NECA Tasmania Awards for 2010

The best of Tasmania’s talented and committed businesses in the electrotechnology industry were recently recognised at the annual Excellence Awards, hosted by peak industry body NECA.

PSG Russell Smith, one of the leading electrical contractors in Tasmania, received the top state award in all three categories in front over 200 industry representatives including contractors, educators and government representatives at the annual function.

NECA Chief Executive Officer James Tinslay said the winning company was chosen because of their commitment to excellence, significant engineering achievements and importantly, finishing the complex jobs on time and in budget, adding: “The projects that PSG Russell Smith completed were just phenomenal.

“As the electrotechnology industry continues to grow and tackle new technological challenges, it is encouraging to see that Tasmanian electrical and communication contractors are leading the country in everything from occupational health and safety, through to energy efficiency and the wiring of smart homes.”

The 2010 Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Jeremy Howlett from Hobart. Howlett is a fourth-year electrical apprentice with the Tasmanian Building Group Apprenticeship Scheme and his host employer is Hawtree Electrical & Communications Solutions.

Tinslay said that the judges were impressed with Howlett’s development as an apprentice: “To be named Apprentice of the Year is a huge honour and something Jeremy should be very proud of. The judges acknowledged the academic achievements and on-the-job accomplishments and decided that Jeremy was the best-performing apprentice in Tasmania.

“It’s important to remember that it is not only the apprentices working to build skills in our industry. Many contractors, like Hawtree Electrical & Communications Solutions, host young apprentices giving them the guidance and opportunities required to complete their trade.”

The winning projects were:

• Industrial Project category - PSG Russell Smith for Botanical Resources Ltd, Pellet Store
• Commercial - Medium Project ($500,000 to $2 million) category - PSG Russell Smith for Launceston Airport Redevelopment
• Commercial - Large Project (greater than $2 million) category - PSG Russell Smith for Medical Sciences 1