EICA was formed in 2015 to address a need identified by Employers and others in the electrical construction industry, that of crane operation near and around electrical lines, as well as the normal difficult terrain found in transmission line construction environments.
While other entities were doing crane certifications based on both construction and railroad scenarios, nobody specifically addressed the electrical power line environment. If you are working in the electrical construction industry, particularly in the power line construction segment of that industry, we believe we are the certification entity that will be held in the highest regard by your current and future employers.
EICA is a testing agency only; we do not conduct any training for crane operators or provide training material. However, our certification testing will often be conducted at the request of a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) facility, both for their apprentices and Journeymen in their area. These JATCs are a joint effort of Labor Unions and Employer Associations, and are located in the 48 contiguous states, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. Our testing can be the result of a request from any of the JATCs or at the request of Employers in the Electrical Industry. These employers include outside line construction employers, inside electrical employers and electrical utilities.
If you are working in the electrical industry, and need a Crane Operators Certification, talk to your employer or contact the JATC that covers your area. You will find out test procedures closely align with your work environment and offer you the best proof to your employer(s) that you are ready to be a safe and productive Crane Operator.
EICA MISSION STATEMENT
Promote responsible awareness through certification programs regarding safe and effective practices in the electrical industry; provide effective, valid, reliable and fair assessments that raise the standard of excellence for personnel and be the industry authority on those related occupations.
PURPOSE OF EICA
EICA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 to promote responsible awareness through certification programs regarding safe and effective practices in the electrical industry; provide effective, valid, and fair assessments that raise the standard of excellence for personnel engaged in the varied aspects of the electrical industry.
EICA’s initial objective is to establish a fair and independent evaluation of crane operator knowledge and skills as they pertain to the safe operation of cranes and digger derricks as used in the electrical construction and utility industry. Even before incorporation was formally obtained, EICA began to develop their crane certification program.
A Crane Working Committee (CWC) was established and began meeting in January of 2014. The CWC was comprised of Subject Matter Experts (SME) representing all eight Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATC) and met every 6-8 weeks. These SMEs have a thorough understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary for safe crane operations in the electrical industry.
The CWC reported to an Advisory Committee comprised of industry leaders from the Outside Line Construction segment of the electrical industry, both Labor and Management. They in turn reported to, and received direction from, a Board of Directors comprised of a broad spectrum of leaders from inside and outside the electrical industry.
The EICA Board of Directors included Employer management representatives, Executive Directors from several chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the Vice President, Labor Relations, of the National NECA staff, a senior representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), a senior representative of the Electrical Training Alliance, and a public-at-large member from the Investment community.