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