Harting Electronics has won the Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Award in the production competition’s information technology category with its highly effective deployment of state-of-the-art IT structures in production and supply chain management. [ + ]

NMIT has been selected to trial a new electrical apprenticeship program in 2013, offering individuals the chance to complete their apprenticeship when deemed competent. The national Managing Apprenticeship Program (MAP) pilot program is an initiative overseen by E-Oz Energy Skills Australia to focus on improving electrical apprentice completion rates in Australia. [ + ]

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) recently shared in winning a prestigious safety award through its membership of the management committee of the Brian Miller Construction Safety Education Forum. [ + ]

The ACCC is inviting comment on a discussion paper relating to Telstra’s migration plan that involves what is known as the ‘pull through’ process. Telstra says it may need to use this process to connect some premises to the NBN. [ + ]

One in four Australian IT managers considers IT energy consumption of no concern, as they struggle to keep up with constant change and requirements for adequate monitoring and management capabilities. [ + ]

Warren & Brown has released a catalogue featuring the latest in optical fibre and copper structured cabling products. Highlighted in the catalogue are CAT6A products and solutions as well as the complete range of optical fibre management products including optical distribution frames, subracks, ducting raceway, cable assemblies and the MPO/MTP plug-and-play solution. [ + ]

Low Carbon Australia is financing an $11 million pilot energy-generation project at Traralgon in Victoria that demonstrates the potential for power security across Australia’s eastern seaboard. [ + ]

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has announced that it is supporting the McGrath Foundation to ensure every Australian woman experiencing breast cancer, and her family, has access to the support of a breast care nurse, as well as educating all young Australian women to be breast aware, in conjunction with the NECA Conference 2013 in Malaysia next April. [ + ]

According to Kroll Ontrack, the rise of mobile devices in the workplace and widespread adoption of virtualisation drove an increase in data recovery requests globally in 2012. The race to reduce the cost of solid state drives (SSDs) will further fuel adoption and even higher volumes of data recovery requests in 2013. [ + ]

According to a recent report from the CSIRO, in a first for Australia, over 35 industry partners will work together to explore a future vision for Australia’s electricity system. This vision will help guide the expected $240 billion investment required by the sector over the next 20 years. [ + ]

“2013 looks like it’s shaping up as another tough slog for Australian businesses, with no indication the international economy will improve dramatically or that we will see any pressure taken off the high Australian dollar,” said NSW Business Chamber CEO Stephen Cartwright. [ + ]

Scientists at RMIT University are attempting to boost the efficiency of solar energy conversion technology with an improved type of solar cell. [ + ]

A new joint Australian-US research institute led by the University of New South Wales(UNSW) will foster rapid development of ‘over the horizon’ photovoltaic technology and establish Australia as the solar cell research and education hub of the Asia-Pacific region. [ + ]

Electrical contractors are set to benefit from a new partnership formed between Master Electricians Australia and national wholesaler Lawrence & Hanson. [ + ]

Indigenous Business Australia has announced investment in Message Stick Communications, a successful majority Aboriginal-owned business that provides unified communications services to a range of corporate and government clients. [ + ]