Electrical pros must be knowledgeable in their ever-changing field. With new regulations and technologies, you may not know where to turn to be sure you’re up-to-date. If you can relate, joining an electrical trade organization can help.

Trade organizations and association memberships not only help to educate you on the latest in the industry, but you can win more jobs by adding it to your credentials. See why electrical trade organizations are important and which ones you should know about.

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Why Join An Electrical Association Or Organization?

By joining a trade organization or association, you’re opening yourself and your business up to a world of benefits; most notably, the support and education you’ll receive from other professionals. Expanding your professional education is imperative to success. Joining an electrical organization is the best way to continue growing your knowledge in the industry.

Most organizations hold annual conferences, seminars or courses to help educate their members. Not only do they provide learning opportunities, but another benefit of a trade organization is having a network of people to rely on. You’ll meet many like-minded electricians at an event through your organization. These connections can be helpful if you have a question or just want to talk about a new topic in the field. Growing your professional network is always advised and associations make it easier!

Outside of education and networking, one of the largest benefits for electrical pros is the additional credibility to your business. By adding a note on your business card or website that you’re a member of an electrical organization, customers will notice and it will differentiate you from the competition.

Keep in mind, some electrical organizations and associations have criteria you must meet or membership fees that are due upon joining.

National Electrical Contractors Association

As one of the leading electrical organizations for pros, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) boasts 119 local chapters where members can get involved. They offer many tools, resources and educational benefits at the national level, as well as opportunities locally. They also act as a representative for electricians nationally by advocating on topics that impact the industry.

Membership to the NECA is done through your local chapter. For more information on pricing and requirements to join, contact your local NECA chapter.

Independent Electrical Contractors Association

Another organization that pros turn to as a resource is the Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC). They have over 3,000 members already taking advantage of their members-only discounts and training programs. IEC 50 chapters nationwide, with events at both the local and national level. Most recently, they began a webinar series reaching pros where they are. IEC is a great resource for those early in their career, as they have training programs to help get you to where you need to be.

Membership to the IEC is through your local chapter. If you’re interested, connect with them to learn more about how you can become a member.

State Electrical Associations

As you can tell, being involved at a local level is extremely important for pros that want to succeed. While getting involved on the national level is important, local connections are important for referrals and observing industry trends in your area. Statewide electrical associations exist and might be the right choice for you. Here are a few to consider:

• Minnesota Electrical Association
• New Jersey Electrical Association
• North Carolina Association Of Electrical Contractors
• Electric Association Of Chicago
• The Electrical Association of Philadelphia
• New York State Electrical Contractors
• Massachusetts Electrical Contractors Association

Online Forum

While membership to a trade organization or association is a great idea, some pros might not be ready to make the investment with either their time or money. While the education, training and networking benefits from an electrical association can’t be replicated, you should be able to connect with other pros when needed. Online forums are a free service that can help you connect with other like-minded professionals when you need it. ElectricianTalk.com is a resource you should be using. Topics range from codes and standards to general discussion about the trade.

When using an online forum such as ElectricianTalk.com, always keep professional decorum top of mind. After all, these are real people using this service and a poor attitude can give you a bad reputation. Read all the online forum rules and follow them so you can make the most of your experience.

Conclusion

By joining a trade organization or association, you’re opening up doors of opportunity you may not have had before. Enhancing your education will help you grow as a pro and provide better service to your customers, leading to repeat business as a contractor they can trust. Explore what options might be right for you and get started.

Looking for more ideas to grow your business? Read What Makes CraftJack’s Electrical Leads Unique?