NECA 2009 Awards open for nominations

NECA has announced its 2009 suite of industry awards, including the Excellence Awards, recognising technologically advanced and professionally managed projects; the Apprentice Awards, recognising outstanding electrical and communications apprentices; the Post-apprenticeship Awards to encourage individuals expand their knowledge and career prospects; and Electrotechnology School Student Awards that recognise secondary school students.

James Tinslay, NECA national CEO, said: “The awards, now in their 21st year, recognise the industry’s most outstanding people and work over the past year. This is our members’ opportunity to highlight their company's excellence in electrotechnology by nominating those projects and people that reflect their best in technical innovation, customer service and business profitability.

“While nominations can take some time to prepare, they’re definitely worth the effort, as part of a marketing plan to differentiate a company’s services. This year, the awards are based on a ‘lighting the way’ concept, highlighting industry leadership in work quality, skills, commitment to customer service and business excellence.”

Nominations will firstly enter the State Awards, with state winners eligible to enter the National Excellence Award in their category, held in November in Melbourne.

The Apprentice Awards are open to fourth-year apprentices, or recent graduates, who have demonstrated excellence in personal development, academic study and workplace competency.

Tinslay said the program is recognised by both employers and employees as an inspiring component of their recognition activities: “NECA, through its group training companies, understands that encouragement is critical to an apprentice’s career development, along with recognition of hard work and commitment. These awards provide a formal process of recognition of the best and brightest apprentices, in front of their peers, employers and industry at large.”

The Post-apprenticeship Awards, a joint NECA and ElectroComms Contracting Foundation initiative, are designed to enhance the industry’s ability to face future challenges through further training and upskilling of qualified tradespeople. The awards contribute to the costs of further tuition undertaken after completing an electrical apprenticeship and include a valuable mentoring system, where industry leaders offer their time and support to discuss industry challenges.

The Electrotechnology School Student Awards are open to students currently enrolled in years 9, 10, 11 and 12 in Australian secondary schools.

Tinslay said NECA is keen to encourage talented young students to choose a career in electrotechnology and to recognise the vast array of technical and management opportunities available to them: “From NECA’s perspective we’re keen to continue developing the pool of talented and enthusiastic new entrants to the sector and these awards help us to raise awareness of the career possibilities. They reward students who have excelled in their studies or extracurricular activities and who have demonstrated a passion for learning about the industry.”

Excellence may be demonstrated through work in areas such as school projects, VET in Schools, school-based apprenticeships, extracurricular projects and community or individual projects.