This special NETA section of the magazine is a compilation of interviews conducted at the 2023 PowerTest Conference where we interviewed board members and thought leaders with great insights into NETA as it embarks on several strategic initiative, including adding the “I” for International. When I attended my first NETA conference over a decade ago, I have been impressed by the way members, who are often competitors, come together in a more collaborative way to make our industry better, safer, or reliable and resilient.

Alan Ross:
Another NETA Board member that we talked with was Virginia Balitski. Talk a little bit about your role here at NETA?

Virginia Balitski:
As you said, I am on the board of directors now, having started my term two years ago. (Editor’s Note: That was back in June 2023, so as of this publication it has been more than two years.) I have been working on a number of different committees, the safety committee, of course, & the training committee. That all ties right into my background and my experience. I am also on the promotions and marketing committee as well, so participating on a number of committees and then representing. We're getting NETA on the ASTM F18 committee, for personal protective equipment and I plan on serving there as well.

AR
Excellent. As I understand it, NETA is close to getting the first apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor here in the United States. Are you involved in that at all?

VB
Yes, as part of the training committee, we've been working on that for a bit. There's just such a need for it. It's a game changer. There's such a need for techs in the industry, and there's only so many programs out there that we can get techs into the industry. Working on something like this is to have a program that's ready to go. There are other options out there, certainly throughout Canada with our electrical engineering technology program, but then having other options here in the US approved by the Department of Labor to work on an apprenticeship program, giving the apprentice the knowledge that they need along with on-the-job training that they need to advance through their career. We believe this is critical to the future and something we have been working very hard on for several years.

AR
Thank you Virginia, you bring a lot of practical application and knowledge to NETA. My next guest is Bob Sheppard, who was also at the first NETA Conference I attended, and welcomed me with open arms.

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