Just like all other industries, the construction and electrical contracting industries present unique issues that require developed skills to address. Every position, from business support such as payroll and accounts payable to certified journeymen electricians, calls for specialized knowledge related to the job description and its surrounding tasks. Employee training, development, and growth supplies team members with the skills that they need to be successful. Beyond simply giving team members the skills that they need to do their jobs well, the training and development of employees offers an array of other benefits – each just as important as the last.
Training and developing a company’s team of employees aids in creating a healthy and productive work environment. General training for managers, such as sexual harassment or diversity and inclusion training, helps set a precedent for how managers must act by clearly stating what is acceptable behavior and what is not, outlining proper values of the workplace, and ensuring that all employees are treated with respect and equality.
In addition to creating a positive and equal workplace, training can also give employees the knowledge that they need to stay safe. Safety oriented training, such as CPR training or forklift safety, is equally important as it prioritizes the safety of all team members and helps prevent accidents before they occur. Taking proactive steps in addressing safety is essential in preventing accidents and protecting employees – which is ultimately every job’s first priority.
It is important for all members of an organization to feel supported and have the resources to continue learning. Prime Electrical’s foremen have been excellent at promoting learning and growth within the electrical apprentices on their teams. They spend time helping ensure that tasks are done correctly and safely, as well as informing apprentices of the “why” behind each rule or concept. At Prime, we pride ourselves on giving our employees encouragement and assistance. When electrical apprentices become journeymen, their growth and development does not end there. Foremen aid journeymen with questions and nonroutine tasks while general foremen and superintendents commit to developing confident and informed foremen.
Just like any other industry, the construction industry's technology and methodology are constantly being updated as businesses and organizations adapt to a changing and developing world. Updating electrician training allows team members to stay up to date with new technology and resulting installation methods, which in turn provides clientele with better results!
In addition to providing better results, healthier work environments, promoting safety, and making employees feel supported, training and development gives the Prime Team room for growth. Many of our electrical apprentices have become foremen, general foremen, superintendents, estimators, or project managers. It is important that each employee doesn’t feel stuck. It may take time and commitment, but Prime prides itself on promoting from within and rewarding great work. However, if lateral career growth is not something an employee is interested in, that’s okay too! Our journeymen are just as an important part of Prime! Our goal is simply to get our team members into a position that makes them feel satisfied with their work.
There are a variety of ways to help team members move towards growth beyond just training. Aspects such as mentorship, job enrichment, stretch assignments, and more are great ways to help electrical apprentices, journeymen, foremen, project managers, and more develop their skills and ultimately feel more satisfied at work. Other positions that do not require special certifications in electrical code such as payroll, business administrators, accounts payable, project engineers, and more can utilize tactics such as cross-training, and job shadowing to grow the skills and promote creative thinking.
Ultimately, happy employees are loyal, more productive, and well, happier! Many of our team members have been with us for years, with a significant amount of them having been part of the Prime team for 5 or 10 years or even more! We are happy to have a community of supportive employees who are committed to growth and encourage a supportive team environment. Increasing happiness alone creates a better work environment, sets a foundation for a stronger team, reduces turnover, and increases productivity.
In conclusion, the development and growth of team members is an essential part of a healthy organization that provides a wide array of amazing benefits and makes everyone’s day a little bit better.
Jeremy Amison - ABC Alumni and Electrical Mentor
One shining example of a Prime employee who has developed and grown throughout his career is Jeremy Amison. Jeremy was featured by ABCSD in July for an Alumni Highlight. Jeremy began his career as an ABC electrical apprentice aiming to become a third-generation electrician. He says “I owe my successful apprenticeship to the men I had around me; the journeymen, foreman, and the other apprentices. I also owe my work ethic, ability, and most importantly - learning how to treat those around me.” Jeremy joined our Prime team in 2005 as a journeyman electrician, progressing to a superintendent and ultimately moving to be one of our top project managers. Jeremy prides himself on helping guide foremen, journeymen, and apprentices. Jeremy understands how important it is to feel supported during your job and how having someone to give you advice or show you the ropes can create a strong career. Jeremy believes in the power of teamwork and works hard to facilitate development in those around him. Jeremy, we’re proud to have you on our team! To view his full article visit, ABCSD.
