Industrial and environmental projects were among the winners of the annual 2009 National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) Excellence Awards for Tasmania last week, which celebrated the works of electrical apprentices and contractors.
The NECA Excellence Awards are a national showcase for electrotechnology contractors and encourage and reward excellence and professionalism within the peak industry body.
State winner of the Apprentice Awards, Matthew Felham of Burnie, led the field of eight apprentices who have reached or exceeded their employers’ expectations to be nominated for these awards.
Contact Electrical of Burnie had a particularly good evening. As well as its apprentice taking out the top award, the company also won two of the contractor awards presented on the night — the Environment and Energy Efficiency Award and the Commercial Medium Project Award.
NECA national chief executive officer, James Tinslay, said: “What we are seeing is a constant raising of the bar by our members. Innovation, quality workmanship, health and safety achievements and excellent examples of how good communication and project management add up to satisfied customers and jobs well done, are all in evidence.”
“Most importantly, there are some outstanding apprentices this year. Seeing their work and the way their employers are supporting them gives me great confidence that our industry will continue to thrive and produce some of Australia’s finest electricians.”
Participating NECA members underwent a tough peer review judging process to be presented with awards, the award organisers said.
Criteria included the quality of work on the project, management systems and technical innovation and work practices, including occupational health and safety, and training.
Tasmania state winners are now eligible for the National Excellence Awards, which will be announced in Melbourne on 26 November 2009.