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Registrar's Review
Purchase of Administrative Services
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Commerce (the Ministry) expired on 30 June. During the year the independent analysis of the functions carried out by the Ministry underthe MOU was completed. The MOU will "roll-over" and be replaced by a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Registrar and the Ministry. The SLA will incorporate the results of the independent analysis agreed with the Ministry.
General Administration
- An independent review of the Board's administrative and information systems was conducted. The report was presented in April 1998 and is being considered by the Board and the Ministry.
- Identification cards were made available to qualified engineers and trainees. These cards provide an easy method of establishing that qualified engineers are permitted to carry out prescribed electrical work and trainees are entitled to assist under supervision.
Issue of either card is dependent on the person satisfying the training requirements of regulation 26 of the Electricity Regulations 1997.
- A consulting firm was engaged to facilitate the development of the Board's strategic plan. The main objective of the plan is to define the areas where the Board has an interest, identify the various groups of stakeholders and set priorities for the provision of services in the new financial year and the following three.
- A "Standing Orders and Policy" Manual was approved by the Board. This manual sets out the standing orders relating to how Board meetings are conducted and details policies for general administration and financial management, work performed outside of meetings; disciplinary procedures and hearings; conflict of interest; commercial transactions and tendering; managing and releasing information; private and public Board meetings; payment of fees, allowances and expenses; and the recognition of overseas qualifications and experience. Draft policies for delegations to and functions of the Registrar and recognition of Australian licences under the TransTasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 were also included. The manual is being printed at the time of writing and will be available to the public.
Review of Board Costs and User Charges
After extensive negotiation with the Ministry, the final report "Review of Board Costs and User Charges" was released and will provide information that will form the basis of on-going discussions and negotiations on the SLA. The report also provided information and policy advice on how the Board should structure its future fees and charges for the services it provides.
Consequently, a discussion paper relating to the review of the Board's fees and charges was released to industry through ElectroLink magazine. The paper included the proposed level of fees and charges and the methodology used in determining each fee and charge. Ministerial approval for the new fees and charges is expected for implementation from 1 July 1999.
Electrical Safety Certificates
The Board introduced Electrical Safety Certificates during the year. The certificates are complementary to Certificates of Compliance in that they are intended to be issued for all work not covered by those certificates. While participation in the scheme is voluntary, the intention is to ensure members of the public have access to a written assurance that any electrical work they have had carried out is safe. Certificates were mailed to Electrical Service Technicians who held a current practising licence. Certificates were also available to other registered workers on request.
Communications
The policy of holding Board meetings at venues around the country was continued. ElectroLink magazine was again the primary communication vehicle used by the Board in getting its message to electrical workers, and five magazines were provided to each registered worker. Work commenced on development of a web-site.
Publicity
A television campaign was commenced in June to complement a campaign to be called Electrical Safety Week proposed for July 1998.
The Board accepted invitations from the Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand (both nationally and regionally) and the Appliance and Electronic Industry Association to participate in industry shows. An invitation was also accepted to participate in the International Science Festival in Dunedin. The feedback received from these ventures was very encouraging and the Board will consider invitations to participate in these types of events again next year. An invitation has been accepted to participate in Electritech '99 to be held in Auckland in June 1999.
Legislation
- The Board conducted a review of the operation of the Electricity Act 1992, as required under section 158 of the Act. The report of that review was presented to the (then) Minister of Energy on 17 October 1997. The main recommendations were that public safety should remain the catalyst of future electricity legislation; the disciplinary process requires substantial review; more participation by the private sector and industry training organisations in the registration process; and continuation of employer licence and homeowner provisions. The recommendations were considered as part of the "Review of the Safety Regime for Electricity and Gas Work" conducted jointly by the Ministry of Commerce and the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour.
- A submission in response to the "Review of the Safety Regime for Electricity and Gas Work" was drafted. It is expected that this submission will be made in conjunction with the Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand, New Zealand Electrical Institute, Appliance and Electronic Industry Association, Electrotechnology Industry Training Organisation and the Electrical Safety Organisation Inc.
- The Board worked closely with the Ministry in negotiating and finalising amendments to the Electricity Regulations 1993 which subsequently became the 1997 version of the regulations. Amendments specific to the Board's operations included recognition of registered plumbers, gasfitters and plumber/gasfitters within the tradesperson provisions and amendments to the training and overseas qualifications schedules.
- The amendment to the Electricity Act 1992 was passed by Parliament. Amendments that affected the Board's operations included the requirement for the Registrar to notify the Complaints Assessment Committee of the outcome of a disciplinary hearing; and that practising licences will now expire on 30 June each year.
Competency of Electrical Workers
The competency of electrical workers through the practising licence system was progressed further with the drafting of a Code of Electrical Safety Practice. This document is still being developed with the assistance of the Office of the Chief Electrical Engineer and will be released for comment within the coming year.
Recognition of Overseas Qualifications
The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 was passed by Parliament. This will require the Board to operate a slightly different regime to that currently operated under the Electricity Act 1992 in respect to Australian electrical worker licences.
The "Recognition of Overseas Qualifications and Experience" Manual was also developed and approved. The manual codifies policy in respect to the recognition of overseas qualifications and experience and sets out the equivalence to New Zealand registration requirements of qualifications and licences from 51 countries. At the time of writing the manual is currently being printed and it will be distributed to Industry Training Organisations, Government departments and New Zealand Embassies and Consulates, It will also be for sale.
Industry Training Organisations
The relationship between the Board and the Electrotechnology Industry Training Organisation continued to develop and prosper during the year. Unit standards for the training of electricians were revised and the off-job elements were reviewed and agreed to by the Board. Re-negotiation of the Memorandum of Understanding was commenced with the aim of eventually removing the need for trainees to sit and pass national examinations.
Negotiations on a Memorandum of Understanding with the Electrical Supply Industry Training Organisation were commenced. It is expected that agreement will be reached on this and the unit standards developed in this area within the next year. Discussions were also held with the New Zealand Engineering, Food and Manufacturing Industry Training Organisation with a view to developing a Memorandum of Understanding.
The Board is very appreciative of the assistance, advice and co-operation received from the Industry Training Organisations, their Chief Executives and staff.
Disciplary Hearings
The Board conducted 24 hearings during the year that involved 22 registered persons. These included 19 electricians, 2 electrical inspectors and 1 line mechanic. This resulted in disciplinary action being taken in 11 cases. This action ranged from censure to the removal of a name from the register (de-registration) for five years. Details of the action taken (and proceedings of Complaints Assessment Committees) will be available in the summary published in the next financial year.
John Sickels
Registrar
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