TAS BRANCH UPDATE

TAS BRANCH

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BRANCH UPDATE

Ben Shaw

NECA TAS Member Manager

Welcome to 2022! i hope the start of the year has been a safe one.

The opening of Tasmania’s borders has changed the way we conduct our businesses, bringing both challenges and opportunities. NECA will continue to work closely with you this year, as we navigate the new environment.

A positive end to 2021

Towards the end of last year, NECA held end-of-year industry luncheons in both launceston and Hobart. The events were well-attended, with Ministers Guy Barnett, Felix Ellis and Michael Ferguson delivering updates on the Tasmanian Government’s sustainable energy project and business incentive program. Attendees were also entertained by guest speakers Jack riewoldt and Alistair lynch, who shared some of the highlights from their sporting careers.

Government and policy

NECA continues to work with the Tasmanian Government on issues affecting our industry, and we will update members through our bulletins as new information becomes available. if you have any issues when dealing with the government, and you would like some assistance, i strongly urge you to get in contact.

Nominations for the 2022 NECA Excellence and Apprentice Awards have opened!

We are very pleased to be running our Excellence and Apprentice Awards again, which will provide valuable industry recognition for members. This year a new section featuring small business awards has been introduced for businesses with fewer than 10 employees. There are three awards in this new section: Emerging Small Business, Small Contracting Business of the Year and Small Business project of the Year.

Nominations for all 2022 NECA Excellence Awards close on 18 May, and the awards night will be held Saturday, 2 July at the Crown plaza Hobart.

For inspiration, flick through to the following page, and read about NECA members Joshua and phoebe Banks of Banks Electrical and Solar, who won last year’s Small Commercial Category award.

DO YOU KNOW HOW EXPONENTIAL TECHNOLOGIES AROUND THE WORLD ARE TRANSFORMING OUR INDUSTRY?

Now is the time to expand your mind and learn about the latest industry insights in NECA’s new weekly newsletter: The Future of the Electrical and Communications industry.

The newsletter delivers insights on exponential technologies transforming the field of the electrical and communications industry, including the latest in solar, smart homes and battery technology, robotics, renewable energy, automation and cyber security.

Scan the Qr code and subscribe to receive this free weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Connect yourself to the future – subscribe now!

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Members have access to email and phone support through our Member Services team, ensuring that you and your business receive the right specialist advice when you need it. The NECA team can assist your business with:

Get in touch today with Ben Shaw - your NECA Tasmania Member Manager.

½ SafetyStar - a free document-based management health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ) system, designed to assist electrical contractors to meet minimum compliance. ½ Unlimited phone and email support with technical, workplace health and safety (WHS), human resources (Hr) and industrial relations (ir) issues. ½ Unlimited access to NECA’s Technical Knowledge Base (TKB) with the latest industry standards, WHS documents and Hr and ir templates. ½ Discounts, offers and deals on business essentials including fuel. ½ Unlimited phone enquiries with our legal team for all types of business issues. ½ Workwear, corporate clothing and ppE targeted for the industry. ½ Training and skills development. ½ Free industry events and regular updates.

Version 8.1 of the Service and Installation Rules will be in effect from 1 July 2022

TasNetworks has been reviewing the Service and installation rules (Sir) and has created a completely new document to better support industry.

Version 8.1 of the Sir:

½ provides clarity on the purpose and scope of the rules; ½ aligns with the connections process; ½ contains clearer details around responsibilities and definitions as well as updated diagrams; and ½ no longer contains out-of-date information and duplication.

Sir version 8.1 will be effective from 1 July 2022. To assist with the transition, you can use either version 7 or 8.1 until then. Version 8.1 is available on the TasNetworks website: www.bit.ly/tasnetworks8-1

Changes to private electrical works

Since the Australian Energy regulator (AEr) ring-fencing Guidelines were introduced, TasNetworks has been working to reduce the amount of private electrical works it undertakes to facilitate new connections and alterations.

Moving forward they will be taking a firmer, more consistent approach to this and will no longer perform any work past the point of Supply. Version 8.1 of the Services and installation rules, clearly defines this position.

Electrical contractors have a responsibility to ensure all private works are completed before TasNetworks attends to make the final connection or alteration to an existing connection. For example, TasNetworks will no longer be completing new or existing second or subsequent private service spans or relocating existing private overhead service wires.

Failure to comply with this will result in TasNetworks being unable to complete the connection. The work order will be incomplete, and returned to the retailer for action by the electrical contractor or customer.

NECA’s weekly e-newsletter

Operating a business in the ongoing pandemic can be difficult, with official regulations and requirements constantly changing. NECA’s weekly e-newsletter provides valuable industry information and the latest updates in technical, industrial relations, legal, human resources, workplace health and safety and COViD-19 issues. They are a great way to keep yourself and your business abreast of any changes. if you are not receiving our weekly e-newsletter, scan the Qr code and fill out your details.

Are you looking for labour?

if you need additional workers, you can now advertise your requests in NECA’s weekly e-newsletter as part of our labour Exchange section. For details on how to submit a request, check our next e-newsletter.

Training and development

NECA is developing a range of workplace safety courses for 2022 - we will let you know as soon as the dates are booked. We are also set to hold a series of industry nights and webinars this year, which will be geared towards your Continued professional Development points. Keep an eye on your email inbox for more details.

Supporting your business

NECA has significantly increased its focus on providing members with better support and tools, so you can grow your business. leading the way, i will be collaborating with my industry connections and experts to deliver access to highly valuable information, events and opportunities to network with our business partners and wholesalers.

The NECA team is here to provide you and your business with the support, expert advice and resources you need so your business can thrive. if you have any questions regarding NECA membership or require industry advice in general, please contact Member Services or myself. We look forward to hearing from you. Stay safe.

Winner of NECA TAS Commercial Small 2021

BANKS ELECTRICAL & SOLAR

WHERE THE SEA MEETS THE SKY

iN THE EArlY 1950s, TASMANiA lED THE WAY iN DEVElOpiNG HiGH VOlTAGE TrANSMiSSiON, SETTiNG Up CENTrAl pOWEr AUTHOriTiES AND UTiliSiNG THEir NATUrAl rESOUrCES. BY THE 1950s, WHEN BANKS ElECTriCAl AND SOlAr WAS BOrN, KNOB-AND-TUBE WiriNG WAS THE WiriNG METHOD OF CHOiCE FOr MOST HOMES, AND ElECTriCiANS CHArGED Up TO $10 TO iNSTAll A DUplEX OUTlET. FAST FOrWArD TO 2022, BANKS AND ElECTriCAl AND SOlAr HAS BEEN A FAMilY BUSiNESS FOr THrEE GENErATiONS, AND SiNCE 2019 HAS BEEN rUN BY JOSHUA AND pHOEBE BANKS.

NECA was pleased to speak to Joshua about his business journey.

How did you become an electrician?

My father was an electrician and i was helping him. Choosing to become an electrical apprentice was almost organic. i worked within my father’s business for 17 years until he retired. i was fortunate to then take ownership and make it mine.

My passion for this industry never ceases to amaze me. With so much new technology, and the industry constantly evolving, i too find myself growing alongside it.

What are some of the challenges that your business has faced?

COViD-19 has definitely been a big factor, causing supply shortages and hindering product availability. This has ultimately led to projects not being finalised according to schedules.

Another constant issue is keeping up with the new and latest technological innovations. The industry is growing at a rapid rate, and the changes involved can sometimes be challenging.

What are some of your business highlights?

Winning the NECA Excellence Award in 2021 for the Commercial Small project was quite humbling and an amazing experience. To add to our win, our apprentice Gilbert riseley won the NECA Tasmania Apprentice of the Year Award. This was a big achievement for us, mainly because our apprentices are a reflection of our tradesmen and our business as a whole. We felt so gratified and it was a big boost to the team’s morale.

Holistically, having the opportunity to successfully continue the family business, is my proudest moment.

How has your small business pivoted to survive during the pandemic?

Can you tell us a little about the project you won your award for?

Aura Bar is Hobart’s first rooftop venue. The customer’s vision was to create a space where the “The Sea meets the Sky”. The styling of the venue, in addition to the mix of unique light fittings, creates an intimate and magical space. We were humbled that we exceeded the customer’s vision in creating a lighting installation that is the venue’s main centrepiece.

Our proudest accomplishment on this project was that we worked closely with the customer and other trades to bring the space together within a relatively short time frame.

Apart from the supply shortages, the pandemic has made us focus on more important aspects of the business, such as taking care of our staff.

What advice would you give to new startups?

Firstly, have a clear business plan and undertake a business course. As a tradesman, running a business and employing others can be difficult. We undertake apprenticeships to gain the knowledge and technical skills to become good tradespeople, not managers. Why not business training to learn how to run your business efficiently?

My wife, who looks after the administrative side of the business, is completing a business certificate and i am receiving business training and coaching. We believe that it is hugely beneficial and critical for growth and success – however you measure success.

How has NECA been a part of your business growth?

The support and resources we receive from NECA, makes me feel that we are truly supported. For my business, the free advice received from the NECA legal experts on numerous occasions has assisted us to understand complex legal issues around COViD-19 and vaccination requirements, and employee policies. Access to NECA’s Technical Knowledge Base (TKB), has also been a huge support. i appreciate that my whole team can log in at any time, and get access to the latest industry standards and free templates such as Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and legal forms.

For advice and support in legal, human resources, industrial relations, technical, work health and safety, personal protective equipment and workwear, training and apprenticeships, or if you would like us to tell your business success story, get in touch with your NECA TAS Member Manager, Ben Shaw.