NECA NSW 2009 Excellence and Apprentice Awards

The outstanding work of electrical and communications contractors and apprentices was recognised at the NECA NSW Excellence Awards and Apprentice Awards announced on 25 September.

The award winners distinguished themselves through innovative and environmentally efficient design and clever use of technology that continues to set international benchmarks for the electro-technology industry.

Lindsay Le Compte, NECA NSW CEO said: “These peer awards acknowledge the exceptional quality of the projects completed during the last twelve months and the important contribution these organisations make to our industry. The awards set these companies apart, giving them a competitive advantage in a challenging economic environment.”

Excellence Awards winners were:

• Domestic Residence - Sydney Automation Group for private residence, Sylvania
• Small Contracting Business - Australian Electrical Group
• Environment and Energy Efficiency - JES Electrical Group for Hugo’s Manly
• OH&S - SJ Electric
• Industrial - RIC Electrics for Northern Hume Alliance Zone 2 Batch Plant
• Voice/Data Large Project - Fredon Industries for Sydney DC Data Centre
• Commercial Small Project
  • Winner – Barnwell Cambridge for Emu Plains Railway Station upgrade
  • Certificate of Commendation – Ron Bateman
• Commercial Medium Project
  • Winner – Cabra Electrical for The Woolcock Institute
  • Certificate of Commendation – Eastcoast Group NSW
• Commercial Large Project
  • Winner – Stowe Australia for Department of Defence Joint Operations Centre
  • Certificates of Commendation – Downer EDI Engineering and Stowe Australia
• Judges’ Choice Award - Simmonds Electrical for Centro Bankstown

The Apprentice Awards celebrated the achievements of the industry’s most talented and committed senior apprentices.

Le Compte said the Apprentice Awards was an opportunity to recognise the industry’s best apprentices: “It’s vital to continue developing and skilling apprentices to ensure a talented pool of qualified individuals is available in the future, despite the economic downturn. This is particularly the case when Australia is experiencing significant skills shortages. We need to foster talent and, without apprentices, our industry has no future.

“It’s an industry which provides an enormous range of career pathways and one where the technologies are constantly evolving, offering new opportunities for those who stay at the cutting edge. The national broadband rollout and further development of energy-efficient power will also open up many new opportunities for electrical contractors.”

The winners and runners-up were:

• Industrial Automation & Communications
  • First: Elissa Galkin employed by Elam Communications
  • Second: Luke Forner employed by Stowe Australia
  • Third: Sam Raiti employed by Heyday Group
• Commercial/Domestic
  • First: Nathan Roy employed by Heyday Group
  • Second: Jonathon Scott employed by Heyday Group
  • Third: Sam Pintabona employed by Heyday Group
• Industrial
  • First: Joel Berghofer employed by Bass Electrical Engineering
  • Second: Baden Jones employed by Bass Electrical Engineering
  • Third: Mark Ashford employed by Downer EDI Engineering Power

The first-place winners are eligible for the NECA National Awards, to be announced in Melbourne on 25 November 2009.