EFC Networks by Job Function Drive Collaboration, Learning, and Industry Excellence

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Electro-Federation Canada’s Networks by Job Function continue to bring together professionals across the electrical industry to exchange knowledge, explore emerging trends, and learn from subject matter experts. Meeting several times a year, these networks (HR, Marketing, IT, and Supply Chain) offer members valuable forums to share best practices, benchmark against peers, and stay ahead of developments shaping their functional areas.

Over the past several weeks, three networks convened for engaging sessions, each providing timely insights and practical takeaways for attendees.

HR Network | Addressing Menopause in the Workplace – A Critical Inclusion and Wellness Issue (Nov. 19)
The HR Network meeting focused on an important and often under-discussed topic: menopause in the workplace. Rahila Dhansi, Chair, introduced the session by highlighting the broad impact menopause has on women, their families, and their work environments, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and support.
Speakers from the Menopause Foundation Canada and Coral shared expertise on fostering menopause-inclusive workplaces:
  • Sandra Villar outlined the foundation’s mandate to promote supportive environments and workplace policies.
  • Sandra Ingram described the symptoms experienced by 95 percent of women, the post-menopause health risks, and the economic impact, estimated at 3.5 billion dollars annually in Canada due to unmanaged symptoms. She introduced the “Menopause Works Here” campaign as a tool for employers to take action.
  • Dr. Ariane Ouellet-Dacoste explained the menopause transition, common symptoms, and treatment options including hormone therapy and lifestyle changes.
  • Fiona Lake Waslander presented Coral’s virtual care platform, noting that more than 80 per cent of women using the program report improved mental wellness and reduced symptoms.
The session encouraged employers to foster open conversations and consider policies and supports that strengthen retention, well-being, and workplace inclusion.
IT Network | Leveraging Microsoft Solutions to Empower Users and Improve Efficiency (Dec. 10)
The IT Network meeting explored how to effectively deploy Microsoft technologies to enhance operational performance and user capabilities. With interactive polling and shared examples, participants identified common challenges, particularly a reliance on outdated Excel processes, and opportunities to modernize workflows.
Guest speaker Savio Fernandes provided a deep dive into the Microsoft Stack and Power Platform, emphasizing:
  • The power of low-code solutions to increase agility and reduce manual work
  • Practical use cases, including an automated event attendance management system and a vehicle management app
  • Best practices for governance, including clear security roles and data loss prevention policies
  • The value of creating citizen developer champion programs to encourage innovation
  • Starting small and building scalable models as user adoption grows
The session reinforced the importance of digital skill-building and cross-department collaboration as organizations continue their transformation journeys.
Marketing Network | Industry Marketing Trends, Insights and Evolving Strategies (Dec. 5)
The Marketing Network Connect highlighted how marketing priorities and practices are evolving across the electrical and automation industry. Stephanie Santini, Chair, and Kevin Chand, Vice-Chair, presented findings from EFC’s latest marketing survey, which explored how companies are adapting their strategies, tools, and approaches to strengthen customer and stakeholder engagement.
Key insights included:
  • Brand marketing remains a core focus as companies work to support growth and product launches.
  • Marketing budgets remain conservative, but investment is gradually increasing, especially in measurable, performance-driven activities.
  • In-person, relationship-based engagement remains essential in this industry. Trade shows, events, and direct interactions continue to be among the most effective ways to connect with customers and partners.
  • Email, LinkedIn, and authentic, people-centered storytelling together form the foundation of digital outreach, offering reliable engagement and strong visibility for industry messaging.
  • The industry is steadily shifting toward more targeted strategies, greater automation, and increased use of multimedia content.
An update on EFC’s “Make the Switch” digital advocacy campaign was also shared. The campaign has helped build EFC’s brand profile, expand digital reach, and amplify the national conversation around electrification.
Get Involved | Explore the Networks by Job Function
EFC’s Networks by Job Function help professionals build knowledge, expand their community, and stay informed about emerging trends impacting the electrical industry. To learn more about each network, visit: electrofed.com/networks-job-function/
Members interested in joining a network can connect with the EFC team at info@electrofed.com