WHY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT?
Building and sustaining a strong workforce is a strategic imperative for the long-term success of every electrical distributor. As workforce needs continue to evolve, NAED is committed to helping distributors address today's challenges while preparing for tomorrow's opportunities through a comprehensive Workforce Development strategy.
Workforce Development is the coordinated effort to help distributors build a strong, resilient, and future-ready workforce by expanding awareness of career opportunities, strengthening sustainable talent pipelines, supporting workforce engagement and retention, and equipping members with the resources, tools, partnerships, and workforce strategies needed to support the long-term sustainability of the electrical distribution industry.
“The pace of change in our industry is accelerating like never before. Workforce development has become a strategic imperative—one that directly addresses one of the most critical challenges we face: building and sustaining a strong, future-ready workforce. This focus is essential for the long-term health and success of the entire electrical distribution industry. We’re proud to lead this effort and excited about the collective impact we can achieve together.” — NAED President and CEO, Wes Smith
Watch his interview discussing Workforce Development:
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS AND GOALS
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS AND GOALS
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Attract: Expanding awareness and interest
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Build: Strengthening sustainable talent pipelines
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Develop: Supporting workforce engagement and retention
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Enable: Equipping distributors with workforce strategies, tools, resources, and partnerships
Elevate Awareness of the Electrical Distribution Industry and its Career Opportunities
Expand awareness of the electrical distribution industry and its career opportunities through Careers with Power, targeted outreach, and resources that help members attract future talent and position the industry as a career of choice.
Strengthen and Broaden Talent Pipelines for the Electrical Distribution Industry
Strengthen sustainable talent pipelines through strategic partnerships, practical resources, and industry connections that help members engage with new talent and build a skilled workforce capable of meeting current and future industry needs.
Support Career Growth and Retention in the Electrical Distribution Industry
Equip distributors with the workforce strategies, resources, tools, insights, and peer networks needed to strengthen workforce engagement and retention while building and sustaining a strong, resilient, and future-ready workforce.
MEASURING PROGRESS & GUIDING STRATEGY
The Workforce Development strategy spans a five-year horizon and is designed to create long-term impact while remaining practical, measurable, and responsive to evolving member needs. To measure progress and guide continuous improvement, NAED will use a combination of key performance indicators (KPIs) and ongoing engagement with the Workforce Development Advisory Group.
The Workforce Development Advisory Group serves as a strategic partner, bringing the voice of the industry directly into the strategy. Comprised of member leaders from across the industry, the group provides real-world insights that guide decision-making, keep initiatives member-focused, and help ensure NAED's efforts remain relevant and future-ready. Their input helps prioritize initiatives, align efforts with members' greatest workforce needs, and ensure resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. Through ongoing feedback and guidance, the Advisory Group helps NAED evaluate progress, refine priorities, and keep the strategy responsive to emerging workforce trends and evolving member needs.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS
ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS
- Micah Carlton, VP of Human Resources for Sonepar's Central Region
- Lindsey Cropper, VP Human Resources at United Electric Supply
- Erin Dunn, Director of Talent Development and Planning at Graybar
- Colleen Kozak, Executive VP of HR at Border States
- Adrienne Myrand, Vice President of Human Resources at McNaughton-McKay
- Melissa Neiberlein, VP of HR at Mars Electric
- Emily Schaffer, Director of HR, Schaedler Yesco Distribution, Inc.
- Kjirsten Mickesh, Chief Human Resources Officer at DSG
For more information, contact Chaney Disselhorst,
Senior Manager, Workforce Development Strategy, NAED.