BlackRock is investing $100 million over five years to train up to 50,000 skilled craft workers needed to build the data centers and power infrastructure fueling the AI boom, as demand for electricians and other trades continues to surge. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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INDUSTRY NEWS

Infrastructure Investor BlackRock Makes $100M Pitch to Train More Craft Workers

BlackRock is investing $100 million over five years to train up to 50,000 skilled craft workers needed to build the data centers and power infrastructure fueling the AI boom, as demand for electricians and other trades continues to surge. ENR

 

Tampa Swings for the Fences With New Baseball Stadium Proposal

The Major League Baseball team has published plans for its new “forever home” to be located on approximately 130 acres in Tampa’s Westshore District and Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus. The team estimates the $2.3 billion project will bring in 10 million annual visitors and more than 175 events annually. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine

NECA NEWS

EMERGE202

Lock in Your Spot Before It's Too Late

NECA EMERGE is quickly approaching! This dynamic conference brings several former events together into one powerful, all-in-one experience. Employees from every department can attend and gain insights, strategies, and trends that will help strengthen your company and boost your bottom line. With five educational tracks and an exhibit hall full of innovative solutions, EMERGE is the place to be this April!

Learn More
March 2026 NTW (8)

Connections on the Coast

Members and Chapters from the Midwest Region gathered in beautiful Hawaii last week for their bi-annual conference! More than 250 attendees connected to receive district updates, hear from inspiring speakers, and share ideas and best practices with peers from across the region. The conference provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships, discuss industry priorities, and celebrate the work being done by NECA contractors throughout the Midwest!

Legislative Conference

Make Your Voice Heard Where it Matters Most

Join fellow NECA members in Washington, D.C. from May 4-6 for the NECA Legislative Conference and take the electrical contracting industry directly to Capitol Hill. Connect with peers, hear the latest policy updates, and meet with lawmakers to advocate for the issues that impact your business and workforce. Be part of the conversations shaping the future of our industry.

Register Today
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2026 Project Excellence Awards

The NECA Project Excellence Awards are currently accepting submissions! Contractors of all sizes are encouraged to submit their standout electrical construction projects across 13 award categories. This prestigious program celebrates the innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication of NECA contractors and their teams. Whether your company completed a large-scale project or delivered exceptional work on a smaller job, this is your opportunity to showcase your achievements! Projects must have been completed in 2025 to be eligible.

Apply Today

UPCOMING EVENTS

In-Person Events

NECA EMERGE 2026

Atlanta, GA | April 13-15

Legislative Conference

Washington, DC | May 4-6

Safety Professionals Conference

Atlanta, GA | May 18-20

Advanced Executive Leadership Institute

Durham, NC | May 31-June 5

2026 Future Leaders Conference

June 15-17 | Pittsburgh, PA

Significant Dates

Women's History Month

St. Patrick's Day | March 17

LEARNING CENTER

Virtual Classrooms

The Future is Now - BIM

March 24 | 9:00 a.m. ET

How to Define and Manage AI Initiatives

April 2 | 3:00 p.m. ET

Boring AI: Automating Repetitive Tasks

May 7 | 3:00 p.m. ET

Building a Case to Win - Claims & Change Orders

May 19 | 9:30 a.m. ET

Confidence: From Vibe to Value – Coding Faster Than Copy/Paste

June 4 | 3:00 p.m. ET

Transform Your Organization for the Future

June 9 | 12:00 p.m. ET

Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction

June 15-26 | 10:00 a.m. ET

Advanced Estimating Strategies

June 15-18 | 12:30 p.m. ET

Webinars

I-9 and Worksite Enforcement: The Current State of Play & Best Practices for Compliance

March 19 | 3:00 p.m. ET

PREMIER PARTNERS

2024 Premier Partners

NECA, 1201 Penn. Ave. NW, Suite 1200, Washington, D.C. 20004

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