Dr. Linda Little, who has taught and helped shape the curriculum for IBEW apprentices for more than 20 years, has been named assistant director of the IBEW/NECA Electrical Industry Training Center in St. Louis.
The 79-year-old training center is jointly operated by the IBEW Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). It has trained more skilled and safe electricians and communication technicians in Missouri than any education program in the state.
“Dr. Little has taught and guided countless apprentices through our training program and helped shape the curriculum to respond to rapidly advancing technology in our industry,” said Frank Jacobs, IBEW Local 1 business manager. “She was instrumental in developing the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Training Program (EVITP) for our National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC). It is now the standard for the industry nationwide.”
HIGHEST INDUSTRY SAFETY STANDARDS
“Beyond her help advancing NJATC curriculum, Dr. Little has also played an important role in ensuring the National Electrical Code reflects the highest safety standards in our industry,” said Doug Martin, St. Louis Chapter NECA executive vice president.
Little remains chairman of the National Electrical Code Panel 13, having served on the panel since 2005. She is the first female IBEW member in the history of the IBEW International Union to chair a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Electrical Code Panel. She also serves as vice chairman of the St. Louis County Electrical Code Review Committee.
Little received her doctor of philosophy in curriculum and instruction from Saint Louis University, where she completed a doctoral thesis exploring the “Importance of High School Mathematics for Building Trades Electrical Apprenticeship Training Programs.” She also holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University and a degree in mathematics from Fontbonne College.
EXTRAORDINARY CREDENTIALS
“We had many fine candidates for assistant director, but Dr. Little has extraordinary education credentials and a professional background as a teacher and advocate shaping our industry’s service to the nation’s electrical and communication needs,” said Dennis Gralike, IBEW/NECA Electrical Industry Training Center director.
GREATER DEMAND FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY
“Especially with all the challenges of COVID-19, the business and civic community can rest assured that Dr. Little’s selection as assistant director will fortify the already robust training program Director Dennis Gralike has in place,” noted Jim Curran, Electrical Connection executive vice president.
“We are seeing so much greater demand for the newer technology including enhanced connectability, cybersecurity, robotics, green energy and smart infrastructure. Dennis Gralike and Dr. Linda Little will deliver that highly skilled and safe workforce that is essential to meeting the rapid changes, including disruptive technologies, shaping our future,” Curran said.
In addition to jointly operating the IBEW/NECA Electrical Industry Training Center, IBEW Local 1 and St. Louis Chapter NECA also partner to form the Electrical Connection, which represents more than 5,000 highly skilled and safe IBEW electricians and the more than 150 NECA electrical contractors who employ them. Learn more at www.electricalconnection.org.
- Share this story:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-