STI_SPFA

45 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 review standards regularly with our committees and industry experts,” O’Toole says. Other specific standards like the SP001 and SP031 enhancements for the vertical tank program and other initiatives are also emboldened by new technologies. STI/SPFA has the ability to provide different calculations to help industry professionals in this area. There are a few key goals that O’Toole hopes to accomplish with the STI/SPFA in 2023 and beyond. The first is to overhaul technology to provide better support for members and stakeholders with a new website and other online efforts designed to improve user experience. The organization will continue to look for other ways to use such technology to interact with its audience. Second, STI/SPFA has formed an emerging leaders committee that will help train and encourage younger professionals to carry the torch for the industry. “We are very passionate about providing our members with knowledge they need to help the next generation’s leaders,” O’Toole says. A third critical initiative is one that should not come as a surprise to leaders in most industries these days: the need to attract and retain a workforce within the industry. As O’Toole says, college is not the best path for all high school graduates, so the organization will look to the trade school curriculum and other training courses to help recruit and encourage individuals about the career opportunities that exist for fabricators. Finally, STI/SPFA is committed to creating and expanding its legislative advocacy. That includes a significant voice in Washington DC with elected officials. Such issues as tariffs, infrastructure, workforce development, and supply chain have a significant impact on the health of the fabrication industry and industry leaders want to share their opinions to positively affect future legislation. “We are entering an exciting time for the organization,” O’Toole says. “There are a number of goals I am looking forward to working on as we grow our presence.”