The electrical distribution industry is at a pivotal point in its history. Our industry is undergoing a generational shift as thousands of experienced baby boomers are retiring while thousands of millennials are replacing them every day. With a booming economy and an unemployment rate flirting with 4 percent, the need for experienced and talented individuals at every level has never been greater. The winners, the growers, the market share gainers will be the companies that can not only attract young, talented individuals, but the companies that can train and retain those individuals.
As a family-owned, independent distributor, K/E Electric Supply never had the resources to develop its own training program. Our company relied on the experience gained on the job and manufacturer training resources.
We wanted something more so we looked toward the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) and its training opportunities to expand our knowledge base and give us an edge on our competition. The Electrical Products Education Course (EPEC) was created by NAED in 1985. We took the EPEC challenge then and failed. Not one employee completed the Bronze level. We tried again in 1992 and failed. Again, not one employee could get past the Bronze level. Then in 2002, a young millennial dusted off some old modules and started his EPEC challenge by finishing the Bronze level. He went on to complete Silver and finally the Gold level in 2003.
K/E Electric Supply quickly realized the success the program brought to the company. We invested more resources into the program and invited any individual willing to learn. The first K/E Electric Supply graduate became the mentor for others, running an in-house training program and developing the future of the company. Fifteen years later, one-third of all K/E Electric Supply employees have completed the Bronze level and eight have attained the highest level, Gold. Employee retention among EPEC graduates from K/E Electric Supply is higher than non-graduates, with nearly every graduate still employed at K/E Electric Supply. The return on investment for K/E Electric Supply is less than a year for the cost of training and incentives for individuals who participate in the program.
Now, IMARK Group is encouraging its members to take the EPEC challenge. Completion of EPEC courses will earn points toward achieving IMARK Platinum, Gold or Silver status in 2018. To mitigate the financial investment, IMARK has authorized the use of Gateway to Growth points to purchase the training program. Through technological advancements, NAED has updated the program by putting it online and continually updating the content for product and code changes. For the independent distributor, this is an opportunity to attract, educate and retain talented millennials. For the program to truly be successful, these individuals will need guidance in the form of a coach or mentor within your company. They will need an opportunity in the form of time to complete the modules. Lastly, they will need your full support. Take the EPEC challenge in 2018 and see the success the program brings to your company.