EFC’s Electro|POD: A Call for Young Professionals to Take a Seat at the Standards Table

EIN electroPOD 400

July 14, 2022

Podcast Topic: A Call for Young Professionals to Take a Seat at the Standards Table
Announcer: Daniela De Marco, EFC
Interview supporters: Gurvinder Chopra, EFC, and Roxanne Lafond, EFC.
Interviewees: Namita Rai, SCC Program Manager, Member Services, Polad Zahedi, 2016 IEC YP winner, Technical Engineer/Officer at Ontario Power Generation Inc., and Chu Cheng, 2019 IEC YP winner, Senior P&C Engineer with MHO Technologies in Alberta.

A Call for Young Professionals to Take a Seat at the Standards Table

The ‘Talent Gap’ has been identified as a top concern affecting the electrical industry, including participation in standards development. Of the 42,000+ people that EFC member companies currently employ, over 10,000 of these employees are over the age of 55, which means there will be an influx of retirements within the next decade! Young professionals have an opportunity to take a seat at the Standards development table to participate in various product verticals on a technical or advisory level.

Daniela De Marco, EFC, with guest hosts Gurvinder Chopra, EFC, and Roxanne Lafond, EFC, have a conversation with Namita Rai, SCC Program Manager, Member Services, Polad Zahedi, 2016 IEC YP winner, Technical Engineer/Officer at Ontario Power Generation Inc., and Chu Cheng, 2019 IEC YP winner, Senior P&C Engineer with MHO Technologies in Alberta. Namita Rai gives insight into SCC’s opportunities for young professionals, and Chu and Polad share what they gained as IEC YP competition winners. This conversation further discusses the myths stopping young professionals from contributing to standards development, what the electrical industry and standards community can do to bridge the ‘Talent Gap,’ and why the involvement of YPs in this space is key to Canada’s future prosperity.

Listen to the podcast on: Apple PodcastGoogle Podcasts or Spotify.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Overview of Upcoming Changes to Ontario Construction Act – Joint Leadership Conference Panel Discussion

    Overview of Upcoming Changes to Ontario Construction Act – Joint Leadership Conference Panel Discussion

    November 4, 2025 The inaugural Joint Leadership Conference hosted this October in Toronto by three Ontario contractor associations, Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO), the Mechanical Contractors Association of Ontario (MCAO), and the Construction Labour Relations Association of Ontario (CLRAO), featured some interesting discussions around AI and changes coming to the Ontario Construction Act. The… Read More…

  • Illumination Contributes to La Pêche Townhall’s “Building of the Future”

    Illumination Contributes to La Pêche Townhall’s “Building of the Future”

    November 3, 2025 La Pêche (Quebec, Canada) has constructed a new townhall that was designed for the future. The dramatic two-story structure is comprised of solid wood, both inside and out, and presents an impressive facade on the main street of the community. And it incorporates the latest innovations in sustainable construction. With its forthcoming… Read More…

  • Houle Highlight Broadway Subway Project Now Underway

    Houle Highlight Broadway Subway Project Now Underway

    November 3, 2025 Houle has announced the company has begun work on the Broadway Subway Project in BC. The project will extend the TransLink Millennium Line by 5.7 km to serve the Broadway Corridor, one of BC’s busiest routes, becoming a critical link that connects communities, increases frequency and reliability for transit users, and enhances… Read More…

  • Non-Residential Building Investment Increases Slightly in August, 2025

    Non-Residential Building Investment Increases Slightly in August, 2025

    Overall, the total value of investment in building construction edged up 0.1% to $22.8 billion in August. The non-residential sector edged up $22.9 million, while the residential sector increased slightly by $10.5 million. Year over year, investment in building construction grew 8.7% in August. On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of investment in building construction in August… Read More…


Changing Scene