NESMA (National Electrical Switchboard Manufacturers Association)

Switchboard manufacturers' peak body in NSW is strongly backing a call for broad industry support for changes to the National Occupational Licensing System (NOLS) to include a new Electrical Fitter License.

The call was made by a member of a statutory committee advising the Federal Government on impending changes to NOLS, Mr Bob Taylor, in an address to the annual seminar of the National Electrical Switchboard Manufacturers Association (NSW) Inc in Sydney.

Mr Taylor said a single national license for electrical fitters would enhance safety and efficiency by removing licensing inconsistencies across Australia, providing a more mobile skilled workforce, reducing red tape, and improving the competitiveness and productivity of the national economy.

Recognising the different roles performed by specialized electrical switchboard fitters and general electricians would benefit not only the switchboard manufacturing industry, but also particularly a wide of cross section of customers in industries using its products (See below).

The recommendation for such a change must be made before a Federal and State Government Ministerial Council meets at the end of 2011 to consider finalised regulations and a Decision Regulation Impact Statement prior to the commencement of the licensing system for the electrical occupational area on July 1 next year.

But the change will only be effective if all States and Territories adopt the same recommendation – "If just one jurisdiction doesn't take it up, it's a problem," said Mr Taylor, who is CEO of EE-Oz Training Standards and an electrical industry professional with more than 30 years experience in public and private works.

The President of NESMA NSW, Mr Yeh-Sheng Kuan, said failure to support the electrical fitter license would have profound implications, not only for safety, but also for the standards of professionalism and skills of young people entering the industry and, ultimately, Australian industry's ranking within the international stream of technology development. "This is a fundamental issue affecting the future of our industry," Mr Yeh-Sheng Kuan told a full house of more than 120 NESMA representatives and industry professionals at the NESMA Seminar 2011 on July 26. NESMA members and other interested parties can voice their support by contacting their local NESMA State President, details at www.nesma.org.au.

Mr Yeh-Sheng Kuan and NESMA Vice President and Treasurer Mr Mark Betcher welcomed seminar speakers including Mr Scott Emerson, whose address was about The Perfect Spec; Mr Taylor speaking about NOLS; and Mr Rohit Narayan speaking about Selection of Surge Protection Devices? Mr Yeh-Sheng Kuan and Mr Betcher thanked sponsors who made the event possible, including ABB, Austral Wright Metals, IPD Industrial Products, NHP and Schneider Electric.

NESMA is the body that represents member interests in the Electrical Switchboard Manufacturing industry throughout Australia. It was formed to advance the Art & Science of Low Voltage Switchboard Design and Manufacturing in Australia. NESMA's key objectives are:

• The advancement of the industry within Australia
• The encouragement of the manufacture by members of appropriately designed, high quality switchboards for commercial and industrial use.
• Ongoing research and development utilizing global organizations to better control, monitor and protect electrical power.
   

NESMA industry customers include the mining and construction industries, electronic and electrical engineering; building, construction and property management; industrial automation; computer; data processing in financial, retail, hospital, hospitality and commercial applications; manufacturing and metal processing; energy and petroleum; transport, warehousing and workshop; industrial process and control engineering, including infrastructure and water and waste water management; and safety.