Category: Electricians

  • Career Pathway for Industrial Electricians at BevTech

    A Trade With Genuine Depth

    Industrial electrical work in food and beverage manufacturing is a different discipline to domestic or commercial electrical work. An industrial electrician on an FMCG production line is not just wiring switchboards, they are fault finding on programmable logic controllers, tuning variable speed drives, commissioning new equipment, and keeping a live production line running safely under pressure. At BevTech, a family owned engineering business based in Richlands, Queensland, this trade has been built into a genuine career path rather than a static job. With over 25 years of experience specialising in the FMCG and beverage manufacturing sectors, BevTech has developed a structured route for electricians to grow from apprentice through to senior control systems specialist.

    Starting Out: Apprenticeship and Trade Qualification

    The foundation of an industrial electrical career is a standard four year electrical apprenticeship, combining a Certificate III in Electrotechnology with on the job training. What differs at a business like BevTech is the environment apprentices are exposed to from an early stage. Rather than being limited to general maintenance tasks, apprentices work alongside licensed electricians and control systems engineers on live production line projects, including PLC controlled equipment, motor control centres, and automated packaging machinery. This early exposure to industrial control systems, rather than purely domestic switchboard work, gives apprentices a significant head start once they are fully qualified.

    Once licensed, a new industrial electrician typically spends time consolidating core skills: safe isolation procedures, motor and drive fault finding, cabling standards for harsh food and beverage environments, and basic programmable logic controller navigation. This period is about building the reliable fundamentals that everything else in an industrial electrical career is built upon.

    Specialising in Industrial Control Systems

    The next stage of the pathway is where an industrial electrician starts to separate from a general trade electrician. BevTech specialises in Allen Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms, and electricians who show aptitude are given the opportunity to move into control systems work: PLC and HMI programming, drive configuration, and automation integration. This typically involves structured internal mentoring alongside the company’s control system engineers, supported where useful by manufacturer specific training courses from Rockwell Automation and Siemens.

    Electricians moving into this specialisation start with modifying existing programmes and troubleshooting logic faults, before progressing to writing new control logic for automation projects. Over time, this builds toward independently scoping, programming, and commissioning full automation upgrades, of the kind BevTech regularly delivers for glycol refrigeration control, hot water rinse and clean in place systems, and bottling and canning line integration.

    Functional Safety as a Specialist Track

    A distinctive part of BevTech’s career structure is the pathway into functional safety engineering. BevTech maintains TÜV certified functional safety engineering capability in house, which is a genuinely specialist skill set covering risk assessment, safety integrity level determination, and the design and validation of safety related control systems to standards such as AS/NZS 60204 and AS 4024. For electricians with strong analytical skills and an interest in compliance and risk, this represents a distinct senior career track, separate from but complementary to general controls work, and one that is increasingly in demand as FMCG plants face growing scrutiny of machine safety compliance.

    A Typical Week on an FMCG Production Site

    No two weeks look the same in this trade, which is part of its appeal. An industrial electrician at BevTech might spend a morning fault finding a fault on a canning line seamer, move to programming changes on a filler HMI in the afternoon, and be called out overnight as part of BevTech’s 24/7 electrical coverage roster to respond to a breakdown on a client’s production floor. Other weeks are dominated by planned project work: pulling cable and terminating control panels for a new automation installation, or supporting a scheduled shutdown where multiple trades are coordinating tight timelines to get a line back into production.

    This variety is a genuine drawcard for tradespeople who want more than repetitive maintenance work. It also builds a breadth of practical experience that is difficult to gain in a narrower commercial or residential electrical career.

    Career Progression Beyond the Tools

    For electricians who want to move beyond hands on work over time, BevTech’s structure supports progression into team leadership, project coordination, and senior control systems engineering roles. Because BevTech is a family owned business with an in house machine shop and combined mechanical, electrical, and automation capability, senior electricians are often exposed to the commercial and project management side of engineering delivery earlier than they would be in a larger, more siloed organisation. This includes involvement in scoping client projects, coordinating with mechanical trades on turnkey deliveries, and building direct relationships with the manufacturing clients BevTech serves.

    Why a Family Owned Business Changes the Experience

    Being family owned and directly managed by its founding directors means BevTech’s electricians work closely with decision makers rather than navigating multiple layers of corporate management. Mentoring tends to be direct and hands on, career progression conversations happen with the people who actually decide on promotions and specialisation opportunities, and there is a genuine, longstanding culture of investing in tradespeople rather than treating them as interchangeable labour. For an electrician who wants their career development to be visible and responsive rather than buried in policy, this structure matters.

    Recognition and Reward for Specialist Skills

    As electricians progress through this pathway, their earning potential grows in step with their specialisation, reflecting the genuine scarcity of skills such as PLC programming across two major platforms, or TÜV certified functional safety engineering. This is a straightforward economic reality: businesses across the FMCG sector are competing for a limited pool of tradespeople who can genuinely work confidently on Allen Bradley and Siemens control systems, and those who build this depth of skill are rewarded accordingly, both in remuneration and in the seniority of the projects they are trusted to lead.

    Recognition at BevTech is not limited to pay. Because the business is directly managed by its founding directors, strong performance and growing capability are visible and acknowledged in a way that can be harder to achieve in a larger organisation with multiple layers of management between a tradesperson and the people making decisions about their career.

    Support Structures for New Starters

    Moving from a standard commercial or residential electrical background into industrial FMCG work, or starting an apprenticeship in this environment for the first time, can feel daunting given the complexity of the equipment involved. BevTech addresses this through structured buddying with experienced tradespeople during the early months on site, gradual exposure to increasingly complex fault finding and programming tasks rather than being placed on the most difficult jobs immediately, and open access to senior engineers and functional safety specialists when a new starter needs guidance on an unfamiliar system. This support structure reflects a broader recognition that strong technical capability takes time to build properly, and that rushing a new starter into complex, safety critical work before they are ready serves nobody well.

    Starting Your Career With BevTech

    Whether you are considering an apprenticeship, currently qualified and looking to specialise in industrial control systems, or an experienced electrician wanting to move into functional safety or automation project work, BevTech offers a genuine long term pathway within the FMCG and beverage manufacturing sector. To find out more about current opportunities, get in touch with the BevTech team at 25 Silvio St, Richlands QLD 4077, or contact admin@bevtech.com.au.

  • Safety Protocols for Electricians: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Engineering Companies

    Safety Protocols for Electricians: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Engineering Companies

    In the demanding and risk-prone field of electrical engineering, safety cannot be overstated. Electricians face a variety of hazards ranging from electric shocks to falls, each carrying potential for significant injury or even fatality. For Australian engineering companies, adhering to stringent safety protocols not only ensures compliance with national safety standards but also protects their workforce and minimizes operational disruptions. This article explores the essential safety protocols for electricians, tailored for the Australian context.

    Understanding Electrical Hazards

    The first step in mitigating risks is understanding the dangers inherent in electrical work:

    • Electric Shock and Electrocution:

      Direct contact with live wires or components is the most severe risk, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.

    • Arc Flashes and Blasts:

      These occur when an electrical discharge produces intense, rapid bursts of heat and light, causing burns and other injuries.

    • Fire and Explosions:

      Faulty equipment or wiring can ignite, leading to fires or explosions.

    • Falls and Physical Injuries:

      Working from heights or in confined spaces can result in falls or other physical injuries.

    Regulatory Framework

    Australia’s approach to workplace safety is governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, which mandates rigorous safety standards and practices. Additionally, the Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3000:2018), also known as the Wiring Rules, provide specific guidelines that electricians must follow.

    1. Comprehensive Training Programs

    Training is the foundation of safety in electrical work. Effective training programs for electricians should cover:

    • Technical Skills:

      Understanding of Australian electrical standards, proper handling of tools, and techniques for safe electrical work.

    • Safety and Emergency Procedures:

      Detailed training on risk assessment, emergency response, and first aid, including CPR.

    • Continual Education: Regular update courses to keep skills sharp and knowledge current in compliance with new regulations.

    2. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    The right PPE can be the difference between a minor incident and a serious injury. Essential items include:

    • Insulating Gloves:

      Protect against electric shocks.

    • Flame-Resistant Clothing:

      Shields against arcs and fires.

    • Safety Glasses and Face Shields:

      Prevent eye injuries from sparks and debris.

    • Hard Hats:

      Protect against head injuries from falls or accidental strikes.

    • Safety Footwear:

      Insulated, non-conductive boots provide protection from electrical hazards and slips.

    3. Implementing Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Systems

    LOTO procedures are critical to ensure that electrical systems are properly shut down and cannot be restarted before the completion of maintenance or repair work:

    • Energy Isolation:

      Identify and isolate all energy sources before work begins.

    • Lockout Devices:

      Use locks to ensure that the isolated energy sources cannot be activated.

    • Tagout Devices:

      Attach tags to alert other workers that the equipment is under maintenance.

    4. Regular Maintenance and Inspections

    Preventative maintenance is vital for electrical safety:

    • Scheduled Inspections:

      Regular checks to ensure all electrical tools and equipment are in good working condition.

    • Preventative Maintenance:

      Routine servicing of equipment to prevent faults from developing.

    • Compliance Checks:

      Ensure all installations and repairs meet Australian Standards.

    5. Safe Work Practices

    Promoting safe work practices involves establishing clear, practical procedures and ensuring they are followed:

    • Risk Assessments:

      Conduct detailed risk assessments before undertaking any electrical work.

    • Permit to Work Systems:

      Use permits for tasks that present higher levels of risk.

    • Buddy System:

      Encourage working in pairs, especially in potentially hazardous situations.

    6. Emergency Procedures and First Aid

    Having clear and practiced emergency procedures can significantly reduce the severity of injuries when accidents occur:

    • Emergency Plans:

      Develop and communicate plans for different types of emergencies, including electrical injuries and fires.

    • First Aid Kits:

      Maintain well-stocked first aid kits accessible throughout work areas.

    • Training:

      Regular first aid training for all employees.

    7. Fostering a Culture of Safety

    The most effective safety measures are supported by a strong safety culture:

    • Safety Meetings:

      Regular meetings to discuss safety issues and improvements.

    • Safety Audits:

      Frequent audits to ensure practices and procedures are up to date and effective.

    • Feedback Mechanisms:

      Systems that allow workers to report safety concerns anonymously.

    Conclusion

    For Australian engineering companies, the well-being of electricians is paramount. Implementing robust safety protocols not only complies with legal requirements but also fosters a workplace where safety is prioritized. Through ongoing training, diligent practice, and a commitment to a culture of safety, these firms can protect their employees and ensure their operations run smoothly and safely.