Ontario IBEW Local 402 Begins Innovative Network Cabling Apprenticeship

EIN IBEW logo 400

Oct 2, 2020

For more than a century, the IBEW has been successful by adapting to changes in the electrical industry. Thunder Bay, Ontario, Local 402 Business Manager Glen Drewes is confident his local union has found an innovative way to build on that history.

Earlier this year, Local 402 received rare permission from the Ontario provincial government to add an apprenticeship program to train network cabling specialists, who are responsible for installing and maintaining computer-based electrical systems. Local officials hope to have the initial group of apprentices by late next year.

“This is a separate trade, much like being a power lineman,” Drewes said. “You don’t have to be an electrician to be a network cabling specialist.”

Provincial governments have oversight over skilled construction apprenticeships in Canada, with vocational and technical colleges usually providing the training. Apprentices work toward the coveted Red Seal designation, which signifies they are highly trained to perform the work in their field.

Canadian unions — including the IBEW — can request adding an apprenticeship program only when colleges within their jurisdictions show no interest in teaching it. That’s just what happened in and around Thunder Bay, a community of about 110,000 people on Lake Superior in northwestern Ontario, when it came to network cabling specialist training. Community and technical colleges in the area had no plans to add it.

So, Drewes and others went to work with a goal of convincing the Ontario Ministry of Labour it could house a program at its 5-year-old training center.

After months of hard work, they got it.

“When something like this happens, it’s a big deal,” said National Electrical Trade Council Executive Director Melissa Young, who aided Local 402 with its application. “Only a handful of unions in the building trades in Canada have the status to deliver this. It just brings legitimacy to the fact that unions can deliver top-shelf training.”

Drewes said some commercial construction in Local 402’s jurisdiction already is moving to an ethernet cable system and away from the traditional electrical work installation. He suspects the ethernet system will be common in new home construction during the next decade.

He views it as an opportunity instead of a threat, saying the IBEW must make inroads into cable network installation before other unions do. Currently, there is little formal training for these workers — called network cabling specialists or electronic specialists — who install and perform the maintenance on these systems.

They are usually nonunion because of the shortage of professional training, Drewes said. Contractors often don’t know where to turn for skilled employees.

But with a formal training program, those workers will be exposed to the benefits of being part of the IBEW, which should grow membership. That, in turn, should help the IBEW draw in more signatory contractors, who are desperate for a professional workforce, Drewes said.

“The customer wins,” he said. “They see what we offer and now, it’s not just a free-for-all. You’re working with the trades and you’re getting good, quality work.”

Added Young: “This work is very technical. It requires an immense amount of skill. It’s a spinoff of the electrical trade, but it’s not the same thing as being an electrician. For some contractors, this is all the work they do.”

There’s another benefit, too. North of Thunder Bay, there is a large First Nation population. Drewes said Local 402 wants to attract members of its community to the new apprenticeship program.

“We have to open our doors,” Drewes said. “Our Indigenous population is very loyal to unions. If we can get our foot in there and become partners, I think it will be IBEW all the way. The possibilities are endless.”

First District International Vice President Thomas Reid applauded Drewes and all Local 402 members for “devising an innovative way to grow our membership, which is even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“We’re tremendously honoured the Ontario provincial government entrusted us with training workers in what is an increasingly important field. It’s great news for all the communities within 402’s jurisdiction and we’re going to meet the challenge. We hope similar opportunities present themselves across Canada in the future.”

Young said it wasn’t an easy process to convince government officials to allow Local 402 to open the training program, noting the labour ministry denied its first application.

That turned into a good thing. It made the subsequent application even stronger, she said.

“[Local 402] is very serious about this as an occupation,” she said. “They’ve made a lot of investments in this, knowing it’s for the members at the end of the day. It’s about bringing new people in and making sure they can go to work for their employers.”

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Breaking out of a Winter Slowdown

    Breaking out of a Winter Slowdown

    March 10, 2025 For many Canadian electricians, winter months bring a painful slowdown in business. You’re grateful for your projects, but snowbanks, cold temperatures and slippery surfaces mean a half-day project eats up most of the day and the battery in your heated hoodie always seems to be on “empty”. Generate new business by strengthening… Read More…

  • How Technology is Reshaping Lighting Design: Augmented Reality, Sustainability, Smart Lighting, and 3D Printing

    How Technology is Reshaping Lighting Design: Augmented Reality, Sustainability, Smart Lighting, and 3D Printing

    March 10, 2025 By Kaitlin Burke, Lead System Engineer at Cooper Lighting Solutions & Rajat Bhayana, Lighting Product Manager at Cooper Lighting Solutions Technology is rapidly reshaping the lighting design industry, offering new ways to streamline workflows, enhance aesthetics, and optimize energy efficiency. In 2025, lighting professionals will have more tools than ever to balance… Read More…

  • A Powerful Partnership

    A Powerful Partnership

    March 10, 2025 By Milwaukee® Milwaukee® believes in the power of relationships. The global leader in hand tools and power tools has built its reputation over the past 100 years from the combination of producing high-quality tools designed for the jobsite, while continuing to go above and beyond their user’s expectations. A perfect example of… Read More…

  • ECAO Tariff Tracker

    ECAO Tariff Tracker

    March 7, 2025 ECAO is closely monitoring the evolving tariff battle between Canada and the US. ECAO are staying in touch with their industry partners and legal resources, and continually monitoring news feeds. In addition, they will be meeting with affiliate partners, suppliers and other industry players to plan implementation of possible solutions, to advise… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • IDEAL Electrical™ Unveils Fresh, Modern Brand Identity

    IDEAL Electrical™ Unveils Fresh, Modern Brand Identity

    March 7, 2025 IDEAL Electrical was the first company to obtain a patent to make and sell wire connectors in the United States 96 years ago this month – and today IDEAL® announces a modern look for the brand, which captures the company’s spirit of relentless innovation and the optimistic future of the electrical trade. … Read More…

  • Noramco Announce Promotion at London Branch

    Noramco Announce Promotion at London Branch

    March 7, 2025 Noramco has announced the promotion of Erika Liddle to Commercial & Industrial Account Manager – London. “Since joining us in September as Sales Support, Erika has embraced every challenge with determination, quickly making a strong impression. Her ability to learn, adapt, and build meaningful relationships with our customers has set her apart…. Read More…

  • Leviton Canada Unveils New Conveyor System at the Canadian DistributionCenter in Pointe-Claire, Quebec

    Leviton Canada Unveils New Conveyor System at the Canadian DistributionCenter in Pointe-Claire, Quebec

    March 7, 2025 Leviton Canada is thrilled to announce the unveiling of their new conveyor system at the Pointe-Claire (Quebec) distribution center, designed to boost efficiency and enhance service for their valued customers across Canada. With cutting-edge automation and improved accuracy, we’re ready to handle your orders faster and more reliably than ever before. This… Read More…

  • ESA President and CEO Named One of Canada’s Top Women in Safety

    ESA President and CEO Named One of Canada’s Top Women in Safety

    March 7, 2025 The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is proud to announce that Josie Erzetic, President and CEO at ESA, has been named one of Canada’s Top Women in Safety by the Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine for 2025. The awards recognize exceptional female leaders who shatter glass ceilings while influencing the health and safety… Read More…