NEII Insider 2023: Edition 6

NEII and NEIEP Partner at SkillsUSA Techspo Trade Show

NEII, in partnership with the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), participated in the SkillsUSA Techspo Trade Show, which was held June 20-22, 2023, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event offered the industry a chance to share the opportunities for fulfilling careers in the vertical transportation industry with students who are interested in working in a building trade.

The elevator industry leaders co-sponsored a booth with hands-on simulations to help students visualize a day on the job as an elevator and escalator technician. Several mechanics from NEII member companies were onsite to speak with students about their career paths and the rewarding work the industry provides.

The Techspo Trade Show is part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, which features more than 6,500 career and technical education students—all state winners—who participate in a variety of trade, technical and leadership competitions. This was the first time the elevator industry has participated in this event.

SkillsUSA is a national organization with chapters in every state, serving more than 300,000 middle school, high school, as well as college/postsecondary students interested in pursuing careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. According to SkillsUSA, 49.6% of their students are from historically underrepresented groups by race and ethnicity, and 38% identify as female. We are hopeful that continued participation in the SkillsUSA Techspo Trade Show will allow the industry to continue to improve diversity and inclusion in the industry’s workforce.

NEII's June piece in Elevator World: Help Is on Its Way

NEII has submissions in every edition of Elevator World in 2023. Our most recent article was written by our Senior Director of Codes Kevin Brinkman. Read Help Is on Its Way, which we discuss the code enhancements and technology that has made strides in supporting riders with hearing, speech and vision impairments along with emergency communications.

Our July article is on NEII-1 Building Standards. If you do not already receive Elevator World, you can get a subscription here.

Upcoming Recruitments

The elevator industry is hiring elevator constructor apprentices. Below are the upcoming local recruitments. Please share these opportunities as appropriate.

Currently, there are open recruitments in

June 29-July 21 in Reading-Allentown, PA

Upcoming recruitments:

July 3-28 in Greensboro, NC
July 19-August 17 in St. Louis, MO
July 28-August 11 in Nashville, TN
August 1-31 in Omaha, NE

For more information on the industry and training and recruitment opportunities, please visit neiep.org.

Code Development Update

ASME A17/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators: ASME A17/CSA B44: The 2022 edition is currently being prepared for publication which is tentatively scheduled for July 31, 2023. The effective date will be 6 months from the publication date. ASME works on a continuous process, so committees are developing changes for the 2025 edition. Proposals can be submitted at any time during the cycle. Any changes not approved during the cycle are carried over to the next cycle.

ICC International Building Code Series (I-Codes): ICC has released its schedule for the 2027 edition, including some changes to the procedures. They will hold two sets of committee hearings for each group of changes. Group A will be heard in 2024 and Group B in 2025. A joint Public Comment Hearing will be held in 2026. Proposed changes for Group A of the 2027 edition will be due by January 8, 2024.

ICC A117.1 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities: The A117 committee is meeting virtually every two weeks to review proposed revisions for the next edition. There were over 250 proposals submitted and the committee has completed the first round of review. A committee ballot and public review period is currently open until July 31.

NFPA 70 National Electric Code – NFPA is now accepting proposals for changes for the 2026 edition. Proposals will be accepted until September 7, 2023.

NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code – Changes for the 2024 editions are being finalized, including several proposals from NEII. Publication of the 2024 editions is expected later this year. Work on the 2027 edition will begin in 2024.