This evening, some of Australia’s brightest electrical apprentices were recognised by National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) at its National Apprentice Awards event at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra.

The Awards are held annually to acknowledge the achievements of each state’s winners.

This year’s guest speaker was Alan Tongue, the former captain of the Canberra Raiders NRL club. Alan grew up in Tamworth, NSW and completed a Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology (Light Vehicle) during his playing career. Alan is an Australian Apprenticeship Ambassador and was recently named as the ACT’s 2017 Australian of the Year.

Apprentices from across the country gathered in Canberra to hear the winners of three award categories: Industrial, Commercial/Domestic and Communications.

This year’s category winners are:

Industrial

Commercial/Domestic

Communications

“This year’s entrants remind us that as an industry we have so many talented young people transitioning through to the trade. On behalf of NECA, I congratulate all our winners,” said NECA CEO, Suresh Manickam

“None of this would have been possible if it was not for the excellent trade teachers we have in our industry. The calibre of entries for this year’s award were exceptional, and we ended up not being able to choose between the two strongest candidates, and therefore, this year we have joint winners,” concluded, Suresh Manickam.

Trade Teachers

-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

Andrew Jefferies – National Policy and Submissions

E andrew.jefferies@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6903

M 0458 726 355

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 RTOs and GTOs in NSW, VIC & WA, the EcoSmart Electricians initiative and ACRS – one of the national cabling registrars, and has a joint venture with a superannuation company in NSW (NESS Super).
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.