C-TEC to host free CPD event on lockdown and accessibility

Life safety systems manufacturer C-TEC has announced plans to host a free CPD event focusing on lockdown and accessibility Taking place at its manufacturing facility in Wigan on 4 November, the event is worth four hours of CPD points and will cover lockdown procedures, low-cost fire system upgrades and Equality Act compliance through the following seminars: •     An overview of Martyn’s Law (The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025): What you need to know, the solutions available and how to comply. •     Equality and Accessibility legislation in the UK, the solutions available and how to ensure you comply. •     How to upgrade an old fire system to a state-of-the-art addressable system capable of lockdown functionality, internet connectivity, powerful false alarm reduction and more. C-TEC event to provide 'practical guidance' The day will run from 10am to 4pm with registration starting at 9.30am. There will also be an opportunity in the afternoon for an optional factory tour of C-TEC’s facility (also worth one CPD hour). Said Andy Green, C-TEC’s Marketing Director, says: “If you’re responsible for the life safety or accessibility systems in your organisation or if you do work in the education, retail or entertainment sectors, this event is for you. "It will provide you with an understanding of the legislation, along with practical guidance on cost-effective ways to comply, often using existing equipment with relatively simple adaptations. The day will conclude with an optional Q&A session with our MD and standards expert, Andrew Foster. Demand is expected to be high so we would advise anyone who is interested to register as early as possible.” For more from C-TEC, click here.

Budget 'must target cost pressures' to stimulate trade sector

Trade Direct Insurance has urged the UK Government to reduce cost pressures and implement targeted relief to help tradespeople capitalise on surging business demand ahead of the Autumn Budget It comes after the trade insurance provider polled tradespeople to find out how their business has performed in 2026, as well as what the biggest pressures they face are. Patricia Gardiner, Trades Expert at Trade Direct Insurance, says that even though tradespeople are fulfilling increasing business demand, ongoing cost pressures are proving to be a significant barrier to growth. She adds: “Tradespeople are facing a huge amount of pressure at the moment. Soaring prices for materials and labour add tremendous cost pressures, while the high cost of living is putting some customers off from pursuing non-essential work. “Despite this, many tradies are actually busier than they were last year. A third (33%) of tradespeople told us that business is stronger year-on-year, compared to 32% who said it was weaker. What’s more, over three fifths (61%) of tradespeople said they considered themselves to be busy now, compared to only 15% who said business was quiet. “This highlights the resilient foundations of the sector, with tradespeople withstanding the current pressures, but not able to thrive." 'Reducing cost pressures will help tradies thrive', Gardiner urges ahead of Autumn Budget Gardiner believes cost pressures are "by far" the greatest challenge tradespeople are facing. Cost pressures were named as the biggest challenge by nearly half of respondents (48%), including fuel and running costs (25%) and rising material and equipment costs (23%). In comparison, only 4% named not having enough work as their biggest pressure. “This highlights an opportunity for the Budget to provide a boost to the trade sector. Business demand exists, and tradespeople are fulfilling it, but ongoing cost demands are proving to be challenging and are a significant barrier to growth," Gardiner continues. “Reducing these cost pressures, through targeted relief will help tradies to thrive, allowing them to invest in their businesses and take on more work. In an ideal world, reducing business rates, and offering VAT rebates on volatile construction materials and fuel for registered tradespeople, would help to reduce the financial burden of unavoidable expenses that tradespeople face. “More likely options, given the limited fiscal headroom that the government has, include possible changes to the tax-free personal allowance, an increase to the VAT threshold to £100,000, or reduction of fuel duty. Small changes in these areas could make a real difference for tradespeople, and help to reduce the pressure that they face in the current economic climate.” To read more from Trade Direct Insurance, click here.

Octopus Energy staff to be represented by UK's largest trade union

Octopus Energy and UNISON have sealed a landmark deal which will see the energy giant’s workers represented by the UK’s largest trade union The energy supplier says it spoke to several unions in recent months, and UNISON stood out for its "commitment to the energy transition" and the "creation of good, unionised green jobs". The agreement sets out how the two organisations will work together for the benefit of the Octopus team. Jon Paull, Chief Operating Officer, Octopus Energy, says, “We spoke to several unions over recent months and kept coming back to UNISON. We share the same goal: a clean energy future that brings bills down and creates good green jobs across the country – from office to field teams. “We’re proud of the place we’ve built. We’ve created over 12,000 green jobs in under a decade, we’re rated higher on Glassdoor than any other major UK energy supplier, and every employee is a shareholder." 'Our people are the reason Octopus works' He continues: “We’ve always said joining a union is a decision for our people, not for management – this deal puts that into practice. Our people are the reason Octopus works, and I look forward to building on those strong foundations with UNISON.” Andrea Egan, General Secretary, UNISON, adds, “UNISON brings workers together not only to win a fairer deal, but to drive the wider transformation of our society and economy. Nothing is more important in that respect than phasing out fossil fuels and replacing them with green energy. “Climate change threatens us all, but it also presents an opportunity to create millions of good, unionised green jobs. That’s why we’re delighted to announce this deal with Octopus. It’s good news for the company’s workers and for the future of green jobs in this country." To read more from Octopus Energy, click here.

Exclusive: 10 marketing tips for electrical contractors in 2026

Andrew Heppinstall, founder of marketing agency Unavoidable Marketing, shares ten practical ways electrical contractors can strengthen their online presence and attract new customers When ECN last ran marketing tips for trade businesses in 2022, most customers found an electrician through Google, a recommendation, or a directory listing. They still do. What has changed is how those channels work. More people now ask an AI assistant who to call, Google has overhauled its Local Services Ads, and the businesses doing best are the ones that own their online presence rather than renting it. Here are ten practical things any contractor or sole trader can do this year, most of them for little or no cost. 1. Treat your Google Business Profile as your shop front For most local searches, your business profile is the first thing a customer sees, often before your website. Choose electrician as your primary category, list the services you want more of, and set service areas you genuinely cover. Add real photos of your own work every month: a tidy consumer unit, an EV charger install, a finished rewire. Stock photos and empty profiles make customers scroll on. 2. Make your details identical everywhere Your business name, address and phone number should match exactly on your website, your business profile, your scheme listing, Companies House and any directories you use. AI assistants and search engines cross-check these sources. When they agree, the tools are more confident recommending you. When one listing has an old number or a slightly different name, that confidence drops. Set aside an hour to search for your business and fix anything out of date. 3. Ask every happy customer for a detailed review Reviews remain the strongest signal for both customers and AI tools, and detail matters as much as the star rating. Ask at the end of every job, while the customer is pleased, and send a direct link by text. Encourage them to mention the job and the area, for example "rewire in a three bed semi in Headingley", because that is the kind of detail people search for. Keep it honest. Since April 2025, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act has made fake reviews unlawful in the UK, and Google does not allow incentives for reviews. Reply to every review, good or bad. A calm, professional reply to a complaint often reassures future customers more than another five stars. 4. Own your website and your domain Lead platforms and directory profiles can bring in work, but you are renting that space. If the platform changes its prices or rules, your presence goes with it. A website on your own domain is an asset you keep and build on. It does not need to be fancy. It needs to load quickly on a phone, show your number with a tap-to-call button, list your registrations and insurance, and explain clearly what you do and where. 5. Write a page for each service you want more of One page that says "all electrical work undertaken" tells customers and search engines very little. Give each main service its own page: EICRs, consumer unit upgrades, EV charger installation, rewires, fault finding, and so on. On each page, answer the questions customers actually ask. What is involved? How long does it take? Will there be disruption? What certificate will I get? Plain, specific answers like these are exactly what AI assistants pick up and quote when someone asks for advice. 6. Put your credentials where customers make decisions Customers often cannot judge the quality of electrical work, so they judge the signals around it. If you are registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, show it on your website, your business profile and your quotes. Explain that you can self-certify notifiable work under Part P and that the customer will receive the right certificate, whether that is an Electrical Installation Certificate, a Minor Works Certificate or an EICR. Mention your public liability insurance too. These details win jobs against cheaper quotes. 7. Understand Local Services Ads before you spend Google's Local Services Ads, the listings at the very top of some searches where you pay per lead, have changed. There is now one Google Verified badge, the old money-back guarantee has gone, and Google no longer lets you dispute bad leads by hand. To get verified, expect to need a verified Business Profile, a VAT or Companies House number, public liability insurance, and any licence the law requires for your work. Because you can no longer claw back poor leads, set your service types and areas carefully so you only pay for work you want. Answer quickly and collect reviews, because responsiveness and reviews both help how often your listing is shown. 8. Answer fast, because a missed call is a lost job Most customers ring the next electrician on the list if nobody picks up. If you are on a job and cannot answer, have a clear voicemail and make sure someone, or something, texts the caller back within minutes to say when you will ring. It sounds basic, but speed of response is one of the biggest differences between contractors who are busy and those who say the phone has gone quiet. 9. Keep in touch with past customers Repeat and referral work is the cheapest work you will ever win. Keep a simple list of past customers and the work you did. Landlords in England need an electrical safety inspection at least every five years, so a reminder when an EICR is due is useful rather than salesy. The same goes for a follow-up after an EV charger install, or a note to customers who might want a consumer unit upgrade. Make sure you have permission to contact people and always give them an easy way to opt out. 10. Track where every job comes from Ask every new customer how they found you and write it down. Over a few months, you will see which channels actually pay, whether that is your business profile, your website, an ad, a directory or word of mouth. Then put more time and money into what works and stop paying for what does not. Without this, most marketing decisions are guesswork. The bottom line None of these tips needs a big budget. Most need a little time each week and some consistency. Get the basics right, own your presence online, and make it easy for both customers and the new AI tools to see that you are a reliable, qualified electrician who turns up and does the job properly. Andrew Heppinstall is the founder of Unavoidable Marketing

Finalists announced for the ECN Awards 2026

The finalists for the 2026 ECN Awards have been announced following extensive deliberation by a panel of expert judges The event, which takes place on 3 December at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry, will shine a spotlight on the very best in the electrical contracting industry. See the complete list of this year’s finalists below: Products Cable/Cable Management Product of the Year Amokabel Flexishield - Flexishield Rodent Repellent Metpro Group - Conlok® (Enhanced Range) Super Rod - QuikReel Max Cable Dispenser & Reel Saver WISKA UK Ltd - BRACE Contractor Kits   Circuit Protection Product of the Year Lewden Ltd - Type B HP RCBOs Live Electrical Distribution UK - Heat Aerosol Fire Extinguishing Device Live Electrical Distribution UK - SRN Dual Busbar Consumer Unit with no fly lead RCBO Luceco - BG B+ Heat Pump Protection Proteus Switchgear - Proteus Heat Pump Specific RCBO Sensata Technologies - Active + Passive Pyrofuse Shelly - Shelly PRO CB range Surge Protection Devices - Active LED Indication SPD range   EV Charging Product of the Year Charge-M8 & epark engineering - Charge-M8 EV Kube + epark engineering Multi-Post & Slip-On Barrier Luceco - Sync Energy EV Charger Ratio EV - io6 Street Ratio EV - io7 City Sensata Technologies - STEV Series High Voltage Contactors for Battery Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles Shelly - TopAC Portable EV charger 11kW EVE01-11R VCHRGD - VCHRGD Seven Pro waEV-charge - EV Smart Chargers - Powered by waEV-smart   Fire Safety Product of the Year Advanced - SmokeGo Live Electrical Distribution UK - Heat Aerosol Fire Extinguishing Device   HVAC Product of the Year Moss Technical Services Ltd - Motiv Sense3 Sensata Technologies - Low Thermal Drift Pressure Switch   Lighting Product of the Year Ansell Lighting - Prism Pro XM Aurora Lighting - Amari Floodlight BELL Lighting - Apex LED Battens DW Windsor - Sierra Solaflex Legrand - Green-i Luceco Group - 18V Inspection Light Range Moss Technical Services Ltd - Motiv Sense3 NVC Lighting UK - GREENLAND PRO P&A Projects - Astreo2 Shelly - Shelly Dimmer 0/1-10V PM Gen4 Thorn Lighting - Nella Bollard Zumtobel Lighting - CRAFT II plus SWP   Power (including Solar PV) Product of the Year Sensata Technologies - FaultBreakTM Contactor Shelly - Shelly EM Gen4   Security Product of the Year Ajax Systems - Wireless Grade 3 solution Shelly - Shelly Camera Shelly - Shelly Presence Gen4   Software/App of the Year  Ajax Systems - Ajax Pro Desktop (2025–2026 updates) Clear Way Studio - Tract Base Electric Miles - Electric Miles EICR PRO - EICR COMPLIANCE PORTAL  Monolith Compliance - Beacon My Safe Docs Ltd - My Safe Docs Napit - NAPIT FastTest Shelly - Shelly Smart Control Shocking Energy - JobWay RAMS   Sustainable Product of the Year Prefect Controls Limited - Irus Sensata Technologies - Compact A2L Multi-Refrigerant Leak Detection Module Sockits - USB socket with quick-connect cassette   Test Equipment Product of the Year Super Rod - Super Rod IR Link TIS - TIS 9000   Trade Tool of the Year Beech Innovations Limited - MeterBox Key Pro Luceco Lighting - 18V Inspection Light Range Metpro Group - Conlok® Torque Key Metpro Group - Steel Conduit Cutter Super Rod - QuikReel Max Cable Dispenser & Reel Saver Wiring Accessories Product of the Year Chump Tools Limited – CHUMPFixL Luceco Group - BG GridLite Sockits - Socket with quick-connect cassette   Projects EV Project of the Year Luceco - Triangle 45, Leeds Metcor Electrical - Powering Boldon: A Bold Solution for EV Charging   Lighting Project of the Year Inspire Audio Visual Ltd - Biba House York Luceco - 5 Journey Campus, Cambridge MDN UK Ltd - Grosvenor Square Gardens MDN UK Ltd - Oxford North Pensdown - 1 Waterfront Avenue – LED Lighting Installation Thorn Lighting - Powerleague Nottingham Arnold TRT Lighting - Haverfordwest Footbridge and Western Quayside Phase 2 Zumtobel and Thorn - Co-op Store Lighting Programme Zumtobel Lighting - Global Switch, London East   Sustainable Project of the Year Dimplex - Llanrumney CCHA Dimplex - Silvertown Plot 6 Pensdown - Centrica Lutterworth – PV & BESS Installation Prefect Controls Limited - Metal Works, Bristol TRT Lighting - Lincolnshire County Council LED Retrofit Programme ZLC energy - RJAH NHS Integrated Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Project   Training Apprentice of the Year James Thorpe - MDN UK Ltd Poppy Yates - MDN UK Ltd Raman Hassan Mustafa – ZLC Energy Training Provider/Initiative of the Year Advanced Aico BMS Electrical Training CEF Dimplex Hawkesworth In-Phase Training Ltd Marshall-Tufflex Napit NICEIC Shelly Ventilux Companies  Chain Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year (three stores or more) CHIL Electrical & Renewables City Plumbing Contractor of the Year (turnover under £5m) Goodridge Electrical Contractors Ltd HDM Solar (Wholesale) Ltd MDN UK Ltd Pensdown   Contractor of the Year (turnover over £5m) Brook and Mayo Limited Burgess Electrical Services Hawkesworth   Independent Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year Moss Technical Services Ltd NetXL Distribution Ltd   Manufacturer of the Year Advanced Ansell Lighting Aurora Lighting UK BELL Lighting Knightsbridge Luceco Marshall-Tufflex Metpro Group Ratio EV Red Arrow Electrical Distribution Ltd Selectric Shelly Surge Protection Test Rigs UK Ltd WAGO   Congratulations to all finalists. For further details on this year’s ECN Awards, along with details of how to book your tickets, click here. To read more about our judges who were involved in the selection process, click here.

Click Scolmore's decorative wiring accessories: delivering style, choice and consistency

As interior design trends continue to influence specification decisions across both residential and commercial projects, demand is growing for wiring accessories that combine outstanding aesthetics with dependable performance Today's contractors, developers and specifiers are looking for solutions that complement contemporary interiors while offering the quality and flexibility needed to meet project requirements. Wiring accessories manufacturer Click Scolmore's extensive decorative wiring accessories portfolio has been developed to meet these demands, providing a wide choice of styles, finishes and plate designs to suit virtually any interior scheme. A decorative solution for every project Whether the requirement is for a traditional metal plate, a sleek flat plate design or a modern screwless finish, Click offers a comprehensive selection of decorative wiring accessories that help create a coordinated look throughout a building. The range encompasses a variety of plate profiles and finishes, enabling customers to achieve the desired aesthetic across residential developments, hospitality venues, commercial offices, leisure facilities and high-end refurbishment projects. Alongside attractive aesthetics, every range has been designed with practicality and ease of installation in mind, providing contractors with dependable solutions that can be specified with confidence. Definity Complete: the ultimate screwless solution At the premium end of the decorative portfolio is Definity Complete, Click's stylish screwless wiring accessories range. Offering a clean, contemporary appearance, Definity Complete features a clip-on front plate design that conceals fixing screws for a seamless finish. The range combines sophisticated styling with practical installation benefits and is available in a broad selection of modern finishes to suit a wide variety of interiors. The collection includes switches, sockets, multimedia solutions and a host of accessories, providing a comprehensive solution for projects where appearance is a key consideration. Define: contemporary flat plate styling For customers seeking a slim, minimalist appearance, the Define range delivers a refined flat plate aesthetic that has become increasingly popular in modern properties. Characterised by its ultra-slim profile and clean lines, Define offers an elegant solution for contemporary interiors where attention to detail is paramount. The range provides all the functionality expected from a modern wiring accessories collection while enhancing the overall visual appeal of a room. Further enhancing its appeal, Click has recently expanded the Define range with the introduction of Matt Bronze and Matt Black finishes across the complete collection. These additions reflect current interior design trends and provide installers and specifiers with even greater choice when creating coordinated schemes. Popular metal plate solutions Completing the decorative offering are the highly successful Deco and Deco+ ranges, which continue to be specified across a broad spectrum of projects. Deco provides a robust and attractive metal plate solution, while Deco+ offers a screwless design option for customers seeking a cleaner, more contemporary appearance. Both ranges are available in a variety of popular finishes, allowing designers and contractors to select accessories that complement the wider décor. The availability of matching Matt Bronze and Matt Black options across multiple Click ranges ensures consistency throughout a project, regardless of the preferred plate style. Flexibility built in Many Click decorative wiring accessories are compatible with the company's versatile MiniGrid system, allowing customised switching arrangements to be created to meet specific project requirements. This flexibility makes the ranges suitable for a wide variety of applications, from simple residential installations through to more complex commercial environments where bespoke switching configurations may be required. Designed for modern interiors As the role of wiring accessories continues to evolve beyond simple functionality, aesthetics are becoming an increasingly important part of the specification process. With its extensive decorative portfolio, Click Scolmore offers contractors and specifiers a complete range of solutions that combine style, reliability and installation flexibility. From the premium screwless appeal of Definity Complete, to the sleek Define flat plate collection and the enduring popularity of Deco and Deco+, Click's decorative wiring accessories provide the choice needed to meet the latest interior design trends while delivering the quality and performance expected from one of the UK's leading wiring accessories brands. For more from Click Scolmore, click here. This article is sponsored by Click Scolmore.

Manufacturer reports surge in compliance queries from contractors

Safety, compliance and clear technical evidence are becoming increasingly important across the construction and cable containment sectors, as manufacturers come under greater pressure to demonstrate their products are fit for purpose The shift reflects the wider change in the industry since the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy, which claimed the lives of 72 people. The failures in building safety it exposed led to the Building Safety Act 2022, which introduced a three-stage process to make sure safety is considered throughout the design and construction of buildings. Metpro Group, a cable containment manufacturer, says that around 90% of its technical enquiries now focus on safety, compliance and the evidence needed to prove it. Contractors and specifiers are asking increasingly detailed questions on everything from fire resistance and earth continuity to structural loadings, IP ratings and environmental information. Paul Hopps, Specification Sales Director at Metpro, says, "The nature of the questions we receive has changed significantly. Customers are not simply asking whether a product is compliant; they want to understand why it is compliant and what evidence is available to demonstrate that. "That puts a much greater responsibility on manufacturers to have the right technical information readily available. Contractors need to be able to make informed decisions about the products they are specifying and installing, and they need confidence that there is evidence behind the claims being made. "The Grenfell tragedy was a significant point in the wider conversation around building safety. Since then, we have seen much greater focus on accountability across the supply chain, and on being able to demonstrate that the right products have been selected and used appropriately." Product performance in a fire has been a key focus since Grenfell, with the industry continually working to raise standards and protect workers, residents and tenants. This is reflected in the recent updates to the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, which came into effect in October 2026. Mike Holmes, Product and Development Manager at Metpro, says, "Around 90% of the technical questions we receive now come back to safety and, importantly, proving it. Customers want to know what standards a product meets, how it has been tested and whether there is documentation they can rely on. "Fire resistance is an increasingly important part of that conversation, and ultimately, our role is increasingly that of a technical partner. The product itself is only part of the solution, as customers also need the information and expertise to use it correctly and demonstrate that it is appropriate for the application."

Grid investment can unlock £58bn and 210k jobs, says Schneider

Investment in the UK's grid network could unlock £58bn for the UK economy and support more than 210,000 "high-quality jobs" according to the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan published today (20 October) Developed jointly by the Energy Networks Association (ENA) and BEAMA with government, Ofgem and industry, the plan sets out how £181bn of investment in the UK's electricity networks by 2035 can be turned into jobs, manufacturing and lasting economic value. A new growth partnership, overseen by an independent chair, has been established to drive delivery through action plans on supply chains and skills. David Hall, President UK & Ireland at global energy technology company, Schneider Electric, which contributed to the plan, says, "You cannot run tomorrow's economy on yesterday's wires. Electricity demand is expected to double by 2050, yet network constraints are already slowing investment and growth. "The Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan, developed jointly by supply chain companies, network operators, the Government, and Ofgem, provides a clear pathway to modernise the grid and unlock economic opportunity across the UK." He further stresses that delivery depends on supply chain confidence. "With long-term visibility of demand, British factories, including Schneider Electric's Leeds and Scarborough facilities, can invest in the manufacturing capacity and skills needed to build a more resilient grid, supporting innovation and high-quality jobs across the UK," he adds. "We need to build more capacity and make better use of the grid we already have. Digital twins can help target investment, while better network data and software-controlled automation can support more flexible, resilient operations." Yselkla Farmer, Chief Executive of BEAMA, adds, "Upgrading Britain's grid is one of the biggest infrastructure programmes of our time. The Sector Growth Plan sets out how we will deliver it, giving manufacturers and service providers confidence to invest in people and places." Hall concludes, "Grid capacity is economic capacity. By investing in our networks today, Britain can build a stronger economy and secure the benefits of electrification for decades to come." For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Only 55% of electrical pros always isolate safely, research finds

Only 55 per cent of electrical professionals always follow the safe isolation procedure in full before starting work, according to new research from test equipment specialists Martindale Electric A recent survey by the company found that 86% of respondents are very familiar with the procedure. The findings, based on a survey sent to electrical contracting professionals, were gathered to better understand real-world experiences of electrical safety, near misses and incident reporting across the industry every day. That gap between knowledge and actual behaviour on site was highlighted in the comments made by those surveyed. Four clear themes emerged: • Time and client pressure – including expectations to keep circuits energised, avoid disruption and complete jobs quickly. • Overconfidence and complacency – people assuming circuits are dead, believing they’re in control of the environment, or feeling the full process isn’t necessary every time. • Operational constraints – such as other trades needing power, essential systems that can’t easily be interrupted, poor circuit identification and the requirements of fault-finding. • Equipment, training and support – respondents highlighted the need for readily available lock-off/testing equipment, refresher training, sufficient time and backing from employers and clients. “This discrepancy between knowing the safe isolation procedure and following it every time is where accidents happen,” says Steve Dunning, Managing Director of Martindale Electric. “Implemented properly and consistently, safe isolation prevents injury and saves lives; however, done poorly it can expose individuals and organisations to serious risk. We all have to work smarter and safer by ensuring it is carried out correctly, consistently, and in line with the Electricity at Work Regulations.” Fraser Herd, Chair of the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) Workplace Group, adds, “This important research highlights a concerning gap between awareness and consistent practice, so ESR supports Martindale’s focus on understanding the barriers that prevent this essential safety process from being followed every time. "Safety must always be a priority when any electrical work is undertaken. We encourage workplace professionals to use these findings as a resource to further strengthen their knowledge of the safe isolation procedure.” The Martindale Electrical Safety in the Workplace Survey 2026 was conducted between June and July 2026 to gather original insight from professionals who work with or around electricity. More than 100,000 electrical professionals were invited to participate in the survey. For more from Martindale Electric, click here.

Inverness electrician Katie Munro crowned SJIB Apprentice of the Year

An apprentice electrician from the Scottish Highlands has been recognised for her "outstanding skill, dedication and professionalism" after being named Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) Apprentice of the Year 2026 Katie Munro, from Inverness, took home this year’s top title after impressing judges with her "exceptional technical ability, commitment to excellence and determination to succeed throughout her apprenticeship". The 25-year-old, who works for SELECT member firm Ross-Shire Engineering (RSE) Ltd, received her trophy from SJIB Chair Jock Simpson at a ceremony held in Edinburgh on 14 October. Katie was also presented with a £1,000 voucher as part of her prize, recognising her achievement in a highly competitive field of finalists. Catherine Gillon, Secretary of the SJIB and Director of Employment Relations at electrical trade association SELECT, says, “Every year, the SJIB Apprentice of the Year Awards showcase the exceptional talent being developed across Scotland’s electrical industry, and Katie is a truly deserving winner. “Throughout her apprenticeship, she has demonstrated outstanding technical competence, professionalism and commitment to continuous improvement. Achieving a Final Integrated Competence Assessment (FICA) score of 98.33% is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects the high standards she sets for herself in everything she does." Katie completed her apprenticeship with Inverness College UHI under the guidance of SECTT Training Officers Michael Campbell and Iain Lamont. She adds, “I am delighted to have won this award. Completing my apprenticeship has been very rewarding and I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received along the way. “It means a lot to be recognised by the SJIB, especially given the high standard of apprentices across the industry. I’d like to thank everyone at RSE, my lecturers at Inverness College UHI and my SECTT training officers for their encouragement and support throughout my apprenticeship." This year’s competition also saw Joe Boddie, 22, from Fochabers, and 21-year-old Lewis Hainey, from Auchterarder, named as finalists. Joe works for SELECT member firm McDonald & Munro Ltd and studied at Moray College UHI under Training Officers Mike Bruce and Craig Wallace, while Lewis works for SELECT member FES Ltd and trained at Forth Valley College’s Alloa campus under Training Officer Ryan Slessor. For more from SJIB, click here.