Branch update

NSW/ACT BRANCH

BRANCH UPDATE

Oliver Judd

NECA NSW/ACT Executive Director

AS We SLOWLY eMeRGe FROM A PeRIOD OF FeAR AnD unCeRTAInTY, I’M InSPIReD BY OuR InDuSTRY’S ReSILIenCe AnD OuR MeMBeRS’ COMMITMenT TO SeRVICe THeIR CuSTOMeRS AnD LOOK AFTeR THeIR PeOPLe.

Members have taken every change of protocol and temporary restriction in their stride, continually adapting their businesses to ensure safe, highquality electrical and communications services for homes and workplaces.

For me, the pandemic has really reinforced how critical our industry is to everyday life and enterprise. It has also highlighted the role we’ll continue to play in the national economic recovery – skilling and employing people, building projects, incorporating technology and enabling access to vital services. I’m encouraged by the most recent Federal Budget from Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Training and apprenticeship funding will allow us to continue welcoming record numbers of new entrants in nSW/ACT and across Australia, while a range of other tax concessions and asset write-offs will help with cash flow and put more money in businesses and employees’ bank accounts.

The Budget also reinforces the major project pipeline, which is great in terms of work coming to market, but also increases the challenge for contractors to scale and mobilise sharply. With access to offshore tradespeople restricted, keeping up with demand will remain a constant challenge for the foreseeable future.

Focus on Tech

The suite of possible applications for new technology that’s around the corner is mind-blowing. Whether it’s renewable energy generation and capture, electric vehicles, robotics, smart buildings, 3D printing or sustainable agriculture

NECA NSW/ACT CALENDAR OF EVENTS

InDuSTRY ROADSHOWS

Penrith Bowling Club

 Wednesday, 21 July 2021

Commercial Club Albury

 Thursday, 29 July 2021

Merrylands RSL

 Wednesday, 13 October 2021

NECA HQ Fyshwick

 Thursday, 21 October 2021

neCA eXCeLLenCe & APPRenTICe AWARDS

The Realm (ACT)

 Friday, 6 August 2021

The Star (NSW)

 Friday, 10 September 2021

For more information and to register scan this QR code, or visit www.neca.asn.au/necagroup/ content/nsw-events

– they’ll all need electrotechnology businesses to become reality. There is no doubt our industry and dayto-day tasks will look very different ten years from now, if not sooner. How neCA is positioned to upskill our members and be on-pace with emerging technology is a priority for me. I believe it will be the difference between a growing, thriving and sustainable electrotechnology industry and one that suffers and struggles with technology disruption.

Site Office to Head Office (SOHO)

neCA is receiving great feedback from participants in the SOHO training program, which has been designed to provide career pathways within the industry for aspiring leaders. The 2021 course is being run throughout August and September, so be quick to register if you’re interested. www.bit.ly/necasoho

Keeping in Touch with the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC)

neCA nSW/ACT has established a quarterly dialogue with the ABCC. As a key regulator of major projects and construction site activities, there’s no shortage of issues to be discussed. Recently, we were pleased to welcome ABCC representatives to neCA’s Chullora headquarters to present at our major contractors meeting. It was an informative presentation, and included useful information regarding code compliance. If you have anything you’d like me to raise with the ABCC, please get in touch and I’ll put it on the agenda for the next meeting.

NSW Government Fees and Charges Rebate

Sole traders and small business owners may be eligible for a rebate on selected fees and charges paid to the nSW Government. Available until June 2022, a maximum of $1,500 per ABn can be claimed against costs such as trade licences and contractor registration fees, council rates and charges related to the cost of doing business. T&Cs apply, so visit the Service nSW website for more details: www.service.nsw.gov.au

Insurance Audit

neCA recently engaged a third party, LMI Group, to review the suite of insurance policies included in the neCAGuard Combined Liability Insurance Program. The review’s purpose was to ensure that the levels of coverage were suitable to businesses engaged in the electrical and communications contracting industry. We are proud to say that the neCAGuard Combined Liability policies are custom built, and only available to our member businesses.

Welcome Todd Shipp

neCA welcomes new Head of Marketing Todd Shipp. Todd joins us from Cabcharge and is squarely focused on the value of information and services we provide to members and where we can do better.

Todd will support the national Office, neCA Group and neCA Training and Apprenticeships with all things brand and marketing. Welcome to the team Todd!

From the NSW Building Commissioner

nSW Building Commissioner David Chandler OAM is on a mission to stamp out dodgy developers and unfit contractors from the construction industry – and we support him.

He has however identified a couple of building products that members may be tasked to install, and he’s reminded electrical contractors of their responsibility to ensure products meet standards.

Car stackers, which are becoming more common in apartment basements and carparks, are of serious concern. Some models have unprotected moving parts with significant crush potential. He has also expressed concerns over prefabricated kitchen and bathroom pods. Contractors need to ensure the certifications include all electrical components, such as wiring and light fittings, or you may be exposed.

In other news from the Commissioner, his office will be overseeing Project Remediate – the nSW Government program to remove combustible cladding on buildings across the state. This will create opportunities for electrical contractors, so add the project webpage www.bit.ly/projectremediate to your favourites and follow David on Linkedin to stay updated.