• Posted: May 5, 2025
• codes & standards, Cook County Electric Contractor, electrical industry, IBEW Local 134, Seminar

The electrical industry is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of new technologies and regulations is essential for professionals at every level. That’s why IBEW Local 134’s annual Codes & Standards Committee Educational Seminar is such an important event. Held at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech), the 2025 educational seminar brought together more than 200 electrical inspectors, engineers, contractors, journeymen, apprentices, and other industry stakeholders to explore the latest updates in codes and standards.

The Importance of Continuous Learning in Electrical Work

IBEW Local 134 has long been committed to equipping its members with the knowledge needed to be safe and successful, and this year’s seminar reinforced that commitment. Gene Kent, Executive Director at IN-Tech and Director of Apprenticeship at Powering Chicago, emphasized IN-Tech’s dedication to the trade. 

“We are training our teachers to be better constantly so that we can train our apprentices to be constantly better,” Kent said.

The event provided a platform for experts to share insights on key industry developments, including:

• The latest NFPA 70B code changes for electrical maintenance
• The upcoming 2029 National Electrical Code restructuring
• The growing impact of modular data centers, cannabis facilities, and renewable energy projects

A Collaborative Effort to Elevate Industry Standards

The seminar was a joint effort between the IBEW Local 134 Codes & Standards Committee, the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), and the Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund (REF). Together, these organizations provided continuing education credits for attendees, reinforcing the importance of lifelong learning in the trade.

Bob Hattier, Business Representative at IBEW Local 134 and Executive Director of the Illinois IBEW REF, emphasized that the seminar’s value extends beyond technical updates.

“We have industry leaders from around the country here presenting to municipalities, electrical inspectors, building inspectors and other industry stakeholders about cutting-edge industries, including modular data centers, cannabis dispensaries and extraction facilities and cultivation,” Hattier said.

Real-World Impact: Education, Safety, and Better Communities

Attendees like Bridget Roos, Chief Operating Officer at Lemar Electric Company, highlighted how these training sessions bridge the gap between contractors and electricians, leading to safer job sites and better construction outcomes. 

“I think it bridges the gap between two groups of people that wouldn’t have normally gotten to collaborate, and it creates a situation where we can not only keep our electricians safe in the field but offer value to our customers and end users,” Roos said.

By staying informed on the latest regulations, professionals can take a proactive approach to infrastructure wellness, delivering greater value to clients and communities alike.

IBEW Local 134’s continued commitment to education benefits not only its members but also the broader industry. 

“We mandated a continuing education program a couple of years ago from the local, and it’s great for the apprentices to learn once they get out on the street, what they can do to better themselves,” Don Finn, Business Manager of IBEW Local 134 said.

The annual Codes & Standards Educational Seminar aims to elevate the electrical construction industry as a whole. Events like this ensure that Powering Chicago signatory electrical contractors and the IBEW Local 134 electricians they employ remain at the forefront of innovation, safety, and excellence.