September 9, 2021
Train Your Contractors in EVs to Unlock More Electrification Jobs
4 Min. Read
While most electrical contractors are on board with the renewable energy transition, they often don’t know where to start with their workforce. How do you help your employees deliver new services and tap into emerging technologies for the growing market of electrification jobs? This becomes even more challenging when expectations seem to change on a yearly basis.
Learn about common challenges and apply this information to your own workforce transition.
5 Common Electrical Contractor Workforce Challenges
Today’s workforce has many hurdles. Electrical contractors are no exception. Shaking off the woes of the global pandemic, other residual obstacles and hurdles have emerged.
The new economy is changing and people’s attitudes about work have evolved. So, there is greater pressure on electrical contracting companies to solve and deal with the new set of dynamics.
1. Supervision Difficulties
Meeting project deadlines is critical. Indeed, staying on schedule is key to keeping customers happy and ensuring that you keep your profit margins in check. However, some employees aren’t concerned about schedule, since they get paid for the actual time they put into a project. So, motivating your team to stay on task can be tricky and requires tact and persistence. Thus, having the right balance between motivation, persuasion and toughness will help guide and keep your crew on track.
2. Aging Specialists
Experts estimate that the average electrician is 50 years old and has 26 years of experience. Today’s youth often pursue computer-related or other fields that are deemed more progressive and lucrative. So, the push to drive the younger generation to electrical engineering jobs is not as apparent. In the next 10 years, will there be enough younger specialists to keep up with the market?
3. Shortage of Qualified Electricians
To make the previous point more pressing, electricians are retiring at a faster pace than new ones entering the field. Every year, 7,000 electricians enter the industry while 10,000 leave it. This is a problem for consumers. The demand for electricians has not waned. So, the gap in qualified electricians is a big issue that will need to be addressed sooner than later.
4. New Technologies Require New Skills
As the market changes and new technologies emerge, this presents a great opportunity for electricians to shift and adapt to the evolving world of electrification. Electric vehicles are becoming more prevalent in the marketplace, which presents more opportunities for electricians. However, this sector will require new skills. Indeed, it will not be the typical installation of lighting or electrical panels, but more complicated and nuanced work.
5. Cross-Skill Needs, Merging of Trades
With new technologies, the lines between the trades can blur, and there will be overlap. So, this is a good time for electricians to learn some of the new skills that are required in electrification to bolster their overall knowledge base. Your workforce now needs to be computer literate, understand customer support, use mobile apps and interface with various advanced devices coming to the market. This means electrical contractors will require a more multifaceted approach to training.
Why EVs Are a Great Entryway Into Renewable Energy for Electricians
As more electric vehicles roll out to the market, this creates a unique opportunity for electrical engineering jobs in the world of renewable energy – which is on the rise across the planet.
EVs have increased in popularity in the last several years. In fact, experts expect them to make up 50% of new car sales by 2030. This means new opportunities for electricians to provide the services and equipment that EV owners and manufacturers require.
At-home charger stations –EV owners want the security and convenience of at-home charging stations. This allows them to charge their EVs at home to ensure a full battery each day. These charging stations are in high demand, which means they need the service of qualified electricians to do the installation and maintenance.
Ultimately, the field is moving fast, and electrical contractors need to find low-risk opportunities to enter it while the barrier for entry is relatively low. This is why an existing market of charger installations with high demand is a perfect opportunity to learn new skills and find partners for growth and success.
Become a Qmerit Certified Solutions Partner for Electrification Jobs and Training
As the largest network of certified EV charger installers in North America, Qmerit is North America’s electrification leader and is recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike.
Our network of certified electricians has installed more EV chargers and other electrification technologies in the last decade than anyone else in the industry—more than 450,000 EV charging station installations, 37,000 battery storage installations, 81,000 solar panel system integrations, and 86,000 electric panel upgrades in homes and businesses across the U.S. and Canada! We have the knowledge and experience to help electrical contractors grow their electrification business.
By joining our unique Certified Solutions Partner program, you can access comprehensive training on installing and servicing energy transition technologies, including access to the prestigious Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) and direct training and installation opportunities with our leading auto manufacturer and EVSE partners.
But we don’t just help you train your existing electricians—Qmerit is here to help you build your business every step of the way. Partner with Qmerit today to learn more about recruiting new electricians for your electrical contracting company and building your business for tomorrow!
