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Forward
It is with pleasure that the Electrical Workers Registration Board presents its second annual report.
There have been three changes in membership of the Board over the past year. Mr Ray Barbara, Mr Max Moffatt and Mr Cyril Lynch completed their terms. The Board records its thanks and appreciation to them for their tremendous contribution and assistance in setting the procedures, policy and direction for the new entity. Mr John Churchill and Mr David Daniel, both of Auckland, were appointed early this year. The other Board members are Ian Daniell, Don Moffatt, Stuart Robb and Ross Talbot (Deputy Presiding Member).
The Board has a statutory obligation to ensure the competence of registered persons through regulation and control. The mission statement covers this: "To ensure that electrical workers carry out electrical work in a manner which maintains the safety of the public and themselves."
It is pleasing to note the increase in the number of registered persons with 29,553 registered and 16,000 with practising licences. The new computer system ensures a prompt response to practising licence renewals, the majority of which arrive at the same time. The credit card style with the same number as the registration has proved to be popular. An industry partner MM Cables provided plastic wallets for the cards.
Extensive consultation culminating in a report entitled Electrical Workers Registration Board Audit Strategy outlined ways of improving the audit strategy and managing the revenue over time so that the surpluses are controlled. The certificate of compliance sales and practising licence fees now fund the majority of the workings of the Board.
The Board has continued to examine administrative options to increase its efficiency and become more customer focused. Although Crown Entity status was investigated, no decision on change was reached. However, discussions have continued with the Ministry of Commerce and a Memorandum of Understanding has been drawn up along with the Board's Statement of Intent and Action Plan. The Ministry has decided to review its role in relation to a number of operational functions and the management of third party revenue. In this regard the Finance Act was altered to provide for the carry forward of third party revenue subject to the consent of the Ministers of Energy and Finance.
Not only this, but discussions have been held as recently as April this year with the Minister of Energy, the Honourable Doug Kidd, in regard to the surplus funds issue, audit scheme programme and possible lowering of licence fees.
The Memorandum of Understanding means that the Board, along with the Registrar, operates as a separate entity within the Ministry. Services are purchased from the Ministry within defined parameters and the Board is able to purchase and contract services outside the Ministry where appropriate. Joint industry partnerships for promotions and publications are possible. Over the past year freephone number 0800 661000 has been established and there is now a listing for the Board in the Wellington phone directory.
Communications with all industry sectors have greatly improved with our association with the magazine Electrolink which is issued free to all classes of registered workers. The magazine provides a medium for articles on a range of topics of general interest as well as up-to-date information from the Ministry and industry groups. The feedback has been positive.
A national promotional campaign in conjunction with industry partners PDL and MasterTrade assisted in educating the public as well as tradespeople in promoting safety and the new form of practising licence. "The power's with you" concept encourages the public to use only registered and licensed personnel and obtain certificates of compliance for electrical work they have carried out.
Industry groups as well as training providers have made presentations to the Board on several issues. Their support on working parties on matters such as the line mechanics training manual and teaching guidelines has been invaluable. The panel of examiners has worked well with the appropriate industry partner to establish quality examinations for registration. Legislative changes to the Regulations and Act are now underway and the Board is involved in the consultation process. Disciplinary actions from referrals from the Complaints Assessment Committees have been actioned and a meeting held to examine the complaints process to encourage greater efficiency and reduce delays.
The Board places on record its thanks to the Registrar John Sickels, the Board Secretary Olinka Ching, the Board staff and Ministry of Commerce officials within the Energy Inspection Group. This has been a year of continued change and challenge. The efforts of all to serve the people in the electrical industry are appreciated.
We look forward to the future with a spirit of co-operation with all those working for the electrical industry.
Elizabeth Hanan
Presiding Member
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