A look at the Sound and Communications Industry in Northern California

* Presented by the Northern California Sound and Communications Training Trust in Las Vegas, NV, November 8-9, 1999 by Vincent J. Cosentino, Regional Training Director

Telephone Company breakup, private companies enter market

The telephone company breakup spawns new start-up companies in the installation and service business. A number of companies were formed to compete with the Bell companies.

The 80’s — A Decade of Changes

Computers talking over Local Area Networks (LAN) systems spawn new companies. LAN networks from Ethernet to fiber backbones have been the fastest growing area of the industry for the last five years.

IBEW Local 202 assigned to inside wireman locals

An IBEW Local Union of technical workers covering Northern California was divided among the Inside Wireman Locals of the area. In 1987, a regional CBA was negotiated. This CBA is administered in each area by the Inside Locals. This CBA insures complete portability of communications workers within the region.

Market

The market grew from $16.5 million in 1994 to $150 million in 1999. With no change in the growth pattern, this market could be $1 billion by 2003.

*In 2000, the market grew to $225 million.

Working Members

Sound and Communication membership grows with the market expansion. In 1994, there were 300 Sound and Communication workers. In 1999, the number of Sound and Communication workers jumped to 1,660.

*Today there are over 2,200 Sound and Communication workers divided among 7 IBEW locals.

Participating Contractors

The number of participating Sound and Communication contractors has increased from 71 employers in 1994, to 80 employers in 1998, to 119 employers in 1999.

* Today there are more than 130 contractors.

NORCAL Scope of Services

• Telephones
• Public Address
• Local Area Networks
• Pro Audio
• Fire Alarm
• Pro Video
• Security
• Nurse Call
• Access Control
• CCTV

NORCAL S&C JATC

The Northern California Regional Sound and Communication JATC Trust oversee the industry. There are eight trustees. Locals that choose to host a training program receive funding from the Northern California Trust.

Curriculum

Local programs have access to written curriculum developed by the NORCAL office. National JATC curriculum is now available for all three years of the apprenticeship program.

Training Commitment

Sound and Communication employers contribute 30 cents per man-hour to JATC training. Since 1994, contributions rose dramatically. In 1994, $89,000 was distributed to training. In 1999, $805,000 was distributed.

Local Programs Sign On

Six locations in Northern California are now hosting classes for Sound and Communication workers.

Apprentice Registrations

More and more apprentices are joining the three-year Sound and Communication program. In 1994, the JATC trained about 125 workers. In 1999 that number jumped to about 450 workers.

Finding Space and More Classrooms

All classes are housed in the local Electrical JATC centers. Additional classrooms have been added in the electrical centers to make room for the exploding market demand.

In most centers, lecture and lab space are shared.

Training

Local JATCs use vendors, guests, instructors, employers or manufacturing representatives to help teach training classes. BICSi is the certification most recognized by employers, and required by customers, in the telecommunications industry. JATC training includes:

• National JATC three-year program
• BICSi apprentice certifications
• Confined space entry certification
• First aid and CPR
• Scissor Lift Orientation
• Labor History
• Sexual Harassment Awareness

Vendor Training

Below is a list of some of the participating vendors in Northern California who have helped with JATC training:

• Amp
• Panduit
• Lucent
• Ideal Tools
• Krone
• Ortronics
• Nicet