Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) members and chapter leaders from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. May 4-6 for the 2026 IEC Policy Conference, engaging directly with congressional offices, administration officials, and policy leaders on the issues impacting America’s electrical and construction industries.
The conference brought together approximately 50 attendees representing IEC chapters and contractor members nationwide. Participants conducted more than 70 meetings with congressional offices, advocating for policies that support fair and open competition, workforce development, tax relief, permitting reform, immigration, and construction safety.
This year’s conference was especially timely, taking place during National Skilled Trades Day, Small Business Week, Construction Safety Week, and National Teachers Day — highlighting the essential contributions of skilled trades professionals, educators, and small business owners in the IEC community building and powering America.
Attendees heard from administration officials, merit shop-friendly candidates, and policy experts on a range of legislative and regulatory developments affecting the construction industry. Discussions focused heavily on the growing demand for skilled labor, the importance of apprenticeship and workforce training programs, and the need for policies that encourage competition on taxpayer-funded construction projects and reduce needless permitting delays on infrastructure and energy projects.
IEC leaders emphasized the organization’s continued commitment to expanding career opportunities in the electrical industry through apprenticeship and workforce development initiatives and partnerships. With demand for 80,000 net new electricians per year for the next decade, IEC members reinforced the importance of practical, employer-driven workforce development and apprenticeship models that help address workforce shortages while creating pathways to rewarding careers in the electrical trades and future entrepreneurship.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor Dr. Henry Mack, head of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, provided updates to attendees on the Trump administration’s recent education and apprenticeship policy reforms and funding opportunities.
Mack helped close out the conference with a fitting tribute to the recent National Apprenticeship Week (April 26-May 2), visiting with apprentices and graduates from M.R. Electricians of the IEC Chesapeake chapter, following an engaging Q&A session with attendees.
M.R. Electricians’ apprentices also gave Mack a hands-on demonstration in conduit bending, providing a memorable highlight to the event.
“With over 20,000 active apprentices, IEC is on the front line of in demand skill training and delivering on this administration’s agenda. Thank you for the conversation and opportunity to meet your apprentices. The takeaways: busting state apprenticeship councils who stand in the way of expansion and market demand, improving transparency in state standard registration, clarity on ratio flexibility, clarity on access to new funding streams, and innovation in RTI/OJT delivery. On it.” Mack said in a LinkedIn post following the event.
“IEC appreciates all participating members, chapter leaders, sponsors, IEC staff, speakers, and policymakers who contributed to a productive and successful week of advocacy in Washington,” IEC Executive Director Amy Biedenharn said. “The strong engagement throughout the conference reflects IEC’s continued leadership in advancing policies that support the merit shop electrical contracting industry and America’s skilled workforce.”