branch update

TAS BRANCH

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BRANCH UPDATE

Ben Shaw

NECA TAS Member Manager

Welcome to the September issue of NeCA News. We have had an exciting few months and look forward to seeing our members at the many events still to come this year across tasmania.

First and foremost, I am exceptionally proud to announce my recent appointment as State manager Government relations, member engagement, and Director of Australian Cabler registration Service (ACrS). I am honoured to be part of an amazing association that advocates, supports and educates our industry.

NECA Tasmania Awards 2022

On Saturday 2 July, NeCA recognised the industry’s best at the 2022 NeCA tasmania Awards.

the sold-out event saw former Australian cricketing great Damien Fleming host over 250 attendees at Hobart’s Crowne plaza, celebrating the very best electrical and communications projects from across the state.

NeCA CeO, Oliver Judd said, “Congratulations to our winners, who have not only showcased outstanding examples of the best our industry has to offer, but have also shown what is possible for the future of our industry.”

elise Archer, tasmanian minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs, echoed mr Judd’s comments saying, “I extend my congratulations to all the 2022 winners of the awards, and thank everyone who submitted a nomination. It’s wonderful to see such a vibrant, positive and futurefocused tasmanian industry.”

Winners of the 2022 awards were selected from an extremely strong field, with Guy barnett, tasmanian minister for energy and renewables, saying, “NeCA should be proud of the sector’s success and its ambitions to not just be part of, but leading our renewable future.”

NeCA would like to congratulate the tasmanian Award winners for their outstanding achievements.

Keep an eye out for the December issue of NeCA News for all the details of our winners.

NECA’s legal webinar series

We recently launched a webinar series hosted by our in-house legal, human resources and industrial relations experts. these webinars have been developed to educate members on the following topics:

½ Chasing that final payment claim?

How to get what you are owed! ½ take it or leave it! How do you protect yourself against unfair contract terms? ½ Overtime penalties, annual leave and rDOs. Are you paying your employees their entitlements? ½ You’re fired! How to manage employee termination the right way. ½ So, you have obtained a Judgement in your favour. Now what?

If you have missed out, then visit the NeCA website for more information, or watch the past webinars on NeCA’s technical Knowledge base (tKb).

Parliamentary dinner

In June, NeCA held its inaugural parliamentary Dinner. the event provided an opportunity for NeCA members to meet with relevant state members of parliament for the purpose of giving our sector a stronger voice with key decision makers.

National NeCA CeO Oliver Judd, together with State manager ben Shaw, joined over 20 industry leaders, including senior executives from

tasmania’s largest contractors and the industry’s key suppliers.

the event was hosted by minister Guy barnett and attended by industry and government leaders, including premier Jeremy rockliff, Deputy premier and treasurer michael Ferguson, minister roger Jaensch, minister madeleine Ogilvie and Speaker of the House of Assembly mark Shelton, providing NeCA members with some really valuable one-on-one time with government.

Some of the key topics discussed included:

½ encouraging female participation in construction; ½ review of procurement policies and guidelines in relation to the prequalification process; ½ security of payment reforms including project trust accounts for government contracts to ensure everyone in the chain gets paid for the work they perform; ½ consistency and compliance in the application of tasmania’s treasury prequalification

Scheme for contractors; and ½ opportunities for a better, cheaper and more accessible tAFe system.

NECA branch meetings

NeCA members are reminded that we hold branch meetings, state council meetings and electrical Contractor Industry Liaison (eCIL) meetings throughout the year. If you have not attended any of these meetings, then I suggest you join us at the next series. the meetings are a great way to keep informed on relevant industry issues, discuss any emerging issues and network with other contractors and industry leads. Keep an eye out in NeCA’s weekly eNews or visit our website for dates and details.

Online continuing professional development (CPD) training portal

We recently launched a new online training portal that provides NeCA members with free access to CpD courses. the portal has been launched with 15 courses, each worth two CpD points, and all successfully completed courses will be automatically lodged with Consumer, building and Occupational Services (CbOS) for you. Further courses are in development, based on members’ questions and the feedback received by our technical managers.

Simple to navigate, you can log into the portal using the your tKb username and password. Visit neca.pointsbuild.com.au/neca/tasmania or scan the Qr code.

TasNetworks Service and Installation Rules v8.2

From 1 July the tasNetworks Service and Installation rules v8.2 is now in effect. the changes include:

1. Appendix G – added.

to help further define electrical Contractors responsibilities around private works (ie. work that tasNetworks is not permitted to perform) we have added diagrams for various scenarios within ‘Appendix G’. this will help to clarify what the responsibilities of tasNetworks and the electrical Contractor are.

2. Section 4.5: Distribution Network Availability – clarification and update of wording.

Feedback from industry has seen the requirements revert back to the same ½ 4.5.2 requirement to Install a tasNetworks Service pole. ½ 4.5.3 requirement to Install private Service pole

NeCA members can download a copy of the rules from the tasNetworks website.

If you are seeking interpretation of these rules, industry standards or have technical issues, connect with NeCA’s technical experts. All NeCA members receive free unlimited phone and email support.

NECA 2022 Industry Nights summer series

As a result of our great success with Industry Nights held earlier this year, we are once again kicking off another series to end the year. Keep an eye out for more information on dates and venues. We are planning an exciting schedule that you don’t want to miss.

Lastly, the NeCA team is here to provide you and your business with resources and expert advice to help support your business growth. If you have questions regarding your NeCA membership or require industry advice, please connect with NeCA member Services or myself.

Calendar of Events

Industry Night Burnie

 tuesday, 25 October 2022

Industry Night Launceston

 Wedsday, 26 October 2022

Industry Night Hobart

 thursday, 27 October 2022

NECA State Council Meeting

 Wedsday, 2 November 2022

NECA North West Branch Meeting

 monday, 14 November 2022

NECA National Awards DInner

 thursday, 24 November 2022

ECIL Meeting

 Wedsday, 7 December 2022

NECA State Council Meeting

 Wedsday, 7 December 2022

Scan the Qr code for more registration and to register.

BOOST THE ELECTRICAL SECTOR

NeCA tasmania has partnered with the Australian Institute of project management (AIpm) and the tasmanian Government to deliver 80 new certified project managers into tasmania’s electrical sector.

NeCA tasmania State manager ben Shaw said, “We thank the tasmanian Government for funding these courses. the need for more certified project managers in our sector has been raised repeatedly over recent years. the ongoing construction boom, coupled with global supply chain issues and skilled labour shortages, has seen this need reach critical levels. It is now more important than ever to ensure we have the skills and knowledge to deliver projects on time, on budget and without further delay. “One of the main issues contributing to this shortage has been the lack of courses held in the state and the high cost per person to attend. “NeCA tasmania is thrilled to offer this training specifically for the electrotechnology sector, and I thank the State Government again for its support. this course has been made possible and offered free to all participants through funding from the government’s energising tasmania initiative,” mr Shaw concluded.

minister ellis commented, “I’m delighted that NeCA and the AIpm have delivered this training in three major centres throughout the state. these 80 new certified project managers will help close some of the skills gaps the construction industry is currently facing. the energising tasmania initiative is helping to deliver accessible post-trade training accessible to our tasmanian workforce.”

IN AUGUSt, tASmANIAN mINISter FOr SKILLS, trAINING AND WOrKFOrCe GrOWtH, FeLIX eLLIS mp, WeLCOmeD tHe StAte’S NeWeSt GrOUp OF prOJeCt mANAGerS AS pArt OF AN INNOVAtIVe StAte-WIDe trAINING prOGrAm.

About the course:

NeCA tasmania members were recently provided with the opportunity to enrol in the fully-funded course over three months in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. Usually valued at $4,000, the Diploma in project management was offered free for NeCA members.

the Diploma in project management is nationally recognised. NeCA members who successfully complete the course are admitted to the Institute of project management as a Certified project Officer (CpO), and can further upskill to Certified project professional, master or Director at a higher-level certification.

NeCA members attending the course will have the opportunity to complete the fully funded bSb40920 Certificate IV in project management practice and the bSb0820 Diploma of project management.