THE changing face of the electrical trades and the continued strength of some of the region's largest companies has "sparked" an enrolment boom at TAFE NSW in Leeton.
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It comes as the latest industry figures, released by National Industry Insights, revealed the Australian electrotechnology industry generated more than $85 billion annually and employed about 340,000 people.
TAFE NSW Leeton electrical teacher Rod Chant said an increasing reliance on technology in the irrigation industry, coupled with the expansions of significant local employers like Casella Wines and Baiada, meant the demand for "sparkies" was surging.
"It's such an exciting time to be an electrician and it's a gateway to a lucrative career where you can work anywhere in the world," he said.
"It's common for a qualified electrician to be earning six figures.
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"It's an industry where you can get almost guaranteed employment and I have organisations ringing me regularly asking if I know of a good apprentice or qualified electrician."
Mr Chant said the steady rise in the region of wine giants Casella, De Bortoli, McWilliam's and others was driving demand, while poultry processor Baiada, which processes 1.2 million chickens a week locally, and companies like Summertime Juice and Flavourtech were also employing electricians.
"The increasing automation of the irrigation industry is also a huge factor," he said.
"There are so many electricians employed locally to wire up and look after pumps and irrigation systems.
"Things like solar and communications are also now part of the job."
TAFE NSW Leeton student and electrical apprentice Ewan Morriss, 21, experienced a taste of the trade when he did a TVET course at TAFE NSW while in year 11.
He has since gone on to secure an apprenticeship in Griffith and was confident of a long career in the industry.
"It's always appealed to me and can be really satisfying when you finish a job," he said.
"You're literally putting light in people's lives.
"The teaching ... is a great mix between theory and practical."
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