CiSRA, the Australian research and development centre for Canon, has appointed Keiji Ishizuka as the new managing director. [ + ]

Researchers have developed a new LED driver that powers LED light bulbs with an innovative approach called multilevel PWM (pulse-width modulation). [ + ]

A Brisbane electrical apprentice has taken out the National Apprentice of the Year Award. Dalton Pike from Tradesmen on Time, an Accredited Master Electrician, was presented the award at a presentation hosted by Master Electricians Australia. [ + ]

Schneider Electric has licensed Australian-owned and operated Mayfield Industries to locally manufacture Schneider's Okken low-voltage switchboards, for distribution to mining, water, and oil and gas sites across Australia. [ + ]

Wes McKnight, president of the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), has announced that James Tinslay, NECA's national CEO, will be stepping down at the end of the year. [ + ]

Fluke Industrial President Wes Pringle has been named as President of Fluke Corporation and will now be responsible for all Fluke global businesses. The company has also expanded the responsibilities of Jimmy Hwong, President, Asia Pacific. [ + ]

While training organisations have welcomed the Coalition's proposed apprentice loan scheme, others have been less pleased with the proposal, saying it is not the answer to low apprenticeship completion rates. [ + ]

North Queensland’s top electricians were acknowledged at MEA’s North Queensland Excellence Awards. Fourteen awards were presented to businesses and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding industry achievements. [ + ]

Toyota Motorsport GmbH, the engineering services supplier pioneering motorsport-related electrical vehicle (EV) technology, has received a customised electric vehicle EVlink DC quick-charging station from Schneider Electric. [ + ]

NECA will partner with the Safety Show Sydney this year. The Sydney event is the last safety show for 2013 and will be held at the Sydney Showground on 3-5 September. [ + ]

The Fair Work Commission has issued a decision to change a number of award provisions relating to apprentices. Apprentice wages will increase and minimum award rates for adult apprentices will be increased. [ + ]

Two new large-scale solar farms will be built in the ACT after Zhenfa Solar and Elementus Energy were announced as the winning bidders of the ACT’s Solar Auction. [ + ]

The Australian Centre for Health Innovation (CHI) and Schneider Electric have reached a partnership agreement that will enable hands-on interaction with Schneider’s intelligent, integrated healthcare technologies. [ + ]

ABB’s 500 MW HVDC light interconnection between Ireland and the UK enables leveraging of wind energy and facilitates power flows between the two countries. [ + ]

Improving the energy efficiency of its building portfolio could cut the federal government’s energy expenditure by more than $35 million per year, the GBCA says. [ + ]