The 2017 National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Victoria Excellence Awards took place on Friday 4 August at the Crown Palladium in Southbank, Melbourne, bringing together over 800 contractors, suppliers, educators, government representatives, family and friends.

Victorian NECA council members and sponsors of the event presented the winners trophies and certificates in each of the 14 categories, which included 12 excellence awards projects and two apprentice award winners.

NECA Victoria executive director James Keegan says the finalist and winners of the excellence awards set the benchmark for all electrical contractors and apprentices moving forward.

“The future of our industry is extremely bright for Victoria. The projects we have seen presented this year have amazed the judging panel and selecting a winner from each category has been a very difficult task. The apprentices have a great knowledge of their trade and we are delighted by their eagerness to excel and grow in our industry. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for your outstanding achievements.”

 2017 NECA Apprentice of the Year awards winners

Each Apprentice of the Year award winner was recognised as the best fourth year or recently completed apprentice in Victoria and walked away with $5,000.

Second and third each received $2,500 and $1,000 respectively, bringing the total award prize money to $17,000.

Commercial/Domestic Category:

Winner – Jason Dupont. Employer: Lanec Services

Second Place – Mitchell Price. Employer: Tesch Electrics

Third Place – Antony Accary. Employer: Laser Electrical Narre Warren North

 Industrial Category:

Winner – Tim Stanway. Employer: Schneider Electric

Second Place – Jake Eccleston. Employer: NECA Education & Careers

Third Place – Clark Reilly. Employer: NECA Education & Careers

 2017 NECA Excellence Awards Winners

Category – Domestic Residence

Company: Advanced Lifestyle Solutions Pty Ltd

Project: Modern Melbourne Residence

 Category – Industrial Small Project

Company: CJ Pearce Pty Ltd

Project: ABB AVR Upgrade

 Category – Industrial Medium Project

Company: Scarlett Contracting Pty Ltd

Project: Ampacet Australia Pty Ltd

 Category – Industrial Large Project

Company: Nilsen (Vic) Pty Ltd

Project: Webb Dock International Container Terminal

 Category – Commercial Small Project

Company: DESA Australia

Project: Legoland Discovery Centre

 Category – Commercial Medium Project

Company: Nilsen (Vic) Pty Ltd

Project: Northland Switchboard Changeover Project

 Category – Commercial Large Project

Company: Nilsen (Vic) Pty Ltd

Project: New Bendigo Hospital

 Category – Voice/Data Communications & Audio Visual Project

Company: Nilsen (Vic) Pty Ltd

Project: Webb Dock Fast Track Communications Infrastructure (VIC)

 Category – Lighting

Company: Laser Electrical Narre Warren North

Project: External Facade Lighting Upgrade for the Drum Theatre, Dandenong

Category – Work Health Safety Management System – Project

Company: CJ Pearce Pty Ltd – Rob Fry

Project: Crombie Lane HV Switchgear Upgrade

Category – Work Health Safety Management System – Company

Company: Programmed Electrical Technologies

 Category – Small Contracting Business

Company: ATS – Australian Technical Services Pty Ltd

Project: MGS – Main Switchboard Upgrade and Sub-Main Installation