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onto the list of elective modules and
into our apprenticeships as options for
future tradespeople?
This then raises the bigger question, do
we ever ‘split’ or create a second licence?
Or, as the experts call it, do we create
different channels that ultimately restrict
licensed tradespeople to what they have
chosen in the elective modules through
their apprenticeship?
This idea has been around for ages,
and I have some real problems with it.
However, if we don’t provide our future
people with options and other directions
we may lose the right to control our
future. Bureaucrats will push this
change and we won’t be in any position
to manage the safety aspects.
This is a challenge in other countries,
where the electrical contracting
industry has stayed in its traditional
place and personnel have become a
lower class of tradespeople. All they
are engaged to do is the front and
final connection.
The highest-paid tradespeople or
technicians are no longer just electricians.
They are multi-licensed and trained in all
types of low-voltage systems in addition
to traditional electrical work. Ignoring this
will cause our trade to be diminished, with
a lesser role in all buildings.
WiFi being run over lighting circuits,
lights being controlled by WiFi and
using 240V cabling infrastructure to
run communications are all examples
of newer technology merging with our
sector. An apprentice being trained in
2016 needs this kind of background.
An open and honest conversation
needs to start, again, about training
updates and continuing development for
our apprentices now and in the future.
Wage structures, training costs and
access to technology all need to be part of
the conversation.
A modern, flexible, tested and trusted
system needs to be developed from our
current base. Contractors, educators,
regulators and technology suppliers
need to engage in this process to make
sure we retain the safety record of the
electrical industry.
Appropriately trained and tested
tradespeople should be installing the
new systems in Australia – without
splintering into hundreds of minor
vendor-trained categories.
Our industry must be the installer
of choice.
BY
WES
MCKNIGHT
EMONA
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