Surging Forward update

Hello from Surging Forward I hope that all of you are doing well for this Holiday. Christmas always seems to be one of the busiest times of the year. During this busy time dont forget to keep growing and Surging Forward in your career. This weeks podcast talks about pursing your passion. Make sure it is yours and not some else's. You can listen on ITunes byclicking here or if you dont have apple you can click here. As always you can go to www.surgingforwardpodcast.com and listen to all the past episodes. Download and listen later so it doesn't slow you down. I hope that everyone stays safe and if you have twitter be sure and follow us @surgingforward. Let us know any topics you would like discussed. After the new year we are looking to launching some new courses for helping you succeed. Some will even be for free but they will only be announced on twitter. I am not sure how much more I will be keeping up on this blog as this one is being combined with the podcast, facebook and the other media we are using so again make sure you follow your favorite media.
Twitter, Facebook, Itunes, other podcast. or even google play
Have a great new year and thank you for all your support

Are you taking Advantage of the tools you have?

Hello fellow Tradesman.
I have not been writing in this blog as much as I should. There has been a lot happening in the past few weeks. First off I want to say congrats to all those that competed in the Apprenticeship competition. My 4th year class did great, which brings me to the subject in this post. Are you taking advantage of all the tools available to you. There is no reason why anyone cannot make a better life for themselves in today's world. Since I started the podcast a few months ago I have spent a lot of time answering questions on how to excel in the trade or even a job you may be in. I have seen that there is a lot of information online that is available to anyone that once to pursue. I have also noticed that many people still like to call versus asking a question online. While that is oky I receive so many more voice mails today than ever before, which is why I started the podcast. First of all thank you for listening to the podcast if you have not already you can listen on ITUNES or if you have an Android phone you can listen on Stitcher  which is an app that allows you to listen to podcast and when you subscribe you automatically receive the latest episode of The Surging Forward Podcast or you can just goto the website at www.surgingforwardpodcast.com. This is only the beginning of the leadership training that I will be putting out for free, yes it will be free as long as I can continue to see a need and hear from all of you, please comment on the posts and leave reviews on the ITunes or the Stitcher sites. Training for tradesman has always relied on the element of time. With these tools you can be trained on your time any time. The internet has provided so much more in this area than I had coming up in the trade. If you have issues on your job or want to know how to deal with an issue just drop me a line at tradesman@surgingforward.com That is the best way as I cannot answer all the phone calls anymore. The is also another great podcast out the called the Apprenticeship Matters which is also on ITUNES or his website is www.theelectricacademy.com/category/podcast/ there are also great resources on his website. So as you can see there is so much info out there for you to learn the trade, learn leadership and grow in your career.  Well thats all for now have to get back to teaching my class, in the mean time Stay Safe and Keep Surging Forward.  Please feel free to share this post with your fellow workers.

There is help for tradesman

Hello fellow tradesman,
Been a very busy week I just got back from a code update course for the 2017 code. I will be sharing some of this for you in the future.
Dont miss the two new podcast episodes at www.Surgingforwardpodcast.com on Training and How you can make a difference.
Subscribe on ITunes or Stitcher for your android phone so you dont miss an episode.
Let me know any topics that you want to have talked about in the field.
Well this one is short gotta run Stay Safe and Keep Surging Forward
Dave

Thank you!!

Hello again fellow tradesman and others in the working class,
I wanted to start out this blog with  a great big Thank You to all of you that continue to keep working day in and day out. I don't think we hear that as much as we should. All of us spend 6 to 14 hours a day making money for someone else and never feel like we are getting anywhere. I want to assure you that you are. The job you do does make a difference in someone life which is not only your boss. The job you do makes a difference to anyone that is effected by the actual completion of whatever task you do. How you react to any given situation can and does make a difference to the community, you city, you state,and maybe even worldwide. we all struggle with the day to day grind one of the hardest things we deal with is the person on the job that never gives thanks to anyone. They are the ones that claim and act as if they know everything. That is what this weeks podcast episode is about the know it all. If you would like to continue to learn how you can make a difference and grow you career than this episode will bring you back to the basics. I would also encourage you to let me know the issues that effect you in  your daily walk. drop is a comment below of simply drop us an email at Tradesman@surgingforward.com
Listen to our new podcast episode on Handling the Know it all,  Go to Surging Forward Podcast on Itunes or go to Surgingforwardpodcast.com to download and listen. If you listen on ITunes, Stitcher or on Google Play, subscribe and you will recieve each episode automatically every Friday.I want also offer my thanks to you all for reading and listening. You can help me a lot by sharing on facebook or email to others who might enjoy. Please feel free to pass this post along and don't forget to like us on facebook. Until next time
Stay Safe and Keep Surging Forward

When Will Virginia be on the 2017 Electrical Code?

I have been getting a lot of questions lately regarding as to when Virginia will adopt the 2014 electrical code. The concern I here from other electricians is that the 2017 electrical code will be out soon and many are not even sure as to what code we are on. States adopt the code in various ways depending on the State you live in.Virginia is based on the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code or USBC. The USBC is broken down into 3 parts and became effective as of July 14 2014 they are as follows:

2012 Virginia Construction Code USBC Part 1
2012 Virginia Rehabilitation Code USBC Part 2
2012 Virginia Maintenance Code USBC Part 3
2012 Errata to the Virginia Building and Fire Regulations
You may click on the links above if you would like to download a copy

You will find the code adoption in the section in the 2012 Virginia Construction code 101.2 Incorporation by reference Note 1: The IBC references other International Codes and standards including the following major codes:
2012 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
2012 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
2011 NFPA 70
2012 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
2012 International Residential Code (IRC)

So as you can see, we are currently still on the 2011 electrical code
You can go to the state website and review the process as you will see it is quite long.
Click here 2015 code cycle 
So when we be on the 2014 electrical code ? I am not sure I have heard that it could be as early as July of 2017, but based on the schedule, I read on the site it may not be until July 2018.
So that is in short how you as a Virginia electrician can stay up to date. In today's world we have access to so much information and training that with a few clicks you can usually find the information you need. Speaking of training, I plan on making some short code courses ( 15 to 20 mins long) that will help you learn the code by understanding how to use the code not just memorize questions and articles. Understanding how to use it will make the code one of the most valuable tools in your tool belt. (Well of course you can't carry it on you any more, since it has become quite large these days) The whole purpose of the code is safety for all the non electricians that think it is just magic. So when install for others remember that is what we do keep others safe. If you would may be interested in this let me know by leaving a comment below. Also feel free to pass this post along by sharing in your facebook, electrical group or even email. Don't forget to subscribe to our surging forward podcast on ITUNES or STITCHER. For those that don]t know what that is you can go to our website at www.surgingforwardpodcast.com
Until next Time Stay Safe and Keep Surging Forward

Bragging is not the best way

Hello fellow Tradesman out there.
Over the years I have heard so many people brag about all the things they have done. It is one thing to share about a great accomplishment, but it is quite another to make up stories to make you sound more important. What does that do to ones integrity?
Listen to our new podcast episode on bragging your way to the to. Go to Surging Forward Podcast on Itunes or go to Surgingforwardpodcast.com to download and listen. I want also offer my thanks to you all for reading. You can help me a lot by sharing on facebook or email to others who might enjoy. Please feel free to pass this post along and don't forget to like us on facebook. Until next tim
Stay Safe and Keep Surging Forward

Giving Your Word

How important is it to keep your word? Trust is something that seems to have gone by the way side. Seems everyone is looking for an angle. Lying in today's workplace has become the norm in order to get ahead. Don't fall into this trap. Your word is the most powerful attribute you have. If you cannont keep your word it is sometimes best to say no. Your integrity will keep your fellow workers, and/or clients if you have a business watching your back instead of worrying about  whats next. Also do keep company with those that do not have integrity the fal can come very quickly.
Listen to our new podcast episode on giving your word. Go to Surging Forward Podcast on Itunes or go to Surgingforwardpodcast.com to download and listen. Always be willing to help others. Please feel free to pass this post along and don't forget to like us on facebook.
Stay Safe and Keep Surging Forward

Episode 4 of the Surgingforward podcast

Well hello again fellow tradesman out there. Been a busy few weeks. We have just published our 4 episode of our new podcast. The title is the 3 R's Respect, Reliability, and Responsibility. Go to Surgingforwardpodcast.com to listen. This show talks about haw to get respect. Do we deserve respect or is it earned something to think about as we strive to grow in our careers. There is a lot happening in our world today and if you are demanding that people respect you than you may not actual deserve it. Just saying respect is something that we must earn on a daily basis and depends on how we are treating others. Leadership is a skill that must continue to be developed. There are many people who at one time were great leaders but the power went to there head and they now abuse the position. These leaders have lost the respect from those that follow . You than have those that work under strictly under fear and nor dedication. Well I need to get ready for the new year. I am working on lesson plans for the upcoming Apprenticeship classes. A new 3rd year class.
So I will leave you with this question What are you doing to help others have a better life, it is not about money, but maybe just a kind word.
Drop us a topic you want discussed on the podcast, at tradesman@surgingforard.com or just leave us a comment below, in the mean time, Stay Safe and Keep Surging Foward.

The Podcast is little late but it's up and running

Hello Surging Forward members, friends, and future fans,
We were a little late but we got the podcast up and going last night. I did not realize all the actual startup work, but I am sure we will be tweaking it here and there. Special thanks too my sons best friend for setting everything up.
You can check out the the new podcast at www.surgingforwardpodcast.com
Don't forget to send us your questions. and we will talk about most any subject related to the trades and to working a job in general. Also like us on Face book to keep up with some of the things we hope to start posting soon. Send us your bad installs or your positive pictures and we will post the pictures there. Our Facebook address is https://www.facebook.com/SurgingForward/ .
The first podcast is an introduction into our first series of discussions. Again feel free to send us your comments on what we can do better. We are new to this but hoping we can help all of us to surge  forward in this hectic world. Even this week end I could not believe how fast time went by.
Well I am going to sign off for now as even I have to work the day to day grind. Remember to pass the word and share with your fellow workers Until next time, Stay Safe and Keep Surging Forward.

Free Training the Podcast is coming

Hello fellow tradesman  this has been a busy summer and we are getting very close to launching our new podcast. again those of you that do not know what a podcast is it is like a radio show but on the internet. we have just launched a new website at www.surgingforwardpodcast.com which will have all the details. Also make sure you send us your topics for discussion also and we can include in upcoming episodes. The launch for our new show will be available to listen online or download on Friday August 5th.  we will do a new show every week. These will include topics such as how to grow in your career, How to increase you worth and your pay to your company, How to start your own business (not as easy as you may think but if you have the drive can be rewarding) dispel some myths and learn some truths about working the daily grind, and many other topics for the working class. stay tuned and in the mean time drop us a line at Tradesman@surgingforward.com and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SurgingForward/ . Help us get the word out. Free Training we like free right. Take care and remember to Stay Safe and Keep Surging Forward
Dave

New Things Coming

It has been a while but it does not mean we haven't been busy,so here is a quick update. We have been working on some new things. First we have just published the new 2014 Electrical code in Virginia and Oklahoma and it now has full audio. You spoke and we listened. We are working on the HVAC, Plumbing and the Fuel/Gas code to bring audio to those as well.  We are also looking at starting a podcast which will provide you with ways to grow in the trade and move up the ladder. I know the jobs are always bad, the pay stinks, its to hot, its to cold, but hey the grass is not greener on the other side and most of you don't have 4 years of student loans in the thousands of dollars either.
If you have any topics you would like us to discuss simply drop us a line at tradesman@surgingforward.com Stay tuned for times and the opening show.
As always
Stay Safe and Keep Surging Forward