Hello Fellow Electricians,
Another year has gone by and 2013 will soon be here. I wanted to thank all of you fellow tradesman out there that have taken the electrical code upgrade course from Surging Forward and allowed us to help keep your license current in Virginia. I am hoping that 2013 will be a great year for new and exciting opportunities for the electrical field. Even though times are still tough out there and work is slow, having as much education as possible will help you grow in the trade even during the tough times. I am looking also to start some new things with Surging Forward that can help electricians grow in the field. One of the new items I want to add to the website is a Jobs page. I would like to set up a page where employers can advertise for job openings for free and this will be available to electricians to view and apply for jobs also for free. I have a few ideas on how to set it up for both but if anyone has some ideas please fell free to drop me a email with your ideas. I have been talking with many electricians the past few months and it seems that many have a hard time finding local work due to not really knowing what resources are available. Another thing we would like to start up is a list of free classes that would be available to electricians that want to continue to surge forward, Again any ideas of course you might be interested in drop me an email. I am also looking for anyone who may have some great drawing skills and would like to donate some pictures to help explain the code better, You would be given credit and your art work may be seen by thousands of others. The goal for next year is better education and keep everyone working for the next year. I look for to hearing for you and have a blessed and happy new year
Dave

The purpose of your license

I heard a very interesting comment from one of my 3rd year apprentices that seems to be the thought of many electricians out there. The student actually stated that the reason many electricians do not take the test is because their company does not care or offer more money whether they have a license or not. This is so far from the truth about the reason for the license in Virginia or any other state for that manner. Simply do a search on Google about electrical fires in the news.  My friends they happen daily due to those who install electrical wiring that is against code. The license is for the individual not the company. It shows others that you have been exposed to the proper training to install electrical equipment safely. Our jobs require many hours of training that can last throughout our career. I know many say it is for the money that the state can get extra revenue. I disagree, think of the home that is burned down because of faulty installations. The code updates required makes sure that license holders are keeping up with the current code. Anyone can make a lamp work or wire an outlet, but installing it safely is another issue entirely. I find it interesting that in the HVAC field a person has to be certified to even be able to by freon for an AC unit due to the hazards it presents. Yet any average person can simply go to the big box store and by electrical wiring and burn down their house or worst yet, do cheap on the fly wiring for a friend real cheap and kill a child. Maybe it is time that anyone buying a breaker or panel box must be certified before they can buy it. Anyhow the license is for your qualifications to help you get a better Job if you work for someone who could care less about safety maybe its time to search around. I'm just saying the license is for you not a company. Those that have a Journeymans or a Master License work hard to get it with lots of studying and behind the scene installations. keep your license current, keeping up on your training only makes you a better electrician. Training is on going. As I tell my 3rd year class. On a scale of 1-10 when I has a helper I was a 3. when I was an apprentice I was a 5. When I was a Journeyman I was a 8. when I was a foremen I was 9. When I was a Superintendent I dropped to an 8. When I was a project Manager I dropped to a 7. When I became an instructor An found out how much is really in the field I dropped to a 6. Now as an Electrical consult I stay right around a 5 always learning new things in this vast field.  So stay safe all my fellow brothers and sisters if the field and remember education can only help make us better. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. In closing always remember from where you came and be willing to teach others the rioght way, the shortcut may kill someone.
God Bless
Dave

Keep your License Current

Do you know that there are many ways to stay on top of the current National Electrical Code in Virginia. Currently Virginia is under the 2008. The Code is based on the Virginia Congress passing the current version of the Virginia Statewide building code. Currently the new Statewide building code is under review and we may see the 2011 National Electrical Code being adopted soon. With so many changes in the code and how they apply it is important that all current Virginia electrical license holders stay current. There are many sources to stay up on the code such as http://www.dpor.virginia.gov as well as our code update classes found on our website. Of course this blog is open to post questions and we also have a facebook page that can have questions asked. Education is important to keep you surging forward in the trade. Many people think that just because many electricians don't have a college degree, you don't have to know as much. I beg to differ I believe based on my experience that electricians must be on top of their game, and many times talk one on one with engineers in the function and design of many of the control systems out there. There is much more to electrical than hanging panels and running conduit. Training also is required to continually increase your knowledge in the field and goes way beyond just the Electrical Code.As I like to say the code is only one step above illegal. The code also is not intended as a design specification (Article 90.1(C) on the NEC ) So understanding how electricity works, contacts work, and even 3 way switch applications work ( this is a big one that many license electricians cannot even explain ) is extremely important if you want to excel in the trade. Believe me the training does not stop after a mere 4 years of apprenticeship training. ( which by the way is the same amount of time for a degree but electricians work full time while going to school.) The training comes over a life time of many classes and courses. On top of that we are advancing rapidly into DCS controls, new PLC's and different types of drives for motors, not to mention a whole world of residential training for home automation and such. I never would have thought I would go to an 8hr class on grounding, boy did it open my eyes up about stray voltages and the many dangers. Anyhow that's all for now and if your reading this contact us and let us know what training you would like to have more of so we can help you
KEEP SURGING FORWARD

contact us on facebook at Surging Forward
support@surgingforward.com
or just leave us a comment on this post

God Bless
Dave

Electrical License renewal in Virginia

Did you know that every electrician in Virginia that holds a Journeyman or  a Master electrical license in Virginia must complete a 3 hour code update course before Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational and Regulations (VDPOR) will renew their license. The course may be taken online or at a scheduled class. The course must be approved by VDPOR as an education provider. Don't make the mistake of taking a course and trying to send in. Not only did you pay for for a class that does not count toward your 3hr CEU's, VDPOR will not renew the license.   Surging Forward provides online classes as well as classroom classes. Surging Forward is a qualified education provider with VDPOR. You can sign up for online or classroom training at http://www.surgingforward.com  The Online classes do require that a test be given at the end , for most classes the test is just to verify that the licensee has understood the basics of the code changes. Also one of the problems is that the licensee tends to wait until the last min to take the class. The class can be taken anytime during the two years before the license is set to expire. So go ahead and take the class early to avoid the last minute rush. VDPOR provides a list of education providers that are qualified for Virginia. this list can be found at www.dpor.virginia.

Welcome to Updates

Surging Forward is now starting a blog, which will hopefully provide updates to the Virginia Electrical Code. The goal is to keep Virginia electricians up to date with changes that affect business, workers, installations and jobs in the field.Please feel free to post your comments and pictures on the site. We are always looking to discuss possible code violations as well as how to install per code. By posting pictures on this site it will allow surging forward to use for training others and continue to provide affordable code training for all electricians. Working my way up from the bottom I fully understand how hard it is to stay up on new or current training regarding electrical codes or even advancement classes. So again welcome and lets all help each other grow
website www.surgingforward.com