RENO, Nev. (775 Times, NV Globe) – In Nevada, there is a scarcity of electricians, therefore an electrical contracting business is attempting to increase interest in the position.
“There’s a huge need, so we’re vastly understaffed,” said Cody Kinnison with Helix Electric of Nevada. “10 to 15 years ago, there was an abundance of electricians and now it’s kind of stopped and everyone’s kind of wanting to go into college. I really don’t think there’s a show of what construction and electrical can do for a young kid coming on up through the trade.”
They are now engaged in construction of a student housing project close to the University of Nevada.
“It’s a twelve story high rise,” said Kinnison. “It’s scheduled to be completed in the Summer of 2023. It offers 755 beds for the University.”
“It takes 3 to 4 years, typically, before you can just get somebody in here to know this.,” said Ed Bock, Superintendent with Helix Electric.
Alternatively, you may find yourself working on a little bigger undertaking, like the building’s backup generator.
“It supplies all the emergency power systems in the building,” said Jim Smalling, Project Manager with Helix. “So the fire alarm systems, the radio control for the fire department, any of the emergency systems that require power have to be backed up by the generator in this project.”