Pro-active marketing through the Association promotes the use of ECA Members to potential clients through:

•  Public awareness of the benefits of using an ECA(SA) member 
•  Improving the image of the Electrical Contractor as a specialist in this field 
•  Providing an industrial communication service by means of a commercial magazine (Vector) 
•  General advertising and promotion of ECA Members 
•  Use of the well-recognised ECA Logo on business stationery, vehicles and premises 
•  Informative website

Important information: 

THE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of South Africa (ECA(SA)) was established in 1950 to serve the interests of all employers in the Industry. To-day it has grown to over 3 300 members, which represents approximately 67% of all employers in the Industry. Of these firms 781 are black owned, and the emerging sector continues to grow at a rapid pace.

The ECA(SA) is the employer party on the National Bargaining Council for the Electrical Industry, and  negotiates with the party trade union the wages and other conditions of employment applicable employees in the  Industry. Such Council, apart from “policing” the Industry, also provides and administers pension and sick pay funds for all employees.

The Bargaining Council system, although not always popular, evens the playing field, thus ensuring that all legitimate contractors can fairly quote for work against competitors who could otherwise be paying far lower wages to their employees so that their labour costs are kept to a minimum. The Association also protects the  interests of members, and keeps them informed about all matters affecting the Industry through regular general meetings, circulars and its monthly magazine. The services include free advice on any issue concerning members’  businesses; assisting in obtaining outstanding payments from difficult clients; providing a full labour relations advisory service, which includes representing members in the CCMA and the Labour Court; and extensive contractual, technical and business advice. It also has a guarantee of works scheme whereby members’ customers are covered against defective workmanship for up to R15 000. Regular courses are run on subjects of interest to electrical contractors.  These include estimating and tendering, business administration, labour relations, and various technical courses. To ensure that members are provided with the best possible service, the ECA(SA) has offices in Johannesburg,  Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and East London.

Following a few very tough years, the Industry is currently enjoying a boom as a result of extensive developments taking place in both the construction and manufacturing industries. Currently it is said, although it is difficult to quantify, that the value of work taking place is in the region of R160 million. Growth in the construction sector, which includes electrical, for the first quarter of this year was 21,3%, the highest recorded since the first quarter of 1989. The major driver was non-residential construction, which included building activities at airports, site preparation for the 2010 soccer
world cup, and Gautrain. The most serious problem facing the Industry, despite statements to the contrary is the acute shortage of skills.

The average age of electricians in the Industry is 54, so it is absolutely essential that training takes
place to ensure that the Industry continues to function at an efficient level. Qualified electricians are extremely difficult to find to-day, and this is having an adverse affect on the running of contracts. We have recently carried out an exercise , based purely on the major contracts that have already commenced or are in the pipeline, and believe that some 7300 “new” electricians will be required within the next three years. The only way this mind boggling number can be met is
by ensuring that more employers take on learners and apprentices.

To achieve this, the ECA(SA) and the Energy SETA have entered into an agreement where employers who are not contributing to the Skills Development Fund will also  receive grants for training. With over 80% of electrical contractors falling into this category, the incentives will hopefully entice employers to become involved in the initiative and play their part in addressing the shortage of skills.
Hopefully these shortages will no hinder growth, but instead will be accepted as a challenge that will ensure the continued and healthy growth of the Industry.

CHRIS GREAGER
NATIONAL DIRECTOR: OPERATIONS