In today’s competitive business environment, investing in workforce development is critical for sustained growth, productivity, and industry leadership. Apprenticeship programs, recognized and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, provide a comprehensive framework for developing highly skilled professionals, offering businesses a strategic advantage. This article explores the strategic importance of apprenticeship programs for businesses. It highlights the benefits of federal …
How do you build a future-ready workforce when your team communication ranges from texts instead of calls to TikTok in the breakroom? It’s not a rhetorical question. It’s one companies in the electrical testing world face every day. We have Baby Boomers with decades of field wisdom, Gen Xers balancing leadership and independence, Millennials pushing for innovation and flexibility, Gen Z …
In the rapidly evolving electric utility sector, attracting, developing, and retaining a skilled workforce has never been more critical. As infrastructure modernization accelerates and demand for technical talent intensifies, businesses must take proactive steps to ensure its teams are equipped, engaged, and empowered for success. This article offers an in-depth case example of how TRC employed a digital transformation strategy …
Maintaining operations and achieving financial goals often requires shifting or reallocating both economic and non-economic resources. One of the top concerns among leaders in the electrical field service industry is the loss of human capital. Over the last three years, I have been involved with a quantitative correlational study that examined the relationship between general job satisfaction, employee motivation, and …
Safety, quality, and productivity are closely interconnected in the manufacturing, construction, and electrical services industries. Sacrificing one of these elements inevitably impacts the others. When organizations prioritize maintaining safety, quality, and productivity, they enhance their ability to serve customers effectively and protect their employees and customers. Let’s examine the relationship between these three essential pillars of a strong, sustainable business. …
As humans, many people feel they are invincible — until they aren’t. The electrical industry is filled with individuals with tremendous ability to do their jobs. Whether you are an engineer designing an electrical system, an electrical contractor managing the installation, an electrician installing the electrical system, or a manager overseeing workplace electrical safety for an employer, you play a …
Far too many technicians, electricians, and other tradespeople are severely or fatally injured each year due to an electrical issue. From a technician’s standpoint, we are wired to jump on the problem, fix it, and get the plant back up and running, regardless of the necessary actions, because downtime results in lost revenue. We must examine ourselves and address the …
Over the past decade, we’ve gained critical insights into partial discharge (PD), recognizing it as a real issue that can lead to catastrophic equipment failures. We’ve also developed on-line and off-line methods to detect PD. Yet many still find it unclear why partial discharge occurs and inconceivable that something as simple as a poorly positioned tie-wrap can bring down a data center. …
Partial discharge (PD) is a localized dielectric breakdown that only partially bridges the insulation between conductors. PD in transformers can be categorized into two types: The continuous presence of PD activity in a transformer’s solid insulation during operation can lead to the degradation of surrounding materials and potentially result in a complete failure of the electrical insulation system over time. …
Solar performance testing is crucial for verifying the efficiency and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) power systems. As solar installations become more prevalent, it’s essential to have testing plans in place to ensure systems are functioning optimally and meeting expected performance standards. This article explores the key components of a typical solar interconnection site, outlines an effective testing methodology, and discusses …