Chris Taran Awarded the 2019 NETCO Leadership Excellence Award
Aug 12, 2019
The National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO)—jointly sponsored by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Canada and the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA)—announced the recipient of its annual Leadership Excellence Award. “The Leadership Excellence Award honours an industry training professional for his/her outstanding contribution to success in apprenticeship and continuing electrical training across Canada,” said NETCO President & IBEW International Vice-President Tom Reid.
The award was presented to Mr. Chris Taran, RSE at NETCO’s 2019 training conference Vancouver, British Columbia where he was applauded by electrical industry training professionals from across Canada. “Mr. Taran, RSE is a leader in innovation and leadership to electrical apprenticeship,” said NETCO Treasurer & CECA President David Mason. Chris is the Director of Apprenticeship and Training at IBEW Local 2085 in Manitoba. He is a champion of Red Seal Occupational Standards, apprenticeship and continuing electrical training. Prior to joining the IBEW Local 2085 team, he had a successful career in the electrical trades for over 20 years and earned his Certificate of Qualification—Construction Electrician as well as his Diploma as a Technical Vocational Instructor. He is passionate about promoting the choice of a Skilled Trades in the construction industry. He has volunteered numerous hours to Skills Canada and often speaks at high schools and career symposiums.
Chis was instrumental in developing the Virtual Reality Construction Orientation Program for New Construction Workers. Chris manages pre-employment classes, two high school programs and may classes for safety-training, high voltage, fire alarm, solar, Vehicle charging, electrical code, pyrotechnics, tutoring, and many more. Chris’s nominators had labeled him as “a fantastic leader for our IBEW Local 2085 Code of Excellence Training Centre”.
Taran started his career in the electrical industry in 1995. He obtained his Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal Endorsement in 2000. After several years working at his trade his focus shifted to teaching as a trade’s instructor and in 2012, he was appointed the Directors of Apprenticeship and Training IBEW Local 2085. As a leader in the apprenticeship field he is responsible for curriculum, training delivery, staff and organizational partnerships. He is a member of NETCO’s National Training Committee. Chris is a graduate of the Technical Vocational Teacher program from Red River College and is currently completing his Business Management degree from the University of Winnipeg.
