Most Continuing Education (CE) courses come with a catch of long timelines, attending night classes after a long workday, or weeks of scheduling challenges.
For the past 10 years, City Electric Supply (CES) Young Harris has offered a different approach. Led by Branch Manager Ken Booe, and with help from Operations Manager Shelley Booe, the branch hosts a one-day electrician license renewal course that helps electricians in Georgia and North Carolina meet their annual training requirements.
The results? A course that delivers practical instructions, creates space to connect with local electricians, and offers insight from an instructor who has spent decades in the trade.
“Many of our customers are balancing family and work while trying to find time to complete their CE requirements,” added Booe. “Our one-day, eight-hour class gives them the chance to learn, have face-to-face time with vendors, and engage with others in the trade.”
The latest training took place on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Nearly 70 trades people, electricians, and contractors gathered for the electrician training event that proved CE can be more than just a requirement. While convenience is a big part of what brings people in, the experience itself is what keeps them coming — even from miles away.
“One of our customers traveled 400 miles to come to this training,” said Booe. “This event has grown in popularity and our 10th anniversary was no exception.”
Training designed with contractors in mind
It all began in 2016 when Booe recognized the pain points his customers were facing with CE.
“I’ve always been the type of guy who goes into ‘fix mode,’ so I set out to create a simpler, more practical option for our customers,” said Booe.
After doing some research, Booe contacted the state board and got the CES Young Harris branch approved as a sponsor of electrical training. With help from Charles Floyd, a licensed electrician and certified instructor, and partnering with the local community college.
On March 4, 2016, CES Young Harris hosted its first CE event — complete with lunch for attendees. The class was a success, but Booe felt it could continue to grow.
The following year, the branch continued working with Floyd as the instructor and brought the training fully in-house. Over the years, they worked to transform and scale the training event for electricians in Georgia and North Carolina.
“Before I started teaching the annual CE training at City Electric Supply, I was Booe’s customer,” said Floyd. “When I met him, I remember thinking, ‘Booe really takes care of his customers.’ So, it’s no surprise this event has grown into what is has over the years.”
A packed classroom for the 10th anniversary
Now in its 10th year, the event continues to deliver the same level of convenience customers have come to rely on.
“I’ve been doing electrical work for 35 years and have been in business for myself for 25 years,” said Chris Turpin, owner and electrician at Turpin’s Electrical Service. “I come to this training at CES Young Harris because it’s so convenient for me to come to a supply house; I’m already coming to the branch for materials; I’m here every day. I can take care of my continuing education while I’m here, and Ken and Shelley handle the rest. They make it easy.”
From start to finish, the event is designed to keep attendees engaged. Attendees are welcomed with coffee and donuts before the class begins, and the training itself is broken into segments with vendor-led breaks in between.
During these breaks, vendors showcase new products, offer demonstrations, and host raffles throughout the day.
“I’ve come to six of the 10 training events held here at CES Young Harris,” said Victor Benn, owner and electrician at Cherokee County Builders. “Before this training, I had to go out of the area, so finding this local class was really nice. They make it enjoyable, and I look forward to coming each year to get my CEUs and see how my friends are doing.”
Lunch brings everyone together, turning the event into more than just a training session. It’s a chance to reconnect, share stories from the field, and stay plugged into what’s happening in the local industry.
It’s even begun to draw in non-electricians, including homeowners and those simply curious about the trade, offering a closer look at the industry.
Bridging national code and local application
Because CES Young Harris sits near the Georgia–North Carolina border, the training also addresses how national standards are applied locally.
While the course focuses on national electrical code updates, it also walks through how those standards are adopted and enforced within each state. This helps contractors understand the differences in licensing requirements, local enforcement, and real-world jobsite scenarios.
“I talked with several customers, and they told me how CES Young Harris goes above and beyond to make sure their training needs are met,” said Buddy Blanton, Atlanta regional manager at CES. “I think it’s successful because of how the training is tailored at the state level; it helps ensure everyone walks away feeling supported, no matter where they’re from.”
Looking ahead
What started as a solution to help customers complete their CE requirements has grown into a well-attended annual event — and Booe hopes to keep building on that momentum.
Each year, the goal remains the same: provide meaningful training, create opportunities for electricians to connect, and make the process of license renewal easier for the people doing the work.
“Service is what we do. This training allows us to take care of our customers and get to know them on a deeper level,” said Booe. “We’ll continue building on it to serve our community.”
