NALMCO Summer 2024 Update
July 23, 2024
With my vice president role with the International Association of Lighting Management Companies (NALMCO) extended one year, I’m pleased to share updates I hope you find useful to your business. If you are not a member, I have served on the NALMCO Board of Directors since 2021 and would be happy to answer any questions you have about NALMCO and the benefits membership and certification can provide you and your company.
NALMCO Pilots High School Trades Program
Image credit: Acuity Brands
In partnership with Acuity and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) NALMCO is helping high school juniors and seniors prepare for careers in the trades through an electrical apprenticeship with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The program incorporates NALMCO’s Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician (CALT) and Certified Senior Lighting Technician (CSLT) certifications into its curriculum.
A pilot of the program held this spring involved six students, with all passing their certifications and one receiving an apprenticeship offer for after graduation. Given this initial success, the program is included in the new school year this fall at MPS with plans to expand it into other school districts moving forward.
MPS Youth Apprentice Program Leader Sharitta Wicks noted the valuable skills students acquired while completing their electrical apprenticeship through the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: “Our lighting students are making great strides in mastering lighting techniques. A big thanks to NALMCO , Acuity Brands and Milwaukee Public Schools for providing the opportunity to delve into lighting systems and efficiency!”
The program provides a direct path for young adults interested in the trades or working in the lighting industry. Future careers include those needed immediately by the industry like lighting auditor, designer and technician. More broadly, the program prepares participants for employment with manufacturers, lighting and electrical distributors and related sales roles. It also positions students for countless opportunities within the rapidly expanding controls sector. All of these are attractive career options offering stable, lifelong careers with great income potential.
Do you know of a local school district that could benefit from a trades program like this? Let me know at bbaker@emcllc.com.
Certification Updates
We expect updates to both the Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician™ (CALT™) and the Certified Senior Lighting Technician™ (CSLT™) to be released before the end of the year. Both will include expanded LED, troubleshooting and controls content.
We are finalizing the training manual for the Certified Lighting Auditor (CLA) certification, including a 75-question online test format like the CALT and CSLT exams. It will be ready for release before the end of summer.
While there are no new updates about germicidal ultraviolet (GUV), NALMCO is planning in-person GUV training along with CLMC content review with live proctored exams at the Annual Convention and Trade show this fall.
Annual Convention and Trade Show
Mark your calendars and join us at the NALMCO Annual Convention:
Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate
Champions Gate, Florida
October 13 - 16
I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones in October.
Until then, be well.
Brian Baker, CLMC, CLCP, CLEP is principal project manager at EMC and serves as vice president on the 2023 NALMCO Board of Directors. He may be reached at bbaker@emcllc.com.
