Sparkies and Plumbers welcome plans to expand Hi-Vis Army

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), together with the Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania welcome this morning’s announcement that a re-elected Liberal Tasmanian Government will invest an additional $6 million to boost the state’s Hi-Vis Army over the next three years.

The investment will help ensure that Tasmania has the 40,000 skilled tradespeople required by 2033 to deliver on the government’s $27 billion infrastructure pipeline.

“As Tasmania moves closer and closer to becoming the nation’s renewable energy powerhouse, and with an extensive portfolio of additional infrastructure projects on the horizon, additional funding for electrical and plumbing trades is a very welcome move,” said Ben Shaw, State Manager – NECA Tasmania.

“In addition to Master Builders Tasmania, the Housing Industry Tasmania, and the Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania, the Hi-Vis Army now has the opportunity to really begin to make an impact,” Mr Shaw added.

Angela Bennett, Executive Officer – Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania said “It’s a constant battle to get people into the trades and through their training. We need more resources so that we can ensure we have the right supply of quality tradies in Tassie to meet the demand.

“We have a lot of work to do to ensure Tasmania can build its infrastructure into the future and with the Liberal Government’s commitment we would have the tools to meet these challenges head on.

ENDS