Mr. Widera are the classes you are refering to from "PACE PDH", co-sponsered by the IAEI?
I see that Keith Loftland is listed as the instructor for the NEC update classes for "PACE".
I can give some additional backround information on that arrangement if anyone is interested.
As a Chapter we need to do a better job with our IAEI live seminars, classes with nationally reconized instructors would be a good place to start, I know they are not always available but I think they draw the larger crowds.
I personally do not think the internet classes are worth the money they cost. I agree with Mr. Widera nothing beats a good live instructor.
I think the ECF has almost 40 contractors signed up for their "last chance" 14 hour CE program this Friday and Saturday
Most contractors I know take CEU's online because they want the easy way out, some CE providers advertise "14 hours of credit in 8 hours"(I have received these fliers). I have taken several on line courses and I could have put anyone in front of the computer to do the classes for me as some I know do (no accountability). If this is the future then maybe the Florida Chapter needs to step up and start developing some of these courses to keep up with the market demand.


Neal Burdick
COT Construction Inspector II

That's what I am saying Neal.
Sad, but complaining about poor attendance and how much better a live class is will not fix the issue.
As long as the ECLB and BCAB accepts online courses they will draw attendees.
And it will probably increase in time.
If we don't find a way to keep up with what the industry want's we will be left behind. With nothing.

Please see the attached document for an update on this matter.

Ladies, Gentlemen, Brethern all;

The latest and greatest news about this brouhaha is that the IO does not see anything wrong with partnering with PACE to produce these on line courses. The IO efforts started over 2 years ago under the direction of CEO James Carpenter. I do believe that their attitude and stance of not consulting with or notifying the Florida Chapter of this program illustrates perfectly the rhetorical question that IAEI members throughout the Southern Section have voiced for years. This question being "Is the IO a business or is it a membership serving intity ! ! ! ! ! Well guess what, I now fully understand that my membership with the IAEI is supporting a BUSINESS, rather than the needs of the membership base.

Historically the Florida Chapter was forced into the CE programs in 1993-1994 when the IO fell down on the job. Yes, the Chapter did request that they handle CE in Florida as the official IAEI representative. That did not come about and over the years much time has been committed by Chapter members to keep our CE program viable. WE did not and the current people do not get paid for their efforts on behalf of the Chapter. BUT the IO people do ! And they do not even have the simple courtesy to confer with us about on line courses; they just dropped it on us out of the blue last Thursday 08/12/10.

I have notified our Chapter President and Secretary that I personally feel that this just plain sucks ! I have also notified them that i am going on record this date on and until further notice that I am going to treat the IAEI-IO as being hostile to the membership. I am also going to treat them as being belligerent to the membership.

A large number of people in this great Florida Chapter devote selfishly of their time, energy, and professionalism for the common good of the Chapter, its Divisions, and the electrical industry. Even If I have to be a majority of one, I am making it my goal to impress this upon that office in Richardson TX.

Dick Widera

Okay my curiosity is up now.
A few years ago at the 75 year anniversary. When the io was stuck without a Florida approved course we accommodated them.

Where would one find a listing of the subject courses?
I would like to see if they have 14 hours if they cover all the specific courses required in Florida for Inspector/contractor alike.

Ruben,

The courses are the property of Pace. It is their provider number and course numbers that are listed in their web site. The email flyer that came out last week is misleading. It appears as if the IAEI-IO is the provider. This is further mitigated with the signing of Dave Clements' signature on the flyer. I think Mr. Sasso needs to contact his people in Tallahassee and see if every thing is on the up and up with this IAEI/Pace partnership and their application to the ECLB. And a legal partnership it is because they admitted to having a signed contract with Pace. Also I am waiting for Neal Burdick to provide what information he has about the IOP's keith Lofland being the designated instructor.

As the old saying gos; "The plot thickens."

Dick W.

Okay I am not familiar with PACE.
Since I did not receive the infamous email.
What is their website?

Well I found the site on my own.
http://www.pacepdh.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.home&pageID=128
Currently, They offer all the courses for contractors but not inspectors.
Coming soon to a theater near you?
For $125.00
And they have like four testimonials from Florida contractors.
Here is a excerpt from their site:
Pace has courses to fulfill your 14 hour continuing education requirement. We currently do not have the 2-hour false alarm requirement for alarm system contractors.

Technical code change courses are here! Pace has partnered with the International Association of Electrical Inspectors(IAEI) to develop the best online electrical code change courses available. Members of the twenty NEC code-making panels contributed to the development of the authoritative text used in this online course.

So does this mean some of the roadrunners have participated in this venture? And they did not let anyone know?

BTW,
I don't see Keith Lofland listed as a instructor on any of the courses. It appears to be Bonnie Hite.

Well I also looked at the prices:
This is a cut a paste so it is not formatted well.
Technical
Active Solar Energy Systems (BSP/GEN) 1.00 $11.00
Daylighting for Energy Efficiency (BSP/GEN) 1.00 $11.00
NEC 2008 Analysis of Changes - Part I (T) 4.00 $44.00
NEC 2008 Analysis of Changes - Part II (T) 4.00 $44.00

Workplace Safety
Fall Protection (WPS/GEN) 2.00 $22.00
Hand and Power Tools Safety (WPS/GEN) 1.00 $11.00
Lockout/Tagout (WPS/GEN) 2.00 $22.00
Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment (WPS/GEN) 2.00 $22.00
Scaffolds and Scaffold Safety (WPS/GEN) 1.00 $11.00
Stairways and Ladders Safety (WPS/GEN) 1.00 $11.00

Business Practices
The Building Envelope (BSP/GEN) 1.00 $11.00

Workers Compensation
Workers Compensation - A Brief History (WC/GEN) 1.00 $11.00

General
Advanced FBC, Enforcement and Education (ADV/GEN) 1.00 $11.00
Advanced FBC, The Florida Building Commission (ADV/GEN) 1.00 $11.00

Advanced Module
Advanced FBC, Permits & Applications (ADV/GEN) 1.00 $11.00
Advanced Florida Building Code (ADV/GEN) 1.00 $11.00

So for the interim I would see if a live class can compete with those prices.
It appears to be $11.00 per hour.
Even though they state:
Price Match Guarantee
If you find a better deal anywhere, call us at (800) 576-4341 and we’ll match it.

I performed a quick google serach for "Florida Electrical Contractor Online Courses." Here's what came up. The point is that there are many, many, many, online educational opportunities for electrical professionals here in Florida. None of these in my opinion are greatly impacting the Chapter's and Division's seminar attendance.

I also don't feel that the IAEI name attached to one will make all that great of an impact either. There may be a last minute rush for those out there that wait until the end of August on renewal year to get the required hours. These guys are always looking for the easy way out regardless of where it comes from.

This can also be used to the advantage of our members. I had one member contact me that was lacking his 1-hour Advanced Module credit. We offered the course for free to our members but he wasn't able to attend that meeting. So, I gave him the link to the PACE website. He contacted PACE directly and they gave him the course for FREE, a $11 value. As far as he is concerned, it was his membership to the IAEI that got him the free course.

So, I am going to make the best of the situation since there is nothing else that can be done about it.

Electrician License School Online
http://www.electricianlicenseschoolonline.com/florida.html

Jade Learning
http://www.jade1.com/jadecc/registration/course_listing.php?state=FL&trade=Electrical

Red Vector
http://www.redvector.com/Home/Contractor/FLContractorCE.aspx

Contractor’s Institute
http://www.contractorsinstitute.com/

Mike Holt
http://www.mikeholt.com/previewstatecourses.php?id=20

NFPA Online
http://www.nfpa.org/catalog/category.asp?category_name=Training%20(Computer-Based)&cookie%5Ftest=1

UL University
http://www.uluniversity.us/common/ncsresponse.aspx?rendertext=onlinelearning