focusinterview.
REG
LATTER E L E C T R I C A L For more than 35 years, Reg Latter Electrical has been working with Coffs Harbour domestic, commercial, industrial and rural clients. FOCUS sat down with Coffs Coast born and bred Reg Latter to find out more about the man behind the business.
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hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast? Well, my mother grew up in Coffs Harbour and Pop had the bread run with a horse and cart, so from a very young age we came to Coffs to see Nana and Pop and the rest of Mum’s family. Coming to live in Coffs was great; I attended Coffs Primary School for some time and also attended school in Port Macquarie. I met my future wife, Alison, at a New Year dance at the Civic Centre when I was 18. We married in 1970. Alison is a local, born in Dorrigo Hospital; the Ure twins from Coramba Road lived in a house that her father and mother built. Alison and Evelyn, with their sister, Audrey, and brother, George, were well known in the area, so it was inevitable that we came to live here in this great place. Where is your favourite spot in the local area? We live in Bonville and have done for about 35 years. We love Bonville and the whole Coffs area, and we would not want to live anywhere else. Our son, Adam, and daughter, Renae, with four fantastic grandchildren also live in the area. Has Coffs changed much since you have lived here? Yes, it has. In the early days after we were married, Alison worked at the phone exchange, and I worked for Grahams Retravision doing repairs for their customers. When we went shopping, Alison knew 99% of the town - and the other 1% were visitors. How long have you been in the electrical trade? I started as an Electrical Apprentice at 16; after Year 10 in the old days was when we started within the trades. With apprentice training now, there is so much more to the trade. Apprentices are encouraged to go on further with their schooling to finish Year 12, which helps them to achieve a better future
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e Knowledge is th t an rt po im most install thing required to al ic tr ec or repair el use equipment, beca d ul co u without it yo e us ca lly ia potent more damage to and the equipment property. ”
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in the ever evolving electrical industry. Where did you get your start? I started my trade training in Brisbane, where we were living, with a large company - E.L. Burley & Co. I was one of 12 applicants and they take three every year, so I was one of three first year apprentices. After completing my apprenticeship, I moved to work for Hover Appliance Repairs, as I had a mate working there. It was a challenging job, providing service to the south side of Brisbane, and Trevor - my mate - did the north side. Do you have any apprentices employed from the local area? We have many apprentices working for RLE, from their first year in the trade to young men finishing their fourth year. At this time we have ten indentured apprentices. Some will finish their trade apprenticeship this year, and there will be three new apprentices starting their first year in 2016. Has technology and innovation within the industry made the job easier and safer? Yes, new innovations in the equipment we use makes it easier to install and repair. When I started we had steel conduit to bend and fit to equipment; whereas now, we have PVC. The workers are made well aware of the dangers working in the trade and how to make it safer; they are asked to stop and think (do a Risk Assessment) before rushing into the job. What’s the most important skill an electrician requires? Knowledge of the trade and how to do the work with minimal risk. Knowledge is the most important thing required to install or repair electrical equipment, because without it you could potentially cause more damage to the equipment and property. What is it that you enjoy most about the
trade? The people I work with every day. I am now 67 and still love the trade. My son and daughter work alongside Alison and I in the business, with a great team of ladies in the office and tradies out in the field.The trade is very diverse. We do installations and repairs on domestic, commercial and industrial properties. We also operate Pacific Powerlines, installing substations, power poles and sub divisions. One of our most experienced tradesmen is retiring at the end of the year; Brian Towill has been with us for 28 years, providing great service, and we wish him all the best for his retirement and travels. Do you have any advice for someone who is considering a career as an electrician? To get a start in the electrical industry you need to be focused on where you are going. The TAFE component can be challenging; we do encourage our applicants to concentrate their studies in the direction best suited to the trade. It’s also important to find an opportunity to do work experience in the trade and by performing at a very high standard, it allows the applicant a chance to stand out to a prospective employer. Plans for the future ... I would like to stay involved within the industry on a smaller scale, do some more caravan trips and play some more golf. Renae and Adam have been with us for many years and have all the skills to keep the business going forward; perhaps one day my grandchildren may decide to become part of the business also. I have stayed with the trade for 51 years, enjoying its diversity, challenges and all the people I have worked with and customers I have met and helped over the years. Thanks Reg.