The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has congratulated the NSW government for its financial commitment to infrastructure spending. NSW has committed to spending $112.7 billion across four years alongside detailed plans to return the Budget to surplus by 2024.

NECA chief executive Oliver Judd says that the budget’s focus on women is fantastic. The construction industry is changing, and NECA has long been an advocate for women joining trades.

Initiatives such as our Women-in-Power program have helped to progress this, but funding like the $20.2 million put towards tripling the number of women in construction by 2030, is a positive step in what continues to be a long but essential journey.

“NECA also supports spending announcements in childcare, which will allow hardworking families to better share the responsibility of looking after children and helping parents return to the workforce,” Oliver says.

“Across the state, businesses and workers will reap the benefits of this spending. It is an excellent time to be an electrical contractor, business owner or employee. The $112.7 billion infrastructure spend includes significant transportation investment, hospital upgrades and new housing in regional areas. Further proof that an electrical contracting career is a lucrative one and is an integral part of building the state.”

He adds that NECA has been advocating for funding and fully supports the announcement of $1.2 billion to establish a Transmission Acceleration Facility to carry energy from renewable energy zones to our businesses and our homes which will help fast-track the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

“As we see costs of living and running businesses skyrocket, packages like the $128 million Energy Bill Buster Program help eligible households reduce power bills through solar panel installations or high-efficiency appliances,” he says.

“We continue to talk about labour shortages. The government’s two-year, $82.7 million support for a further 70,000 apprentice, trainees, and high-priority training placements will have a significant impact. We also welcome the $250 prepaid Regional Apprentice and Uni Travel Card, set to help regional apprentices get to and from work.”