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SA/NT BRANCH UPDATE
SA/NT BRANCH
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BRANCH UPDATE
Larry Moore
NECA SA/NT Executive Director
FirSTlY, i WOUlD liKE TO TAKE THiS OppOrTUNiTY TO WiSH All OUr MEMBErS A VErY HAppY (AND BElATED) NEW YEAr. WE TrUST YOU HAD A SAFE AND HAppY FESTiVE SEASON AND ENJOYED SOME rEST AND rElAXATiON WiTH lOVED ONES AFTEr ANOTHEr CHAllENGiNG YEAr.
Upon reflecting on 2021, it is pleasing to note that many members had quite a successful year, despite all the difficulties with restrictions and borders. This new year looks to bring another set of challenges given we are now trying to “live with the virus”, but as a result members are constantly dealing with staff shortages, rising costs, material shortages, uncertainty of work and much more. We are hopeful that the worst is behind us and we can begin to settle into a new “COViD-19 normal” world.
Here at NECA SA/NT our aim is to help our members with the everyday running of their businesses and overcoming challenges that emerge when operating in this new world we are faced with. Your membership fees allow us to employ skilled professionals who are equipped to provide you with the advice, tools and assistance you need to run your business. We understand that your time is best spent in your business earning an income, so when you have a query or issue, please think of us as your first port of call and we will endeavour to assist you. if we don’t have an answer for you straight away, it is our role to get the answer for you as quickly as possible. Your needs are our priority and we hope you will continue to be a part of our association so we can support you through 2022 and the years to come.
With this year in mind, i wish to provide information on just a few of the initiatives we are working on.
2022 Roadshow Seminar Series
We are pleased to announce that our roadshow Seminar Series is back for 2022, however there will be some changes to accommodate all the restrictions and rules in place at this current point in time. instead of running 14 seminars we have unfortunately needed to cut back to nine, as we needed to put in place a contingency plan in case one of our presenters, sponsors or staff were ordered into isolation after a seminar. Therefore, each show is spaced out to accommodate this, and we sincerely hope members understand our reasonings behind this.
The seminars kicked off in Mclaren Vale on 23 March and will conclude in port lincoln on 22 June. We hope you can join us for your local seminar.
We will have some great technical updates from the Office of the Technical regulator, as well as the all-important launch of the new Service and installation rules book from SA power Networks.
Further information is provided on page 74. Alternately you can visit our website.
NECA Careers & Apprenticeships (NCA)
Our group training organisation, NCA, is now in its fifth year of operation and currently has 111 apprentices and one office administration trainee. We continue to expand with inductions of new apprentices occurring every 6-8 weeks, depending on industry requirements.
Our focus at NCA is to provide quality apprentices to industry and therefore only employ enthusiastic students who have had some previous knowledge or experience (Certificate ii in Electrotechnology or work experience or preferably both). The applicants are also put through a rigorous recruitment process, which includes a readiness Assessment (literacy and numeracy test), an interview and a medical examination. Through this process we are confident that our apprentices will add value to our host employers, the industry in general and hopefully will become the future leaders of our sectors.
Don’t forget that NECA and rACCA members also receive a discounted charge-out rate on apprentices with NCA, which is just another benefit of being a member. if you have any queries about NCA and what they can do for you, contact Craig Mitchell on (08) 8272 0799 or visit www.necaapprentices.com.au
Dual Trade Apprenticeship
The new Dual Trade Apprenticeship is underway and we have our first apprentices employed by NCA in this new qualification. We highly encourage our members to be involved in this exciting new initiative that will see apprentices become fully qualified in both Electrical and refrigeration and Air-conditioning in five years. Significant time and effort have been put into the development of this program, including the mapping of training units of competence, and as such we are really looking forward to watching the program grow.
if you would like to find out more or get involved in this initiative, please contact NCA on (08) 8272 0799.
HSEQ Management System Upgrade
We continue to grow and expand our health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ) product offerings, and we have recently finished upgrading the HSEQ Management System manual from AS/ NZS 4801:2001 to international standard iSO 45001:2018. We trust this will be a welcome upgrade for our members who currently have our HSEQ Management System, and an enticing reason for our other members to seriously consider purchasing the system and implementing it in their business. The system is extremely affordable compared with others out in the market, and comes with advice and support from our HSEQ Manager, Ben Simpson.
For further information about any of our safety products, visit
www.bit.ly/NECAWHSProducts
or contact Ben Simpson, HSEQ Manager, on (08) 8272 2966.
Specialist Contractors SA is pleased to invite our members to the inaugural Business luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Bronwyn Weir and an expert panel, to discuss building reforms. The lunch will be held on Friday 20 May 2022 at the National Wine Centre. Bronwyn has extensive knowledge of the building and construction industry and co-authored the Shergold Weir report, which focussed on “improving the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia”. Furthermore, a panel of experts will join us including rob Freda from the University of South Australia and Michael Hutton from lynch Meyer lawyers.
We hope you will join us for this highly anticipated event to hear more about building reforms, including unfair contract terms and security of payments. To find out more, and to register, visit www.bit.ly/SCSALunch
2022 Awards Nominations Now Open
Our Excellence and Apprentice Awards nominations are now open for 2022 and there are a number of exciting changes this year, including a new online portal that makes it easier than ever to nominate your outstanding project or apprentice.
in addition to the changes to the online portal, there have also been some major changes to the categories for our members. 2022 will see the NECA Awards expanded to now include three dedicated awards programs: NECA Excellence Awards, NECA Small Business Awards and NECA Apprentice Awards. Our aim is to make the awards nomination process as accessible as possible for all our members.
The NECA Excellence Awards recognise the accomplishments of individual electrical and communications companies, small and large, for their work on various projects across the country. We know that our members do some outstanding work every day, so we want you to get involved and importantly get recognised for it.
The new NECA Small Business Awards is an awards program designed for small businesses who are making an impact in the industry and deserve to be recognised at the highest level. NECA wants to celebrate small businesses across the country.
Nominations close on the 8 June 2022 for the Excellence Awards and Small Business Awards.
The NECA Apprentice Awards are designed to acknowledge apprentice achievements in personal development, effort, academic attainment and workplace competency. There are many benefits for being involved in the Apprentice Awards, including prizes, networking and industry recognition, but above all it is a great experience that looks good on the resume. if you have an apprentice who is worthy then please get your nominations in to NECA SA/NT by 8 July 2022.
if you would like to know more or need any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch with leah Boyce, Business relationship Manager at NECA SA/NT. Alternatively you can visit our website for all the awards program information:
www.bit.ly/NECA2022Awards
For further information or assistance with any of the above please contact the NECA SA/NT team on (08) 8272 2966.
Once again, we look forward to working with you to make 2022 a successful year for NECA members and the industry.
THE COVID-SAFE 2022 ROADSHOW SEMINAR SERIES IS ON
NECA SA/NT ArE plEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE rOADSHOW SEMiNAr SEriES iS BACK iN A COViDSAFE WAY! THE 2022 SEMiNAr SEriES Will BE HElD ACrOSS SOUTH AUSTrAliA FrOM MArCH TO JUNE iN NiNE lOCATiONS. DUE TO THE CUrrENT COViD-19 pANDEMiC SiTUATiON, WE HAVE HAD TO MAKE A FEW CHANGES TO THE SEMiNAr SEriES THiS YEAr TO prOTECT EVErYONE WHO ATTENDS, SO WE ArE rUNNiNG A rEDUCED NUMBEr OF SEMiNArS SpACED OUT OVEr A lONGEr pEriOD.
We highly encourage all electrical contractors and their workers to attend to ensure they are up to date with all the latest developments within the industry. This annual seminar series is a significant training resource for the electrotechnology industry.
This year’s presenters will provide licensed electricians with a greater understanding of the following topics: ½ NECA SA/NT - the new Certified
Contractor program and Dual
Trade apprenticeship; ½ SA power Networks - the brand-new Service and installation rules book; and ½ The Office of the Technical regulator - updates to Australian Standards, solar and isolator requirements, clarification on common compliance issues, FAQs and more.
Thanks to the Office of the Technical regulator and SA power Networks for their support and involvement in this initiative.
Suppliers, manufacturers and wholesalers will be on location with their new products and service displays, and NECA SA/NT staff will also be on hand to answer your questions about what NECA can do for you and your business.
To attend the NECA 2022 roadshow Seminar Series, please register via Eventbrite here:
www.bit.ly/NECA2022Roadshow
Alternatively, you can visit our website www.neca.asn.au/sa, click on the roadshow banner and complete the hard copy registration form.
please be assured that we will follow any and all COViD-19 guidelines and restrictions from the venue and SA Government. This includes, but is not limited to: physical distancing, masks, sanitiser, Qr check in, changes to serving of food and more. if for some reason a seminar needs to be cancelled or postponed due to COViD-19 or insufficient numbers, we will provide as much notice to registered attendees as possible.
For further information please phone NECA SA/NT on (08) 8272 2966 or visit our website.
We look forward to seeing you there!
