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Situation
of Electrical Industry in 1957
The
Registrar of Registered Electrical Contractors of the
Municipal Council 1957 shows that there were more than
600 electrical contractors engaged in government and
other public and private construction projects at that
time. The Electrical Department of Municipal Council
did not have a complete criteria on wiring and the safe
usage of electrical appliances then for people of the
industry to follow. That was why there were differences
of opinion on electrical installation and safe usage
between electrical inspectors of the Municipal Council
and the contractors, resulting in frequent controversies.
Leading members of the industry then thought that it
was time for electrical contractors to organise themselves.
Founding
Objectives and Founding Members
First,
the organisation could promote friendship and co-operation
among members of the industry. Second, the organisation
could hold dialogue with the authorities after having
obtained a consensus of opinion among the members, with
the aim of eliminating friction and promoting co-operation,
so that members could carry out their installation work
more efficiently. The eight founders of the Association
were Messrs. Tan Choon Suan, Kowk Siak Hong, Choo Kok
Jee, Choo Kay Tock, Koong Chuong, Tan Chee Keow, Wong
Man Seng and Woo Ah Cheng. Its application for registration
was approved in 1958 and it was formally known as Singapore
Electrical Contractors Association, members of which
were all electrical contractors.
First
Association premises.
After
its formation, the Association began to carry out its
activities and soon much progress was made. In such
circumstance members felt that it was necessary to purchase
premises of our own so that members would have a centre
for gathering and a permanent place for various kinds
of activities. With the joint effort of all the members,
the Association was able to raise an amount of more
than S$20,000 within two years after its formation.
And accordingly, the Association’s premises at 365D
Serangoon Road was purchased in 1960.
Change
of name to SETA
Following
the advance of the age, the popularisation of electrification
and Government’s implementation industrialisation, the
electrical industry made a rapid growth in the sixties.
Moreover, PUB had formulated certain rulings on electrical
materials, appliances and methods of installation to
further ensure safety.People engaged in the industry
- electrical appliance suppliers, electrical technicians,
manufacturers and contractors - are required to have
better co-ordination and higher specialised knowledge.
Accordingly the Association underwent a re-organisation
in 1968 by widening its limit of membership to include
electrical product wholesalers and manufacturers. The
Association then changed its English name to SINGAPORE
ELECTRICAL TRADES ASSOCIATION while retaining its Chinese
name which in fact includes every aspect of the electrical
industry. The change of its name in English enables
it to keep up more closely withts activities. In the
same year the Association in response to the Patriotic
Campaign urged members to donate to the Defence Fund
and raised more than S$27,000. With this it had played
its part in nation-building.
New
3 storey premises
The
added activities of the Association rendered the existing
premises inadequate and it was decided that he premises
be sold and replaced by the three-storeyed, , more spacious
and cosy premises which the Association bought in 1970.
Upgrading
of members professional standards
In
keeping with the need brought about by the progress
of society, the Association also made much contribution
in helping members upgrade their professional standard
and modernisation. At that time the Association has
set up a Technical Advisory Sub-Committee comprised
of two engineers from our members and three appointed
consulting engineers from the profession. An Electrical
Technician TrainingClass was held by the Sub-Committee
at Pek Kio Community Centre to help train employees
of members for obtaining N.T.C.3 Certificates with which
they could register with PUB as electricians and technicians.In
addition, it also helped those experienced wor kers
in electrical installation who were low in education
to gain registration as electricians.
Continued
involvement with regulators & the community
The
formation of the Sub-Committee was also intended to
help recommend solution of technical problem to members
in the course of work. Moreover, members of the Sub-Committee
had been appointed on behalf of the Association to the
various technical committees of PUB, SISIR, VITB etc.
This has served as a bridge between our Association
and the various related Government institutions. On
the one hand , the representatives submit the views
of our Association to the various committees and on
the other hand, they also convey to the Association
the back ground and reason on certain rulings and regulations
made by the related departments. In this way, they help
promote mutual understanding and co-ordinate the implementation
of the rulings. This important work undertaken by them
has served as a basis for the good relationship between
our Association and the many Government institutions.
Launch
of website
After
forty two years of the founding of our Association,
the Council Members decided that SETA should have a
website in line with the government policy, with this
SETA Website, we would be able to provide a better
services to our members as well as the public.
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