branch update

TAS BRANCH

Scan here to visit the NECA TAS homepage

BRANCH UPDATE

Wayne Hobson

NECA TAS President

As 2021 draws to a close, Tasmania has enjoyed the benefits of a strongly performing economy this year. High consumer confidence and consistent support from the State Government have underpinned this performance. With signs the cOVID-19 emergency may be easing, it is hoped our state will continue to lead the country on economic indicators heading into 2022, which will benefit our industry and all of Tasmania.

Welcome Ben Shaw

I would like to welcome ben Shaw to our NecA Tasmania team as business Development manager. ben arrives with solid knowledge of the electrical industry, and will be liaising with members and sponsors to optimise relationships within NecA. ben is also working to increase the number of NecA members in Tasmania, and in the few months he’s been with us, he has already achieved significant results.

Events update

During September, NecA Tasmania hosted its 2021 Industry Night series at venues across the state. Total attendance at these nights exceeded 400, with participants receiving updates on subjects including:

½ technical changes to Amendment 2 of the Wiring rules; ½ proposed changes to the electricity consumption metering requirements code of Practice; ½ common installation defects; and ½ other topics concerning technicians and contractors.

I would like to extend a big thanks to ben Shaw, the NecA events team, consumer, building and Occupational Services (cbOS), and NecA business partners for their work in producing an excellent series of events. On the subject of events, this year’s National excellence Awards were postponed due to cOVID-19, and will now be held in Adelaide in march 2022.

LEGISLATION FOR TASTAFE TRANSITION MOVES FORWARD

NecA has provided comment to the State Government on draft legislation for its TasTAFe Transition, which is set to be passed by Parliament to take effect from 1 July 2022.

NecA welcomes the planned changes, which will inject significant new investment into TasTAFe to address training and resourcing shortfalls, modernise plant and equipment, and transfer TasTAFe’s employment powers and staff to the jurisdiction of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), bringing it in line with national employment laws.

The changes, which will transition TasTAFe to a completely revised business model, will see TAFe remain in public ownership, with existing staff retained, access in regional and rural areas enhanced, and better aligned with the needs of employers and industry.

NecA is highly supportive of this initiative, which it hopes will deliver better outcomes for businesses and apprentices/ trainees alike, and ultimately benefit the Tasmanian economy and community.

Electrical Contractor Industry Liaison

NecA Tasmania’s electrical contractor Industry Liaison (ecIL) meetings have now concluded for another year. These meetings offer a valuable forum for member businesses and other industry stakeholders to come together to discuss issues that impact our industry across the state.

The most recent ecIL meeting, held in September, featured discussion of cbOS’s Solar education Program, which aims to educate consumers on the requirement for periodic maintenance of solar generation systems on their premises. This program should generate opportunities for NecA members who can complete periodic maintenance of these systems. There is no requirement to be solar accredited to undertake this work.

ecIL meetings will resume in 2022, and will continue to be held at midlands bowls club in campbell Town. I will advise members of dates once these become available.

Professional development

In recent months, NecA has been running a variety of webinars for technicians and business owners, and all of these have attracted continuing professional development (cPD) points. I would like to remind members that the cPD program is a crucial factor for them, and their technicians, being able to renew their licences. NecA has many avenues for members and their employees to gain cPD points including roadshows, webinars and other accredited activities. NecA has committed to continuously improving and innovating the way courses can be delivered to accommodate members’ busy lifestyles.

Best wishes

Finally, I would like to wish all members a great holiday season. Stay safe! I look forward to seeing you all and working with you again in 2022.

STATE OF THE STATES: TASMANIA LEADS AUSTRALIA IN 2021

As Australia begins to shake off the economic effects of the cOVID-19 pandemic, Tasmania has outperformed the rest of the country during 2021, a status reconfirmed in commSec’s most recent State of the States report in October.

The Australian bureau of Statistics’ Labour Force data for September found total employment on the Apple Isle at an all-time record of 263,100. Following this, commSec ranked Tasmania first of the eight states and territories on four of the eight indices it measures, finding the southern state enjoyed low unemployment at 4.8%, and strong growth in retail spending, housing finance, equipment spending, and construction work.

The findings confirm what Tasmanians know: that their state is a great place in which to live, work, and do business, and in difficult times it is becoming even better.

In terms of relative performance, commSec ranked the AcT in second place, with New South Wales and Western Australia equal third, South Australia and Victoria equal fifth, Queensland seventh, and the Northern Territory last.

THE BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER OF AN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Staff from the Technical regulation Unit of consumer, building and Occupational Services (cbOS) recently presented at the NecA Industry Nights in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. During these evenings it was clear that attendees valued the opportunity to meet new people and network with contracting businesses, wholesalers and consultants who could be of benefit to them, their business or future career.

membership with an industry association, such as NecA, provides events, networking, services and benefits that far exceed annual membership costs. Some of the direct benefits include technical advice, access to standards, fuel and vehicle discounts, employment and training opportunities. Additionally, as a member, you can build customer confidence with the knowledge that you are part of a national organisation, which is renowned for the high standards that all members subscribe to. Industry associations are a conduit between the often-complex requirements of the national and state governments, and bring member representation to decisions that could affect you in your business.

cbOS would like to take this opportunity to thank NecA for their contribution to the electrical contracting industry in Tasmania, and encourage all electrical contractors to consider the benefits that membership can bring.

NECA INDUSTRY NIGHTS,

CONNECTING TASSIE ELECTRICIANS

NecA’S receNT INDUSTrY NIGHT SerIeS SHOWeD A THrIVING AND eNGAGeD TASmANIAN eLecTrIcAL INDUSTrY, WITH mOre THAN 400 cONTrAcTOrS ATTeNDING AcrOSS THe THree eVeNINGS. ATTeNDeeS HeArD FrOm THe DePArTmeNT OF JUSTIce’S HeNrY HODGSON, WHO DIScUSSeD cHANGeS TO THe WIrING rULeS AND POTeNTIAL cHANGeS TO meTerING IN TASmANIA. DIScUSSING THeSe cHANGeS beTWeeN GOVerNmeNT AND INDUSTrY eNSUreS NecA memberS remAIN AT THe FOreFrONT OF cOmPLIANce AND SAFeTY DeVeLOPmeNTS.

This NecA industry event qualified attendees for four continuing professional development (cPD) points and gave electrical contractors the opportunity to connect with other small and large businesses and the Tasmanian Government, finding new business opportunities and developing a more collaborative industry. We would like to thank our business partners: mmem, AWm, D&W, eWm electrical, clipsal Schneider, NHP, IPD, Abb, TAS Networks and NecA education and careers, whose valuable support and participation helped host an exceptional industry event.

NecA has significantly increased its focus within Tasmania, led by ben Shaw our new Tasmanian manager, to strengthen our industry connections and provide NecA members with access to highly valuable events and information. We are gearing up for an exciting 2022 with more industry nights and opportunities to network with contractors.

NECA member support

being a NecA member is the best way to have the opportunity to attend these events. Not only does a NecA membership give you access to industry events, but it also provides industry-specific support in setting up or growing your business. You’ll gain access to the latest in technical information, legal and safety services, as well as access to NecA partnerships like TasNetworks.