NECA Celebrates the Life Changing Power of Electrical and Communications Careers

As National Skills Week begins across Australia from 24 to 30 August, the National Electrical and Communications Association is celebrating the apprentices, employers, trainers and industry professionals building Australia’s electrical and digital future.

National Skills Week provides an important opportunity to recognise the value of vocational education and training and the life changing career opportunities available across the electrical, electrotechnology and communications sectors.

Australia’s transition to renewable energy, the expansion of data centres and digital infrastructure, and continued investment in housing, hospitals, transport and advanced manufacturing are creating unprecedented demand for skilled electrical and communications workers.

NECA National Chief Executive Officer Stewart Joyce said apprenticeships provide a respected and rewarding pathway into industries that are essential to Australia’s future.

“National Skills Week reminds Australians that an apprenticeship is not simply a training program. It is the beginning of a skilled career that can lead to technical specialisation, project leadership, senior management and business ownership,” Mr Joyce said.

“As an electrician myself, I know the opportunities an electrical apprenticeship can create. It provides practical skills, nationally recognised qualifications and a career that contributes directly to the communities in which we live and work.”

To help more Australians understand these opportunities, the NECA Foundation has developed the Electrotechnology Careers Pathway, an interactive online resource that maps career progression across more than 70 roles in the electrotechnology industry.

The Pathway allows students, apprentices, electricians, career changers, parents, teachers, career advisers and employers to explore different occupations, understand what each role involves and see how a career can progress from entry into the trade through to specialisation, leadership and business ownership.

The Electrotechnology Careers Pathway can be explored at:

https://www.necafoundation.com.au/careerspathway

It is supported by NECO, an artificial intelligence chat assistant that answers questions using information contained in the Pathway. NECO can be accessed at:

https://www.necafoundation.com.au/neco

“Too many people overlook an electrical career because they cannot see where the trade may take them over the longer term,” Mr Joyce said.

“The Electrotechnology Careers Pathway makes that future visible. It demonstrates that completing an apprenticeship can be the foundation for a diverse, secure and highly rewarding career.”

Electrical contractors can also use the Pathway to attract, develop and retain employees by showing prospective and existing staff the opportunities available within their businesses and across the broader industry.

“Employers who take on apprentices are making an investment in their businesses and Australia’s future capability,” Mr Joyce said.

“They deserve recognition for providing the supervision, experience and mentoring that allow apprentices to become safe, capable and highly skilled tradespeople.”

NECA is encouraging more young people, career changers, women and people from diverse backgrounds to consider careers in the electrical and communications industries. It is also calling on more businesses to employ or host apprentices.

“Meeting Australia’s housing, energy, infrastructure and digital ambitions will require considerably more skilled electricians and communications specialists,” Mr Joyce said.

“That workforce must be developed now through quality training, genuine workplace experience and a much clearer understanding of the outstanding careers our industry offers.”

NECA congratulates every apprentice undertaking their training and thanks the employers, host businesses, trainers and mentors supporting them during National Skills Week and throughout their careers.