A new logo and an updated website are helping to shine a spotlight on the many exciting things happening at the National Utility Industry Training Fund.

“We’re always thinking about how to make everything better for IBEW members today and to build for their future,” said Mark Baker, an international representative with the Utility Department who also serves as NUITF’s executive director. “Quality training is critical to the success of our union and the entire utility industry.”

A partnership between the IBEW and utility companies in the U.S. and North American utility companies, NUITF (pronounced NOO-tiff) was created to provide industry workers with the best specialized education and training curricula available, in collaboration with the Electrical Training Alliance.

“The credibility of our programs comes from NUITF’s collaboration with the IBEW’s utility partners,” said Baker, such as Southern, DTE Energy and Evergy. “Ongoing education, in the classroom and on the job, is crucial for keeping our members up to date on ever-changing technical and industry requirements.”

Baker stressed that local unions’ leaders are always part of any training development partnership between the IBEW and NUITF, “because we have to develop curricula that work, with help from subject matter experts on both sides of the bargaining table,” he said.

NUITF’s wide range of offerings includes courses for power, water and sewer plant electricians, as well as for electrical and telecommunications lineworkers, substation technicians, and cable splicers.

“Our programs go hand in hand with on-the-job training to set up our Utility Branch members for success throughout their careers,” Baker said.

At training centers across North America, NUITF’s offerings take advantage of the latest technologies where possible — including augmented and virtual reality platforms — to enhance learning and maximize field preparation.

A host of new training offerings are in development right now, Baker said.

“Our natural gas program is far and away our biggest and most ambitious one,” said Baker, who hopes to have it ready for launch in the coming months.

NUITF is working with its training partners on ways to integrate a three-dimensional simulator into the electric meter program, he said. It’s also developing courses for overhead catenary systems and drone pilot licensing and is planning to adapt the IBEW’s Foreman Development Series for use with utility workers.

“We’re even dipping our training toes into some classifications in the nuclear space,” Baker said.

There are also discussions about how — or whether — to use artificial intelligence with training.

“Years ago, our truck mechanics had to shift from gas engines to diesel engines, and now trucks are going to hybrids and even all-electric,” he said. “The point is, we want our people to keep their jobs, but there’s going to be some new skills they’ll have to learn on the electrical side of things.”

The same goes for AI, Baker said.

“It’s coming,” he said. “Everybody’s trying to figure out how to make AI work to make someone’s job easier without taking it away. So are we.”

Another way that NUITF can add value for the IBEW is in organizing campaigns.

“It goes along with all the other benefit resources that are out there, like the Family Medial Care Plan and the National Electric Benefit Fund,” he said. “My pitch is this: You’ve got all this stuff in your toolbox. Pull out NUITF as well. Whenever you hear the word ‘training,’ think of us.”

Baker has made it part of his mission to attend as many IBEW and utility industry events as possible to raise awareness about NUITF.

“We’re always trying to think about where there are opportunities for us to support our membership with training and education,” he said. “It’s an incredibly exciting time at NUITF.”

Baker emphasized that a trained workforce is a safe one.

“If NUITF can save one life or prevent one accident, it’s all been worth it.”

Learn more at nuitf.org.