Los Angeles Electricians Celebrate IBEW Local 569

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IMPERIAL, CA –Today, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) joined by elected leaders hosted a Grand Opening for their new Imperial County Electrical Training Center. The facility is training a local, skilled workforce to support Imperial County's emerging green energy economy and offering pathways out of poverty by creating family-wage careers with healthcare, retirement, benefits and lifelong training opportunities.

Speakers included Caridad Sanchez, Director, San Diego and Imperial Counties, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer; Congressman Bob Filner, United States House of Representatives, Congressional District 51; Staff Representative Antonio Ortega, Assemblymember Manuel Perez, California State Assembly, 80th District; Al Shur, Business Manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569 and Andrew Berg, Executive Manager, National Electrical Contractors Association, San Diego Chapter.

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer remarked, "As a Chairman of the Environment and Public Works, I am pleased to know that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569 and the National Electrical Contractors Association are working together to train Imperial County's workforce to fill clean energy jobs in Imperial County. People will not only learn important job skills, but will help to create new, clean energy technologies that will create economic growth. I applaud IBEW and NECA on your leadership."

Congressman Bob Filner noted, "I am thrilled to see IBEW Local 569-NECA opening a Training Facility here in Imperial County. This is a win-win for working people, the local community and green energy businesses. As the green economy ushers in new career opportunities, I am working to ensure we are creating good jobs with healthcare, skilled training and benefits here in Imperial County. IBEW Local 569 will be a great partner in that endeavor."

The leader of the State Assembly Economic Recovery Task Force, Assemblymember Manuel Perez commented, "As billions of dollars in stimulus funds flow into the state of California and make their way to Imperial County, we need to ensure we are maximizing opportunities for career pathways out of poverty and long-term local job creation. IBEW Local 569, NECA and the skilled trades are essential in that effort. This new Electrical Training Center is a true asset as we prepare a skilled workforce to meet the exciting challenges of the green energy economy here in Imperial County."

IBEW Local 569 Business Manager Al Shur stated, "IBEW Local 569 is proud to be the first skilled trade to operate a training facility in Imperial County. More than ever, we are committed to growing a trained, local workforce and creating careers that pay well and have healthcare and benefits. From standard electrical work to energy efficiency retrofits and solar, our members are ready."

Andrew Berg of the San Diego Chapter of NECA remarked, "IBEW Local 569-NECA's apprenticeship program develops the best quality people in the industry, giving our contractors the competitive edge. We look forward to accelerating the growth of a robust green economy by adding new NECA contractors here in Imperial County.'

Caridad Sanchez, for Barbara Boxer-

As a Chairman of the Environment and Public Works, I am pleased to know that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 559 and the National Electrical Contractors Association San Diego Chapter are working together to train Imperial County's workforce to fill clean energy jobs in Imperial County.

We need to create millions of clean energy jobs. You are leading the way with this training program. People will not only learn important job skills, but will help to create new, clean energy technologies that will create economic growth. I applaud IBEW and NECA on your leadership in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Providing incentives for clean energy is a win-win solution for our country -- it helps to address the threat of global warming and it builds the foundation for long term recovery and prosperity.

Congressmen Bob Filner-

I am thrilled to see the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569 and the National Electrical Contractors Association opening a Training Facility here in Imperial County. This is a win-win for working people, the local community and green energy businesses.

As the green economy ushers in new career opportunities, I am working to ensure we are creating good jobs with healthcare, skilled training and benefits here in Imperial County. IBEW Local 569 will be a great partner in that endeavor.

Imperial County is positioned to be not just a regional leader, but a national model for the clean energy economy. We can build economic prosperity here in our community, fight climate change and create a local, skilled workforce with long-term career opportunities all at the same time. Today, with the opening of this new Imperial County Electrical Training Center, we are one step closer to meeting that goal and I'm proud to be a part of today's event.