Sparkies get mental health charge amid lockdown

Electronics manufacturer Clipsal has launched a series of support initiatives for Victorian tradespeople amid the extended state-wide lockdown. The series began in late August 2020 and will conclude by the end of October 2020, with more than 500 Victorian electricians having benefitted from the series to date. Ranging from workplace mental health management to professional training, the initiatives aim to support electricians and pave the way for a robust recovery for the broader industry.

Chris Kerr, Vice President at Schneider Electric — Clipsal Australia, acknowledged the struggles of the Victorian community bearing the brunt of the second wave of coronavirus (COVID-19). “As a witness to the vital role electricians play in making our cities bright and our lives switched on, the team at Clipsal are committed to supporting our partners during this challenging period,” Kerr said. “We believe material assistance in the way of upskilling and maintaining good mental health can foster a speedy rebound for the industry as soon as the restrictions are eased.”

The series features two initiatives: the Club Clipsal Assure program and C-Bus training for home automation systems. Available to all Club Clipsal members, the Club Clipsal Assure program commenced in late August 2020 and provides electricians with guidance on maintaining good mental health, as well as access to counselling sessions and other coaching. The C-Bus Training program is a self-paced course designed to enhance electricians’ knowledge of C-Bus products and their understanding of commercial and residential automation. The course covers different types of hardware, practical solutions and programming. Course participants will complete a sequence of six e-learning modules, with free access to Clipsal’s Learning Platform for the first four weeks. To date, Clipsal has provided more than $300,000 worth of free training, with more than 500 electricians taking part in the program.

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