includes protectingRelations and Policy. NETCO will continue ElectricalContractorsAssociation(CECA)thefullscopeofworkfortheelectricalto bring a national voice to joint lobbying recentlyapprovedanewstrategicplantrades,maintainingelectricaltradeseffortsaroundprovincial/territorialissues for the 20202023 period. We are excitedentryqualifications,promotingthethat have national implications. To maintain with the new direction of NETCO and thestandardization of apprenticeship programsthe high quality and scope of the electrical benefits it will bring to our stakeholders andandpromotingthestandardizationoftrades,NETCOwillbringaunified the electrical industry as a whole, says Tomcontinuingelectricaltraining.NETCOindustry perspective to influence policy and Reid, NETCO President and Internationalwill explore the potential for new tradesgovernmentdecisions.Ensuringelected Vice President First District, IBEW. The newclassificationsintheelectricalindustryofficialsunderstandthevalueoftheRed plan includes four key pillars: Innovation andinresponsetotechnologicalchangeandSeal program will be led by implementing Standards, Government Relations and Policy,willadvocateonbehalfofindustrytooutreach to federal agencies.Partnerships, and Industry Leadership. Thissupport it in remaining competitive in a willcreatenewinnovativeapproachestochanging environment. Perhaps the mostPartnershipsisthethirdpillarofthe helpingourcontractorsachievesuccessinpertinent development under this pillar isnewstrategicdirection.Throughthe a competitive industry and bring increasedthe establishment of the NETCO Nationalstrengtheningofpartnerships,NETCO visibilityandcredibilitytotheelectricalEducationInstitute.NETCOwillworkcan increase its influence and effectiveness trades,saysDavidMason,NETCOwith stakeholders to set Canadian standardsandgainaccesstoresources,information, Treasurer and President of CECA. for the certification of technical trainers inand skills. This will increase opportunities toleverageorcoordinatelobbyingand advocacy efforts, reach a wider audience, and provide increased value for stakeholders.ThefinalpillarisaimedtowardIndustry Leadership.Overthenextthreeyears, NETCOwillexpandawarenessand influenceamongststakeholdersinthe electricalindustrytopolicymakersand thegeneralpublicasthenationalgo-to industry leader.Although the new strategic plan was released during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was littleimpactintherollout;however,the effect of the pandemic was very prevalent to our stakeholders. NETCO brought together thetrainingpartnersinavirtualmeeting in April to discuss the challenges faced as a result of COVID-19. Our training partners were caught in a position of having to move to online programming virtually overnight, as most had to stop classes altogether and evenresultedinfacultylay-offs.Thishas www.ecao.org14'