Training and Education with Ali Heighton of IBEW Local 37

EIN Ali Profile 400

Sept 16, 2019

By Blake Marchand

Ali Heighton is the Program Coordinator for IBEW Local 37 who has found success as a young professional working on Local 37’s Training Trust Fund. The Training Trust provides programs that were recognized earlier this year by Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) at their annual industry awards ceremony.

Heighton earned herself a Bachelor of Arts in 2013 and continued her schooling into Adult Education at the University of New Brunswick. After graduating, she worked as a trainer for the Government of New Brunswick’s Workplace Essential Skills Program. She initially began with IBEW Local 37 as a summer student while she was attending university. Ali took advantage of a job opening in 2016, starting full time with IBEW 37 in the Program Coordinator position. Heighton also noted she is studying part-time to become certified in Applied Human Resources Management.

“As the Program Coordinator, I look after all the training initiatives that are supported by the IBEW Local 37 Training Trust Fund,” Ali said, with respect to her role with IBEW. The Training Trust Fund’s mandate is “to support and encourage training and development activities that contribute to success in the workplace and career development.”

To that end, Heighton told Electrical Industry Canada, “For many years, the Fund has been supporting workshops on a variety of topics, including communication skills, conflict resolution, leadership, resilience and change management, and so much more. Each year, the Trust Fund also puts on an annual education conference that supports personal and professional development.”

“There’s also a learning reimbursement program that members can access where they can get reimbursed for up to $1000 per year for expenses related to undergoing continuous training as it relates to career development,” she continued.

It’s clear that Ali has a passion for helping others and supporting her local communities. And that is much of what she is doing with IBEW. Empowering individuals through her work with Local 37 by fostering the skills, training, and resources necessary to succeed in the skilled trades. When EIN asked Heighton about her career aspirations it seemed as though she has found her passion with IBEW. “My values align really well with the mission of IBEW 37,” she said, “to work as a team to improve the lives of our members and their families, which is what I am doing in my current role through training and education. I hope that I can continue to build strength in New Brunswick communities no matter what role I’m in.”

In the interview below Heighton discusses her work with IBEW Local 37 as well as providing some interesting insight into the industry.

EHRC aliWhat are some of the trends/issues etc. that IBEW is currently addressing with its programming? For example, the ERHC’s focus on engaging young professionals.

A report came out in 2018 that was conducted by the Royal Bank of Canada called the 2018 Future Skills Report. It outlines that a new skills economy is on the horizon, and the demand for people trained in “soft skills” will increase in the years to come. As we see industries change due to rapid advancements in automation and technology, workers will need to be able to keep up with that change to remain relevant and employable. The report states that traditional soft skills are in high demand and will continue to be in high demand as the industry changes.

The energy industry, in particular, is seeing this rapid change already. With the increasing push toward renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy efficient homes, and smart grids, etc. Workers in this industry are going to be affected – if they haven’t been already. The 2018 Future Skills Report outlines that it is possible for workers to readily adapt to a new job if soft skills are developed.

In addition to the RBC Future Skills Report, a recent Globe and Mail article written by Suzanne Bowness recognizes that the workforce is changing with the emergence of ‘new-collar’ jobs. These jobs require skills that the Canadian education system can’t keep up with – skills like communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.

The Local 37 Training Trust Fund recognized long ago that technical skills alone are not enough to be truly effective in the workplace. The TTF strives to offer quality and relevant knowledge and skills-based training that meets the current and future needs of our largest employer partner, New Brunswick Power, and over 2200 members working in the ever-changing utility industry. Because of this, the TTF’s primary focus has been on offering learning opportunities for members that help develop and strengthen their skills in leadership, problem-solving, interpersonal and intrapersonal communication, critical thinking, etc.

IBEW37

Can you tell me a bit about the Training Trust Fund, what is your involvement in that program, what has contributed to its success?

The Training Trust Fund began in the late 80’s as a joint initiative of IBEW Locals 1733 and 2309 (these locals amalgamated in the year 2000 as Local 37), New Brunswick Power, and the Government of Canada.

The Training Trust Fund got off the ground with a start-up grant from the federal government, and it’s now currently sustained by investment income from the fund and a contribution of three cents per hour that IBEW Local 37 members at NB Power. In addition, NB Power also contributes 40% of the TTF’s annual expenditures to a maximum of $50,000 per year. The Fund is managed by a Board of Trustees comprised of both union and NB Power management representatives. 

I look after the administration of the Fund in consultation with the Board of Trustees. Basically, that means I’m responsible for coordinating all the training initiatives and programs sponsored by the fund, including workshops, conferences, and other programing.

The program’s success can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, the innovative thinkers that drove the creation of the fund many years ago who recognized the importance of this type of training. Secondly, the continued support of the employer, NB Power. In addition to their financial contribution, the relationship between IBEW Local 37 and NB Power is extremely significant in the success of the fund. Third, the continued support of the Local 37 membership is incredibly important to the success of the TTF – they’re the ones attending our training and accessing the TTF’s programs, in addition, each member contributes three cents per hour worked to the Fund.

As a young professional, have you had any mentor/role model type figures, whether informally or formally? What is the importance of those dynamics, in your opinion?

Yes, I’ve had an informal role model/mentor. When I was undergoing my Education degree in 2014, I had intended to become a schoolteacher. After undergoing some of my on-the-job training through that degree, I realized that being a schoolteacher wasn’t for me. So, I turned to a close connection that had studied Adult Education and had practiced in that field, as well as in Human Resources for many years. It was through her mentorship that I realized Adult Education and Human Resources might also be a great fit for me. So, I switched gears and here I am today. The experience was really valuable in showing me that different skills are transferable across industries.

Being a part of an industry organization like IBEW Local 37, could you perhaps comment on the state of diversity in the industry?

Industry-wide, I think there’s room for improvement in this area. With that said, I’ve attended union conferences and conventions over the years, and a common theme has been a lot of discussion and collaboration on how to best implement strategies that will promote both diversity and inclusion in our workplaces. It’s really encouraging to see that the value of including diverse populations in the workforce is being widely recognized.

In addition, Local 37 and our largest employer group, NB Power, have shown their commitment to fostering an open and inclusive work environment, by establishing a joint Diversity & Inclusion committee.  I’m very proud of this partnership where together, Local 37 and NB Power are striving to increase awareness and reinforce a positive, welcoming culture at work. 

Blake Marchand is an Assistant Editor with Kerrwil Electrical Group

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Littelfuse: Solid-State Industrial Relays Quality Test Report

    Littelfuse: Solid-State Industrial Relays Quality Test Report

    April 21, 2025 Littelfuse Provides Insights Into Their Solid-State Industrial Relays Introduction Solid-State Relays (SSRs) are a critical component in modern electrical & electronic systems, providing reliable switching capabilities for various applications from industrial automation to consumer electronics. When it comes to choosing the right solid-state relay for your application, it’s important to know the… Read More…

  • PataBid vs. Accubid Classic: How Electrical Estimating Software is Evolving

    PataBid vs. Accubid Classic: How Electrical Estimating Software is Evolving

    April 21, 2025 By Melvin Newman, Patabid CEO The landscape of construction technology — especially in electrical estimating software—is evolving at a rapid pace. With the rise of cloud-based platforms, AI-driven automation, and advanced data integration, contractors now have more options than ever when choosing the right digital estimating tool.    With the rise of… Read More…

  • ESA has Identified Increasing Safety Concern Surrounding Meter Base Installations

    ESA has Identified Increasing Safety Concern Surrounding Meter Base Installations

    April 18, 2025 ESA and EFC are raising awareness on an increasing safety concern the ESA has identified surrounding meter base installations. ESA identified an increase of installed meter bases where the neutral block is isolated from the enclosure. According to OESC Rule 10-210 a bonding conductor must be installed between the meter base and… Read More…

  • Non-residential Construction Investment Continues to Reach Record Highs in January 2025

    Non-residential Construction Investment Continues to Reach Record Highs in January 2025

    April 18, 2025 Overall, investment in building construction rose 1.8% (+$393.7 million) to $22.1 billion in January. The residential sector increased 2.3% to $15.4 billion, while the non-residential sector was up 0.8% to $6.7 billion. Year over year, investment in building construction grew 5.7% in January. On a constant dollar basis (2017=100), investment in building construction increased 1.5% from the previous month to $13.2 billion… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • nVent Sustainability Report Highlights Progress and Focus on Electrification

    nVent Sustainability Report Highlights Progress and Focus on Electrification

    April 15, 2025 nVent Electric plc announced the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report. The new report highlights nVent’s achievements in each of its sustainability focus areas: People, Products, Planet and Governance. The report also highlights how nVent solutions support electrification, digitalization and sustainability efforts around the world. “nVent is becoming a more focused electrical… Read More…

  • Ontario Introduces Legistlation to Unlock Trade and Labour Mobility Within Canada

    Ontario Introduces Legistlation to Unlock Trade and Labour Mobility Within Canada

    April 18, 2025 As a next step in its plan to protect Ontario by unleashing the province’s economy, the Ontario government is introducing the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act to unlock free trade and labour mobility within Canada. This legislation will, if passed, create new opportunities for job creation and investment attraction, supporting economic… Read More…

  • Ontario, P.E.I. Join Nova Scotia With Legislation to Remove Internal Trade Barriers

    Ontario, P.E.I. Join Nova Scotia With Legislation to Remove Internal Trade Barriers

    April 18, 2025 Prince Edward Island and Ontario have joined the Nova Scotia by introducing reciprocal legislation that will help foster an environment of mutual recognition of goods, services and labour mobility between these provinces. “Leaders across the country are expressing interest in removing trade barriers, and I’m very pleased that P.E.I. and Ontario have… Read More…

  • New Brunswick Signs MOU with Ontario to Reduce Trade and Labour Mobility Barriers

    New Brunswick Signs MOU with Ontario to Reduce Trade and Labour Mobility Barriers

    April 18, 2025 The governments of New Brunswick and Ontario have signed a memorandum of understanding on free trade and labour mobility. “Ontario is New Brunswick’s second-biggest trading partner, and we are excited to be building on the positive momentum to reduce internal trade barriers across Canada,” said Premier Susan Holt. “Today’s signing of this… Read More…