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from the editorDo we really have a labour squeeze?Recognize that youwill need to train.One of the things that makes my job interesting isI never know what may cross my desk. The otherday, I received a statement from the CEO ofActionCoach Canada, Greg Kopchuk, who has surveyedover 1000 business owners across the country. He askedthem what was most challenging about running theirbusinesses, and always among the top answers was:Finding good people.Which led Kopchuk to wonder whether there wasreally an employment problem, or whether businessessimply couldn’t find people who were willing to workhard and be trained.“Canadian employers need to take the time to trainpeople in their industry,” concludes Kopchuk, addingthey also have to take a more active role in the recruitmentprocess.He’s definitely right about taking a bigger interest inthe recruitment process, though he’s not the first to bringthis to light. Back in January 2008, for example, I wroteabout a session on “Recruitment Interviewing” deliveredby Cheryl Crumb at NETCO’s (National ElectricalTrade Council’s) 2007 National Training Symposium.She explained the nuances of interviewing, particularlyas it relates to a potential apprentice candidate, orapprentice for your company (though these techniquescan apply to anyone, anywhere). Like onions, peoplehave many layers, and she identified the three layerswith which interviewers should be concerned.Let’s cut to the chase: it’s Level 3 we want.A person’s third layer (Level 3) reveals their attitudesand job beliefs; this ultimately tells you the kind ofperson you’re bringing on board, and whether you’ll behappy with them.“We must learn to ask Level 3 questions from theoutset,” Crumb said, arguing we shouldn’t place toomuch importance on resumes, which only serve to listthe basic things the candidate must have. “Beyond that,[resumes] tell you nothing of the individual [and] let’sface it: an electrical apprentice won’t consider resumewritingan Essential Skill.”Several years later, Kopchuk is providing the sameadvice for finding the best employees. “Look for attitudefirst. If you find talented/hardworking people, hire themright away,” he says, adding those people are out there—you just need to put some effort into recruiting them.Recognize that you will need to train. Everyone hastheir own way of doing things, and schools—howeverwell-meaning—simply cannot keep pace with businessand technology. Use this to your advantage whenrecruiting. “Offer to give [candidates] the skills theyneed,” says Kopchuk. “That way, you’ll get the employeeyou want and skills that will benefit your business.”And, again, Kopchuk emphasizes attitude over skills,and I couldn’t agree with him more: “Don’t hire skillsover attitude. One person with hustle is worth 10 peoplewho don’t care”.ContentsFEATURESDEPARTMENTSStock photoOn the coverand page 14Smart gridoutlook 2010:Business benefit, data,analytics and customercentrictechnologies aheadSeveral trends will continueto drive smart grid activity in2010, based on the notion thatthe smart grid is really justan integrated toolset toefficiently plan, design andreliably operate the grid in asustainable manner.18 The role of overcurrent protectivedevices in electrical safetyProperly spec’d and installed overcurrent protective devices can go a long way in helping minimizethe catastrophic effects of an accidental arc flash/blast.22 Continuing education & training keyto information technology successForward-thinking electrical contractors are addingdatacom to their list of one-stop services; but to keeppace with technological change, they face the sameeducational challenges as students just entering careers incommunications infrastructure.24 They say “class-leading” and“segment-best”, but you decideEBMag was pleased to have the opportunity to sit in on amedia-only, sneak peek of Chevrolet’s new 2011 Silverado HDbefore it was officially shown off at the Chicago Auto Show...and Chevy execs are pretty pleased with whatthey’ve assembled.4 Industry News7 Calendar10 Mind Your SafetyHard hats and jerking knees... again12 From the Legal DeskDuty of fairness restored in tender situations16 Letters to the Editor26 Products30 Code FileInterconnecting solar power systems30 The Code Conundrumpage 26www.EBMag.com • April 2010 • 3