NECA warns of fire and electrocution dangers when installing insulation

NECA has again warned consumers of the extreme dangers associated with installing ceiling insulation, recommending that a licensed electrical contractor always be involved, following the death of an insulation installer in Brisbane last week.

There has been a considerable increase in the installation of ceiling insulation into Australian homes since the Australian Government announced its ceiling insulation scheme earlier this year. While NECA is strongly committed to the move toward energy efficient homes, it is important that homeowners are aware of the risks involved in installing insulation and that they address the potential impact of insulation on existing electrical wiring.

NECA, would like to clarify that as the only national association representing the industry, we wrote to the Honorary Peter Garrett, Minister for the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in March 2009 to raise awareness of the risks of both fire and electrocution and to bring to the Government's attention a suitable training course for thermal insulation installers.

Most consumers fail to realise that when insulation comes into contact with or conceals wiring, downlights and fans there is a risk of fire. Unsuspecting insulation installers, or anybody working in the roof cavity, are in danger of being electrocuted by hidden live electrical wiring. These dangers have been tragically highlighted with the electrocution and death of an insulation installer last week and a reported increase in the number of house fires caused by insulation in recent months.

NECA will continue to pursue a campaign to increase awareness among householders of the importance of using a properly trained insulation installer with a licensed electrical contractor to ensure existing electrical wiring and other equipment is protected.

Apprenticeship grants to boost youth employment

NECA welcomes the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Employment Participation on improvements to he Jobs Fund to kick-start the employment of new apprentices as the economy recovers.

The Apprentice Kickstart package introduces two initiatives: an $80 million time-limited Apprentice Kickstart Bonus for employers of Australian apprentices in skills shortage trades and $20 million to Increase Pre-apprenticeship Training Opportunities.

The Apprentice Kickstart Bonus is an employer incentive designed to counteract the impact of the global recession on the commencement and retention of young people in traditional trades. This will support youth employment in occupations such as electricians, carpenters, welders, cooks, joiners and hairdressers, which form part of the National Skills Needs List and are still in short supply.

Employers who commence an Australian apprentice who is aged 19 years and under between 1 December 2009 and 28 February 2010 in a qualification leading to a traditional trade occupation will be eligible for the bonus, provided they also meet eligibility requirements under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

The Apprentice Kickstart Bonus is a total of $3,350 paid in instalments of $850 at the three-month point and $2,500 at the nine-month point of the Australian Apprenticeship.

A further $20 million will support 5,000 pre-apprenticeship places to give young people the skills they need to successfully complete a trade. Under the Increased Pre-apprenticeship Training Opportunities measure, the Australian Government will provide funding to State and Territory Governments to develop and manage innovative programs and projects to expand the number of pre-apprenticeship training opportunities available for young people in the traditional trades.

The $100 million incentives are a considerable boost, supporting an additional 21,000 apprentice commencements.

Further information, including Fact Sheet and Questions and Answers, is available from Australian Apprenticeships.

NECA position on skills shortages aligned to government's Keep Australia Working report

NECA has welcomed the recent release of the Australian Government's Keep Australia Working report, stating that it aligns to the findings of the NECA National Skills Shortage Strategy Workforce Projections Project and reinforces NECA's position that it is essential to maintain apprentice numbers during difficult economic times to address emerging skills shortages as the economy recovers.

The Keep Australia Working report focuses on an important lesson learned in the early 1990s - that apprenticeship numbers fall during economic slow-downs with long lasting effects that can amplify skill shortages when the economy recovers. The report recommends that in tighter economic conditions, industry continues to take on apprentices at a sustainable rate to avoid the potential labour and skill shortage lags experienced in the early 1990s.

Keep Australia Working cites NCVER reports that trade apprenticeship commencements (seasonally adjusted) have declined during the last four consecutive quarters, with a decrease of 21.2 per cent between the March quarter 2008 and the March quarter 2009. NSW Department of Education and Training figures also reflect this significant drop with a 19.8 percent decrease in utilities and electrotechology apprenticeships in the last financial year.

The government's findings support those of NECA in its National Skills Shortage Strategy Workforce Projections Project. NECA's project was carried out during 2007-2008 with around 5,500 industry representatives, employers, employees, registered training organisations, group training organisations and other key stakeholders. It identified significant skill shortages in the electrotechnology industry and that the global economic crisis was impacting on the current and projected labour market and sources of business.

NECA national chief executive officer, James Tinslay, said, "The significant drop in apprentice numbers in the electrotechnology industry during the past 18 months and the skills shortages identified through our research are extremely concerning as apprentices represent the skilled workers of the future. We need to make sure that our skills base is maintained, even in tighter economic conditions, so that our industry is able to take advantage of the opportunities that come with economic recovery."

"The government's understanding of this situation and targeted additional support to employers in taking on apprentices is imperative to ensuring intakes continue at a sustainable rate. This is essential to avoid the potential labour and skill shortage lags experienced in the early 1990s and to guarantee the future success of the industry," Mr Tinslay said.