Nearly 100,000 construction labour jobs will be up for grabs in Australia’s mining, energy and infrastructure projects in 2013, according to a new labour market index launched by the Australian Mines and Metals Association. [ + ]

BSI, the world’s first National Standards Body, has acquired NCSI from the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia. NCSI’s business will be combined with BSI to form BSI incorporating NCSI. [ + ]

Allied Telesis has appointed Shayne Taylor as Country Manager for Allied Telesis Australia. Based in Sydney, Taylor will be responsible for growing the company’s sales presence and managing existing business and channel partners. [ + ]

CSIRO today announced a $13 million research collaboration with four leading Australian universities to develop the nation’s capacity to plan and design the most efficient, low-emission electricity grid for Australia. [ + ]

An Australian-developed electric vehicle charger can halve electric vehicle (EV) charging costs, a world-first Victorian Department of Transport trial has found. The ChargeIQ EV charger was also found to optimise utilities’ network performance. [ + ]

Energy research specialist Energeia says microgrids will give consumers greater control over the cost, carbon intensity and reliability of their electricity supply - and, ultimately, the option of complete independence from the main grid. [ + ]

The 2013 AIRAH Awards are open to individuals, companies, corporate bodies, institutions and government authorities, and recognise work carried out during 2012. [ + ]

ASHRAE’s Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) energy labelling program has been expanded to include an As Designed label, in addition to the In Operation label. [ + ]

Master Electricians Australia has urged the Queensland Government to restrict power price rises for off-peak energy tariffs, in order to ease pressure on the grid, reduce the amount of investment needed and cut costs to consumers. [ + ]

ABB has announced that it will start producing central inverters at its Johannesburg facility in 2014 to support the rapidly growing local photovoltaic (PV) market and local content requirements. [ + ]

The lack of electricians entering Australia from overseas is severely stunting growth within the construction sector, Master Electricians Australia (MEA) claims. [ + ]

NBN Co has announced the release of its Master Developer Agreement (MDA). The new MDA aims to streamline NBN Co’s implementation of the government’s Fibre in New Developments Policy. [ + ]

Lend Lease’s Darling Quarter and Commonwealth Bank Place development has taken home four awards from the 2013 Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards. [ + ]

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has expressed concerns over the drop in numbers of apprentices. [ + ]

ASIS and BICSI have signed a memorandum of understanding to foster the growth of the security and information technology systems industries, promote public safety and protect critical infrastructure globally. [ + ]