Are the CEU's really needed?

Virgina requires that all electricians must complete 3hrs of CEU's before they will be allowed to renew their Journeyman or Master Electrical license. It is required that the CEU's be completed sometime during the two year period before the license expires. I have heard many people complain about this and that all it does is generate revenue for the state. This is far from the fact. First point the state does not receive any revenue from the courses. The course are offered through independent education providers that are approved by the state. Each of the providers may have a different cost for the courses offered.A list of the education providers is available at the Virgina Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations website. Click here for more info. The list is quite long and you have a wide variety to choose from. One of the main reasons for the education updates is to assure the public that license tradesman keep up with the code. These requirements apply to all of the major trades and also to many other license professions as well. Many complain that 3 hours is not enough. well again many other states require from 6 to 18 hours of CEU's.
You may ask why is this needed? The answer is simple in times past many tradesman simply past the test, got their license and worked the trade for years and never even read a new code book. Not to mention that the code makes some significant changes regarding the safety of  installations every three years. Many times tradesman were not aware or choose not to keep themselves updated. The requirement assures that those working are qualified and up to date with the current codes for their profession. If you are looking to take a code class many types are offered. The online classes require a test at the end so that their is a verification that all the material is reviewed and is sometimes a bit cheaper. The classroom classes have an instructor that gives the class and does not require a test. If your looking for a class click here for both types of classes offered So make sure you stay informed in today's world you cant afford to be out of the loop. Make an input, your experience does make a difference and we can all pass the trade down to others. Till next time work safe and stay informed.
Dave

Sorry Class Full

I was not expecting the response for the Electrical exam Prep course. Unfortunately  the class filled quickly.
Sorry for all those who cannot make it. I will be holding another 8 hour course in April or May.
Feel free to drop us a line from our website at www.surgingforward.com. I the mean time work safe and keep surging forward.
Dave

Virginia Master Exam Prep Class

Thanks for all of you that have been asking about a Master Exam Prep class. I have finally been able to secure a date and a room. For those of you that are interested ( or know someone that is ) check out the website at www.surgingforward.com for more details. The class will be in two 4 hour sessions starting Feb 22. The course is designed for the Virginia exam and allows for open discussion. Please feel free to post any questions you have about the test before the class. Remember to not stress over the test. Keep that positive attitude and you will keep surging forward. I look forward to helping all out there achieve their 2013 goals.
by for now hope to hear from you soon
Dave

Virginia online electrical code class

The new year has started and its time to get back to the grind. During the holidays one of the things I noticed is that many electricians waited till the last minute to take the required electrical code update course for renewal of their Journeyman or Master electrical license. Everyone is trying to save money yet if you wait till the last minute and your license expires you may have to pay additional fees. The best thing to do is be proactive. Virginia requires that the course must be taken sometime during the two year period. So you can actually renew you license in the month it expires than take an online electrical code class the very next month an be done with it.  Now lets look at which is best the classroom electrical class or the online course. well lets look at the two.
Surging Forward offers both so lets look at the pros and cons of each. The online course allows you do complete the course on your own time and you do not have to complete in one 3 hour setting. The course is self paced and you can review during the course. Here is a demo click Here. The online course is much less expensive and affordable than the class room and gives you the flexibility to complete over a longer time. Surging Forwards online class starts at $30. The down side is, yes there is a test required at the end. usually just a few questions just to make sure you went through the whole course and had a basic understanding. Surging Forward allows you to retake if needed and offers special one on one help if you need it. The class room electrical code course requires you to go to a building or class room at a specific time for the instructor lead training. Many like this because they can ask questions, yet many fail to realize that questions can be asked on our contacts page at www.surgingforward.com  at any time with or without a class. Some people also like the group setting and like to hear others questions. The biggest reason I think people like the class room setting is because there is no test. The instructor assures that you complete the full 3 to 4 hours. The downfall of the class room type is number one cost. Most cost from $80 to as high as $150 dollars. Surging Forwards classes run about $85 dollars. Not to mention the time spent away from home or after a long day at work.
The reason for the higher cost is room rental that is the big one and also you have to pay the instructors time and setup of equipment.
So I believe that the online class is a better option. Surging Forward also offers contractors a discount when they want to send 5 or more to the class. For individuals we show them a way that they can even get their class for free. Contact us to find out more on our website at www.surgingforward.com
Well that's all for now hopefully we have given you something to think about.
Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think

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

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God Bless
Dave