Australia is facing one of the most significant skilled-trade shortages in decades — and the electrical industry is at the centre of it. From housing construction and commercial development to the fast-paced expansion of renewable energy and infrastructure, demand for qualified electricians has never been higher. At NECA, we see this challenge not as a crisis — but as a call to action.

The electrician shortage is not a future problem. It is a current reality affecting productivity, project delivery, safety, and the nation’s ability to meet its clean-energy targets. As the peak industry body for electrical and communications contractors, NECA is uniquely positioned to lead the workforce solution — and we are doing exactly that through education, apprenticeships, and industry-driven training.

The Scale of the Shortage

Across NSW and nationwide, contractors are struggling to find enough licensed electricians to meet project demand. Large-scale infrastructure programs, residential growth, data and communications expansion, and renewable energy development are all competing for the same limited workforce.

At the same time, an ageing workforce and declining apprenticeship completion rates are placing additional pressure on the industry. Without decisive action to rebuild the skills pipeline now, Australia risks long-term capacity constraints that will impact everything from housing affordability to energy reliability.

Why Training Quality Matters More Than Ever

A workforce shortage is not just a numbers problem — it is also a quality and safety issue. Poorly trained or under-supervised workers increase the risk of electrical incidents, defects, and regulatory non-compliance. In a high-risk trade, quality training is not optional — it is essential.

That is why NECA places such a strong emphasis on industry-led training delivered by experienced electrical professionals. Our approach ensures that apprentices and trainees are not only job-ready, but safety-focused, compliant, and equipped for the realities of modern electrical work.

NECA’s Workforce Solution: From Apprentice to Industry Leader

Through NECA, we deliver a complete end-to-end workforce pathway that supports apprentices, employers, and the broader electrical industry.

Our programs include:

• Electrical Apprenticeships (Certificate III in Electrotechnology)
  NECA employs and supports apprentices, placing them with host employers while delivering nationally recognised training. This removes administrative burden from contractors while ensuring consistent training quality.
• Pre-Apprenticeship & Career Starter Programs
  Designed to prepare new entrants with foundational skills, safety awareness, and real-world exposure — increasing apprenticeship success rates and reducing early drop-outs.
• Post-Trade & Specialist Upskilling
  Including solar, ASP Level 2, data and communications, testing and compliance — ensuring licensed electricians can adapt to rapidly changing industry demands.
• Employer Support & Workforce Planning
  NECA works directly with contractors to forecast workforce needs, manage apprentice placements, and ensure long-term labour sustainability.

These programs are not theoretical. They are built in partnership with industry, aligned with regulatory requirements, and continuously updated to reflect emerging technologies and workplace standards.

Supporting the Clean-Energy Transition

Australia’s shift toward renewable energy, battery storage, electric vehicles, and smart infrastructure will require tens of thousands of additional skilled electrical workers. This transition cannot occur without a workforce that is properly trained, licensed, and job-ready.

NECA’s training pathways are directly aligned to these future skill needs. By embedding renewable energy awareness, data systems, and evolving compliance standards into our programs today, we are ensuring tomorrow’s electricians are prepared for the industries of the future — not the past.

A Call to Industry, Government and Future Apprentices

Solving the electrician shortage requires a coordinated effort across industry, government, and education. NECA continues to advocate for:

• Stronger support for apprentices and employers
• Long-term funding certainty for high-quality vocational training
• Workforce planning that aligns with national infrastructure and energy policy
• Recognition of the electrical trade as a cornerstone of Australia’s economic future

For young people considering a trade career, there has never been a better time to become an electrician. With strong wages, lifelong career progression, and the chance to play a critical role in Australia’s energy future, the electrical industry offers real opportunity — and NECA is here to support every step of that journey.

The NECA Commitment

At NECA, we are not just responding to the workforce shortage — we are actively building the solution. Through apprenticeships, training, employer partnerships and policy advocacy, we are strengthening the future of Australia’s electrical industry from the ground up.

Because without skilled electricians, Australia cannot build, power, or connect its future.