NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) has been selected as a national partner in a new U.S. Department of Labor-funded initiative led by Jobs for the Future (JFF) to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in the industries powering America’s future.
Through a four-year, $40 million Pay-for-Performance award from the U.S. Department of Labor, JFF and its national partners will work together to increase Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in occupations that support artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and nuclear energy infrastructure. As one of eight national implementation partners, IEC will help connect electrical contractors with apprenticeship resources, expand employer participation, and strengthen the skilled workforce needed to meet growing demand.
The announcement comes at a pivotal time for the electrical industry. New IEC workforce research shows the electrical contracting industry continues to experience rapid growth, driven by data center construction, grid modernization, advanced manufacturing, and energy infrastructure projects.
Merit shop electrical contractors now account for more than 81% of all electrical contracting firms, employ approximately 400,700 electricians, and have experienced 10% employment growth since 2023. At the same time, workforce development remains the industry’s greatest challenge as demand for skilled electricians continues to outpace supply.
“America’s investment in critical infrastructure depends on a strong pipeline of skilled electricians,” said Amy Biedenharn, Executive Director of IEC. “Registered Apprenticeship has always been one of the most effective ways to build that workforce. Through this partnership, IEC will help more contractors expand apprenticeship opportunities while preparing the next generation of electricians for careers that are building and powering our country’s future.”
IEC currently educates more than 22,000 active apprentices through its nationwide network of chapters, representing nearly one-third of the merit shop apprenticeship market. Through this initiative, IEC will work with contractors, chapters, and industry partners to expand apprenticeship participation, strengthen workforce pipelines, and ensure electrical contractors have access to the talent needed to meet growing demand across the nation’s most critical industries.
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