IEC is a trade association representing 3,000 electrical contractors in 60 chapters across the U. S. The I.E.C. Chesapeake has more than 110 members throughout the Washington, Northern Virginia and Baltimore Metropolitan areas.

Its members and partners represent an estimated 50,000 small businesses engaged in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring and devices for homes, schools, stores, highways, industrial plants, and similar projects.

IEC was founded in 1957, as the Associated Independent Electrical Contractors of America. The primary goal of the group was to consider and deal by all lawful means with common problems of management, distribution, employment, and financial functions of the electrical construction industry; to foster cooperative action in advancing by all lawful means the common purposes of its members, and promote activities designed to enable the industry to be conducted with the greatest economy and efficiency.

What Is IEC?

For more than 40 years, the Independent Electrical Contractors-IEC-has faced the challenges imposed by the changing world of the electrical industry. IEC has built a reputation as the premier trade association, aggressively working with the industry to establish a successful business environment for "Open Shop" Electrical Contractors.

The association serves as the voice of the electrical contracting industry on policies affecting its membership. IEC attempts to further the growth of our economy, providing skilled manpower, and promoting the principles of free enterprise.

The mission of IEC is, Providing Resources for Success Through Communication and Education
To fulfill this mission, IEC serves the following areas:.

• IEC MEMBER COMPANIES ARE SMALL BUSINESSES
  87% of IEC member companies report less than 50 employees.
  
  
• IEC MEMBER COMPANIES CARE ABOUT TRAINING
  The I.E.C. Chesapeake has twelve separate training locations, serving central, southern and western Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia & West Virginia. These programs are approved by the District of Columbia Apprenticeship Council, Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council (MATC), Virginia Department of Labor, and West Virginia Apprenticeship Council.
  
  
• IEC MEMBER COMPANIES DO ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL WORK
  Although commercial and residential work predominates, IEC members do institutional, industrial, utility, and service work all over the Baltimore and Washington Metro area.
  
  
• IEC MEMBER COMPANIES ARE WELL ESTABLISHED
  73% of IEC Companies were formed before 1980 with the earliest established in 1893.
  
  
• 37,800 PEOPLE ARE REPRESENTED BY IEC
  Company employees of IEC members number 37,872 from information gathered from the member survey. This is approximately 15% of the independent electrical workers in the nation. This allows for national and state representation on important legislative issues.

In addition, IEC has a dedicated professional national staff and Executive Committee committed to improving and protecting the interests of Independent Electrical Contractors.

IEC Mission: Providing Resources for Success Through Communication and Education.

History

IEC was founded in 1957, as the Associated Independent Electrical Contractors of America. The primary goal of the group was to consider and deal by all lawful means with common problems of management, distribution, employment, and financial functions of the electrical construction industry; to foster cooperative action in advancing by all lawful means the common purposes of its members, and promote activities designed to enable the industry to be conducted with the greatest economy and efficiency.

The association's first offices were located in Texas. In 1962, IEC was granted a certificate of incorporation. In 1972, IEC convinced the U.S. Department of Labor to adopt national pattern standards of Apprenticeship and Training. And for the first time, registered apprenticeship was recognized across the country for those adopting the "Open Shop" philosophy.

In subsequent years, IEC has grown from its original members to become an influential 76 chapter association representing over 3,500 electrical contractors and nearly 70,000 electrical workers. IEC has expanded its alliance to include over 10,000 apprentices who are in the process of becoming prominent and productive electricians. IEC will continue to expand its services to its members, as well as, being a strong voice for independent electrical contractors on the many issues affecting the industry.