News & Views

6th February 2018

NECA selected to provide apprentice mentoring program

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) is pleased to announce a successful tender for the delivery of the Federal Government’s new Industry Specialist Mentoring for Australian Apprentices (ISMAA) program.

The ISMAA program aims to increase Australian apprentice retention rates, focusing on the first two years of training, in order to improve completion rates and support the supply of skilled workers in industries undergoing structural change.

“NECA is delighted to have been selected to deliver the ISMAA program nationally for electrotechnology apprentices,” said Suresh Manickam, CEO NECA. “Mentoring has been a component of our apprentice training program for some time and contributes to our above average apprentice completion rates.

“We value mentoring highly and are looking forward to trialling new approaches within the ISMAA program in order to improve completion rates for first and second year apprentices within the electrical sector,” Manickam said. The ISMAA program provides apprentices who are struggling to complete their training intensive specialist assistance through one-on-one contact with a highly skilled industry mentor. Each apprentice develops an Individual Mentoring Plan with their mentor outlining the range of support that will be provided.

Electrotechnology apprentices will form part of the group of around 45,000 Australian apprentices in the first two years of their training joining apprentices from a range of other industries including building and construction, accommodation & food services and health care.

In December 2017, NECA’s Federal Pre-Budget Submission 2018/19, called upon the Federal Government to allocate funds for the mentoring of electrotechnology apprentices in order to help ensure high quality completion rates. The Submission also recognised the importance of female mentoring in delivering more female apprentices across the electrical sector.

“Programs such as ISMAA play an important role in chipping away at Australia’s looming skills shortage – for which the Federal Government should be congratulated. However, ISMAA in itself will not solve Australia’s skills shortage crisis. We therefore encourage both Federal and State Governments to actively pursue further innovative and immediate programmes in order to turn the tide of this crisis,” said Manickam.

-ENDS-

NECA media contact Lynda Proude 0458 726 355, lynda.proude@neca.asn.au ski

Notes for editors

1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications

contractors Australia-wide.

2. Membership comprises over 5,000 contracting companies with over 50,000 employees.

3. NECA wholly-owns Registered Training Organisations and Group Training Organisations in

NSW, VIC & WA, the EcoSmart Electricians initiative, ACRS (a national cabling registrar)

and has a joint venture with NESS Super in NSW.

4. NECA employs around 2,000 apprentice electricians, training a further 2,000.

NECA National Corporate Sponsors:

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