An IBEW-NECA program that provides active servicemembers with a pathway into the electrical industry soon will get a national platform — and perhaps an additional $250,000 in funding.
The Veterans Electrical Entry Program, which is administered by the Electrical Training Alliance, is one of six finalists for the Truist Foundation’s Inspire Award.
The award honors nonprofit organizations across the United States that advance economic mobility for individuals and strengthen small businesses. The foundation is administered by Truist Financial Corp.
The winners will be announced during a livestream Nov. 12 hosted by “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts. First prize is a $250,000 grant. The runner-up will receive a $125,000 grant, and the remaining finalists will receive $25,000.
“It’s a very big deal,” said Todd Stafford, the training alliance’s executive director. “We’ve found another funding opportunity.”
Founded in 2019, VEEP is funded entirely by the alliance, the official training partner for the IBEW and NECA since 1947.
Active servicemembers go through a seven-week pre-apprenticeship with pay just before being discharged. They are guaranteed a spot in a local union’s apprenticeship program upon graduation.
Stafford said the alliance has been working for the last three years with A.M. Crawford, a San Francisco-based consulting firm that specializes in identifying funding opportunities that its nonprofit clients might overlook.
The alliance was thinking primarily in terms of grants and funding from government entities, particularly on the local and state level.
“This is the kind of money we’ve never fought for before.”
– Todd Stafford, Electrical Training Alliance executive director
But A.M. Crawford suggested the Truist program, and Stafford credited Greg McMurphy — who recently retired as head of VEEP’s inside program — for making the original pitch and showing foundation officials the importance of the program.
“This is the kind of money we’ve never fought for before,” Stafford said. “We decided we were going to go for it, and so far, it’s been quite successful.”
VEEP pre-apprenticeship programs began at Anchorage, Alaska, Local 1547 and have gradually spread across the country. But spots in them remain highly competitive. Continuing that expansion and finding more spots for service members takes money, so fundraising is critical.
Beyond the money, current IBEW members can take pride that the state-of-the-art training programs in both inside and outside construction will be given a national audience, Stafford said.
“This has really opened a door for us,” he said. “What I’m excited about is that from an international perspective, it gives everyone an overview of IBEW training.”
Viewers wanting to watch the livestream must go to www.truist.com/purpose/truist-foundation and click on the Inspire Awards tab to register.
