Media reports in relation to the practices of an Australia-wide training provider further reinforces the need for VET sector vigilance and reform, says the CEO of the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), Suresh Manickam.

“Today’s reports claiming that a training provider has used door-to-door salespeople, offering free laptops and fake exam results to target potential students reinforces the need for vigilance and reform of the Vocational Education and Training sector.”

“NECA has previously called upon the Federal Government to ensure that the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) provides strict oversight and monitoring of poorly performing training organisations to ensure beneficial teaching outcomes, that apprentices meet industry needs and standards, and that confidence in vocational education and training remains high.”

“Whilst we understand that the operations of this college are presently being monitored by the NSW Minister for Skills, situations such as these warrant further investigation by ASQA at the direction of the Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Luke Hartsuyker,” Mr. Manickam said.

“Australia’s electrical contracting sector has one of the highest safety and technical standards in the world. As a lead player in the training of current and future electricians and contractors across Australia, NECA wants to ensure that the safety and technical standards of our industry remains a priority.”

-ENDS-

Media enquiries and interviews

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications

E barry.jackson@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6904

M 0457 767 328

Notes for editors

1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
2. NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
3. We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 50,000 people Australia-wide.
4. NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
5. The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Technical, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
6. NECA wholly-owns its Legal firm, Group Training and the NECA Colleges (in WA) and EcoSmart Electricians – and has joint ventures with a superannuation company (NSW) and one of the national cabling registrars (ACRS).
7. NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000.
8. For further information go to www.neca.asn.au.