Industry News
New regional president for Avnet Electronics Marketing Taiwan
Avnet Electronics Marketing has appointed a new regional president for Taiwan. Prince Yun is currently the vice president of Avnet for Taiwan and will step up into the position of president on 1 April. [ + ]
NBN to 3.5m homes and businesses by 2015
More than 3.5 million homes, schools, hospitals and businesses will have access to National Broadband Network fibre services in the next three years, NBN Co has announced. [ + ]
Rockwell opens new South Pacific headquarters
After 25 years in Blackburn, Rockwell Automation has relocated to Bayswater. The company's new South Pacific headquarters are located on Mountain Highway in Bayswater. [ + ]
NBN rollout will create jobs for Tasmania
Tasmania’s politicians have welcomed news that up to 800 new jobs will be created during the final construction stage of the National Broadband Network in Tasmania. The National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) has forecast that a workforce of up to 800 will be required at the peak of construction in 2015. [ + ]
Skills shortage needs urgent attention, Engineers Australia tells inquiry
Our engineering skills shortage needs urgent attention, Engineers Australia told the Senate Inquiry into the Shortage of Engineering and Related Employment Skills. [ + ]
5 tips to beat business phone fraud
Telstra Business has taken the step of sending warnings out to its business customers following an increase in cases where hackers have gained unauthorised access to business phone systems. [ + ]
USU: Endeavour's outsourcing puts scores of jobs at risk
Endeavour Energy plans to outsource electricity connection and disconnection field officer positions, according to the United Services Union (USU). The Union group claims this will put scores of jobs at risk and affect supply reliability for NSW residents. [ + ]
Testo launches webshop
Portable measuring instruments manufacturer Testo has launched an online shop, testoAUS, to make searching for measuring equipment easier. [ + ]
Businesses should review energy contracts before carbon tax hits, says Energy Action
Independent energy management company, Energy Action, said that energy retailers are likely to process a carbon adjustment to clients’ bills by either increasing contract energy rates or introducing a new line item to bills. Most existing retail electricity contracts do not charge for carbon, but do contain clauses allowing for adjusted prices in response to the carbon tax. [ + ]
Jemena: smart meters sabotaged
Jemena has announced that the failure of 21 smart meters was the result of sabotage “by an unknown person or persons”. The company said that the sabotage was confirmed by independent chemical testing and that each meter failed safely. [ + ]
New headquarters and State Manager for Master Electricians Australia
Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has been busy, appointing Jody McGann as the new State Manager and officially opening its new headquarters in Parramatta. [ + ]
Legislation passed to abolish the ABCC
The Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) is to be abolished after the Building and Construction Industry (Transition to Fair Work) Bill was passed in the Senate on 20 March. The Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate will replace the ABCC. [ + ]
Energy merger risks thousands of jobs, claims Unions NSW
Thousands of jobs are at risk from the planned merger of Endeavour Energy, Ausgrid and Essential Energy, Unions NSW claims. [ + ]
Australian company sheds new light on Westminster Hall
Westminster Hall has received a 21st-century update, courtesy of an Australian company. The Gerard Lighting Group’s Pierlite Division in the UK has installed almost 1000 LED energy-saving lamps in six huge chandeliers that grace Westminster Hall - the oldest part of the UK Houses of Parliament, built in the 11th century. [ + ]
Mentors for apprentices will aid retention rates
Australian apprentices will receive more support in the form of industry-based mentors and advisers, Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, has announced. [ + ]

