Together, the ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities industries are a major driver of the changing face of Australian business. The growth and rate of change in both the ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities industries and the related occupations is substantial. In Australia, ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities have a combined total workforce of over 539,000 people. The ElectroComms & EnergyUtilities industry includes:
- Electrotechnology
- Communications
- Computer systems
- Electronics
- Electrical
- Information/data technology/communications
- Instrumentation
- Refrigeration and air conditioning
- Lifts
- Renewable/sustainable energy
- Gas
- Electricity Supply (Generation and Transmission & Distribution)
ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities impacts on almost every aspect of daily life. The technology ranges from traditional light and power, hardware platforms and networking automation to virtual enterprise, the internet and fibreoptics. The spread of new information processing and communication technologies means that the industry is developing rapidly.
The Elecrotechnology industry is the largest sector in ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities employing more than 467,000 people and covering over 16 occupations at CII and CIII qualifications.
Electrotechnology includes the installation, servicing, repair and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment for industrial, commercial and domestic purposes. It comprises communications, distribution and transmission, electrical generation and computer data and communications cabling systems and Sustainable/Renewable Energies.
The telecommunications and information technology aspects of the industry are becoming increasingly important as the knowledge economy alters the way businesses operate, as is Sustainable Energy Practices and Renewable Energies are on our environment.
People employed in the electrotechnology industry can be found working in most sectors. Principal areas include:
- Construction
- Communication services
- Electrical generation, transmission and distribution
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Chemical
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Housing/domestic
- Resources
- Transport and logistics
- Maritime
- Health and community services
- Wholesale and retail
- Sustainable and Renewable Energies
The Energy Utilities (Electricity and Gas) sector employs approximately 72,000 people, with a relatively high skills profile. Twenty five per cent of people in the industry are in the trades category and there is an above average proportion of workers in the associate professional level. Forty per cent of all workers have a VET qualification (compared with 22 per cent of the total labour force)
