NECA to open Canberra office

The NECA NSW Chapter has announced that it will establish a permanent home in the ACT for its NSW-based Group Training company.

NECA NSW president Stephen Griffiths said NECA already operated a Group Training company in its Sydney offices but decided to establish a regional ACT office to provide support to local contractors and encourage the employment of apprentices in and around Canberra and the wider region: "NECA has a mission to support our industry and develop employment opportunities for young people and there is a pressing need to address the shortage of skills in the electro-technology and communications industries in Australia and importantly in Canberra and the surrounding region."

The new premises in Fyshwick will be the corporate offices for the ACT Chapter as well as servicing country-based NECA NSW members and will contain a training facility for apprentices as well as electrical and communications contractors.

Richard Mulcahy MLA, ACT Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, said the decision would result in much-needed employment opportunities in the ACT and surrounds and bring economic benefits to Canberra: "This is a key commitment by this country's peak electrical and communications contractor association to support local businesses and those with an interest in taking up apprenticeships in the industry."

NECA ACT president, Greg Kempton also welcomed the announcement as a great step forward: "We need to develop the skills base for our industry and ensure that we are able to continue to supply apprentices and upskill our existing workforce. This decision is an important and major commitment towards achieving that goal."