Competitive Edge has an established division whose sole purpose is to ensure that the Outreach Program is successful. Without close dedicated attention, programs often end up being neglected or dissolved. J.W. Didado Electric provided Competitive Edge with its own Diversity Manager and staff dedicated to ensure the highest level of community outreach success possible.

J.W. Didado Electric utilizes many different sources to obtain information about potential contractors /suppliers for projects. Resources allows J.W. Didado Electric to gather information on minority and women-owned suppliers / contractors in the state through local organizations / unions, community gatherings, state programs. Due to constant community outreach, the industry has flourished with a diversified base of contractors and suppliers to provide services.

All subcontractors are required to hire and recruit available graduating union classes of local apprentices that Competitive Edge provides in a monthly list. Local members of the community gain working experience through the program while project dollars remain vested in the local community.

Competitive Edge assists in SBE/MBE/WBE businesses in the areas of job site safety, project document controls, cost estimating, project scheduling, and workforce utilization. Also, the program guides in obtaining construction insurance, financial assistance, and bonding support to help promote company success.

Competitive Edge is committed to obtaining contracts for small local, minority, and women-own businesses to distribute large sections of work into smaller parts to allow the local companies to participate in projects. Also, the program has helped build relationships with local unions to help best navigate businesses towards union training programs.

Employees are assigned to monitor the outreach program by gathering, tracking, and reporting on the local workforce. Also, the participation of SBE/MBE/WBE contractors is monitored regularly to evaluate progress. Monthly, subcontractors are required to report how many residents they hired, and the contract value of small local minority and women-owned businesses. By collecting information, the success of the program is monitored by consulting subcontractors who did not meet a quota for the month.

With the help of the community and district leaders, the program will identify residents in the neighborhood that are willing to train with a J.W. Didado Electric mentor to gain construction experience while collecting a competitive salary. While on the job, the mentor will concentrate on the resident’s passions and strengths that will benefit their future career while working in the electric industry.