Electrotechnology industry award announced

The Electrotechnology Industry Trade Teacher Award has been awarded by the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) to a Western Australian recipient for the second year running.

Garry Christiansen, who lectures at the Great Southern Institute of Technology, is this year’s winner of the coveted industry award.

NECA said Christiansen is committed to and passionate about the industry with a wide range of experience gained from his career as an electrical engineer. He has developed innovative approaches to apprentice and employer support — including the development of an apprenticeship handbook used by his college, host employers and their apprentices.

Christiansen is also a passionate advocate of training package reform for the industry and regularly contributes to the national debate from a grass-roots delivery standpoint.

“We were very impressed by this year’s candidates,” said Wes McKnight, NECA’s former president and leader of the judging panel.

“Garry was the clear winner. But we were also so impressed by Brett Jotta — also from WA, that we have awarded him a Commendation.

“Brett teaches at the College of Electrical Training and we were very taken by his vision for the future and desire to see young people making a commitment to a trade at a younger age.”

As part of his prize Christiansen will attend the NECA National Excellence Awards in Brisbane at the end of November.

NECA said these annual awards are testament to the quality of professionals teaching in the electrical industry and takes this opportunity to thank all of the committed teachers, lecturers and mentors supporting apprentices, and post-qualification students, in their studies.