As design-build contractual arrangements become more frequently utilized as a project delivery method, electrical contractors who provide services that range from pre-construction to commission, are becoming involved much earlier in projects than they have in the past. Not only are they entering contractual agreements where they are responsible for purchasing, fabricating, and installing their work but they are also designing large portions of the projects as well. Electrical contractors have become critical team members who provide basis-of-design documents, perform design-assist, and are even becoming the engineer-of-record for their particular segment of the work. Electrical contractors have always carried the labor risk of most construction contracts. It is not uncommon today to find that electrical contractors are often asked to complete design based on schematic drawings and basis of design specifications. The depth of this trend is changing the knowledge level requirements of electrical contractors’ employees and new recruits to these firms. Electrical contractors continue to face challenges in recruiting new employees from university-level construction management programs. A reoccurring discussion among many electrical contractors is how to better attract students to interviews and entice them to work in the electrical contracting industry. This research project seeks to determine methods to: 1) attract young employees to the electrical contracting industry and 2) seek employment with NECA contractors.

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