University of Wisconsin – Madison received top honors in the 2024 Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge. ELECTRI International – The Foundation for Electrical Construction (EC) – sponsors the annual competition for student chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association. This year, 12 teams from across the country submitted written proposals for the Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC).
During the competition, each team tackled various challenges that BIM engineers face, including creating a BIM execution plan, a detailed work assignment log, a prefabrication plan, installation drawings, and more. Teams worked with various forms of software that BIM engineers use in the industry. This included modeling electrical systems using Revit, doing coordination in Navisworks and Trimble Connect, and leveraging technology solutions offered by Trimble for office and field construction professionals.
A volunteer jury of EC industry leaders evaluated the student teams’ proposals and selected three finalists: Iowa State University, University of Wisconsin – Madison, and Wayne State University. ELECTRI invited these teams to attend the NECA Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Diego for in-person presentations about their proposed design-build project and solutions. Following the jury’s on-site deliberations, each of the universities received financial awards: First place to University of Wisconsin – Madison ($4,000); second place to Iowa State University ($3,000); and third place to Wayne State University ($2,000).
Both the jury and industry members who attended the ECIC competition finals commented upon the professionalism and enthusiasm of each team. Several noted the number of women who are now involved in the ECIC, a marked change from earlier years. Anna Jochim, ELECTRI’s Director of Future Workforce Development, highlighted the importance of the ECIC initiative. “This competition is an exploration for the students. We know there are excellent career opportunities in electrical construction and our goal is to make many more students aware of the positions they can hold working for and improving the EC industry across the United States and internationally.”
ELECTRI also offered financial awards for specific aspects of the 2024 ECIC competition:
- Most Innovative Use of Technology in Oral Presentation ($5,000 Presented by Trimble) – Iowa State University
- Best Presenter ($500)- Claudia Rea – Wayne State University (2024 graduate)
- Most Detailed BIM in Written Proposal ($500) – University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Most Innovative Use of XR-10 in Written Proposal ($1,000) – Penn State University
- Most Influential Media Campaign ($500) – Dunwoody College of Technology
Separate from the ECIC initiative, Student Chapters also competed for the 2024 Student Chapter of the Year Award. Based on its written proposal detailing the Student Chapter’s commitment to the construction profession and to its local community, The University of Wisconsin – Madison was selected for this award, with a $2,500 commitment from ELECTRI to the University.
Two Graduate Student Advisors guided the seven-member University of Wisconsin team. Alexa Rademacher had participated on the team prior to her graduation. She is enthusiastic about the ECIC and the importance of having an active NECA Student Chapter on campus. She told ELECTRI, “The ECIC is a great way for our very diverse student chapter to learn about the scope of work and details of electrical construction. This year, our team had the opportunity to learn from five electrical subcontractors and the networking was outstanding. Of all that we get to do as a NECA Student Chapter, the ECIC and our relationship with ELECTRI and NECA offer us the most impactful experiences we could possibly imagine.”
The 2025 ECIC Rules & Regulations are available on ELECTRI.org and team registration will open on January 1, 2025. NECA Student Chapters are encouraged to review the Request for Proposals to take maximum advantage of the educational sessions offered to all teams and the opportunities to work with local NECA Chapters and leading contractors in their area.
For additional information, visit Education – ELECTRI International or contact Anna Jochim at Anna.Jochim@electri.org.