Luceco Group partners with SELECT for £18k apprenticeship funding

Luceco Group, a designer and manufacturer of residential and commercial electrification products and systems, has partnered with Scottish construction trade association SELECT to launch a new £18,000 apprenticeship funding initiative  The Powering Potential scheme saw three SELECT member firms receive grants to help support the cost of employing a first-year electrical installation apprentice. Announced at the SELECT President’s Lunch on in September, the initiative responds to growing concerns around the cost of apprentice recruitment and training. A recent SELECT survey found that high wage costs and low levels of employer funding are among the biggest barriers businesses face when recruiting apprentices. The inaugural recipients, representing the east, west and north of Scotland, are: V C Electrical, Gullane, supporting apprentice Reece Michie; T Walsh Contracts Ltd, Ayr, supporting apprentice Thomas Shirkie; and A B Electrical Scotland Ltd, Aboyne, supporting apprentice Ritchie Pirie. Each company received its funding at The Balmoral in Edinburgh from SELECT President Darren Crockett and Ian Hunter, UK Trade Sales Director at Luceco. The apprentices will also receive a toolkit, workwear and a selection of electrical products supplied by Luceco. Hunter says: “As someone who started my own career as an apprentice, I know first-hand the opportunities that apprenticeship training can create. “Luceco is proud to support this initiative because we recognise the pressures many employers face when investing in new talent. Supporting apprentices is an investment in the future of our industry and a way of giving something back to the contractors who support our business every day." The three apprentices will also be invited to visit Luceco's headquarters in Telford, giving them an opportunity to learn more about the wider electrical industry and gain first-hand insight into manufacturing, product development and the electrical supply chain. V C apprentice Reece Michie adds: “I am looking forward to gaining practical experience on site, learning from qualified electricians, developing new skills and working towards becoming a fully qualified electrician.” For more from Luceco, click here, and for more from SELECT, click here.

Thorn Lighting cuts environmental impact of new Carlisle road

A new lighting scheme on the £259.4 million Southern Link Road in Carlisle is using changing light levels and colour temperatures to reduce energy use and limit the impact of artificial light on the environment Thorn Lighting, a global supplier of outdoor and indoor luminaires and integrated controls, has supplied 379 R2L2 road luminaires with its NightTune technology for the 8km stretch, which connects Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 at Newby West. The scheme was designed to meet the lighting requirements of a major new highway while taking into account the route’s rural setting and the needs of nocturnal wildlife. Rather than operating at a fixed colour temperature throughout the night, the NightTune system automatically adjusts both the intensity and colour temperature of the lighting according to the time. From dusk until 9pm, the luminaires operate at 2700K and 100% output. Between 9pm and midnight, output falls to 50% while the colour temperature drops to 2400K. From midnight until 5am, the lighting moves to 2200K before gradually returning to 2700K and full output ahead of dawn. According to Thorn, reducing light output and shifting towards warmer colour temperatures can reduce the amount of shorter-wavelength blue light introduced into the nocturnal environment. The approach was specified by Cumberland Council, which wanted to minimise the impact of artificial light on the surrounding landscape and ecology without compromising highway safety. 'Ecology was part of the brief from the start' Craig Lensky, Key Account Manager, Outdoor Lighting at Thorn Lighting, says: “What makes this project particularly interesting is that ecology wasn't treated as something to consider once the road lighting had been designed. It was part of the lighting brief from the beginning. We had to provide the right light for people using a major new road but also think very carefully about what that light was doing beyond it and throughout the night.” The project required Thorn to develop several customised optical variants of its R2L2 platform to achieve the required road lighting levels across the changing colour-temperature range. The installation also uses zero-tilt luminaires, while R2L2 is independently DarkSky Approved at colour temperatures of 3000K and below when installed within the relevant approval conditions. Thorn says the NightTune approach can also deliver energy savings by reducing light levels during periods when traffic and pedestrian activity is lower. Its comparative spectral analysis found that, against a fixed 3000K dimmable solution using an equivalent dimming programme, a NightTune cycle produces an average blue peak 13% lower and overall low-wavelength output 18% lower. The Carlisle Southern Link Road opened to traffic in June 2026. Alongside the new carriageway, the project includes walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure, although part of the shared-use route across the Caldew Crossing has deliberately been left unlit for environmental reasons. For more from Thorn Lighting, click here.

New charging scheme targets rising costs for commercial EV fleets

Businesses operating electric vehicle (EV) fleets could cut public charging costs by up to 30% under a new scheme launched by Octopus Fleet The EV fleet management and charging platform's FleetBoost initiative will give commercial EV drivers access to discounted rates across participating charge point networks, with Octopus claiming potential savings of up to £730 per vehicle each year. The project has initially launched with MFG EV Power, IONITY and Be.EV, giving fleet drivers access to thousands of public charging points across the UK. Octopus says the network has also been designed to address charger accessibility, with analysis claiming 99% of UK areas covered by FleetBoost are within 14 miles of an eligible charge point. Matt Davies, Founder of Octopus Fleet, says: “We know that switching a fleet to electric is about much more than putting an EV on the road – businesses need charging to be affordable, reliable and easy for drivers to use, and we’re tackling this all in one go. “By bringing together some of the UK's biggest charging brands, we can help accelerate the transition to commercial EVs and slash the cost of public charging for businesses.” Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, adds: “For too long, public charging has felt like the wild west for fleets, with little control over the experience drivers get. "By joining FleetBoost alongside other trusted networks, we can give businesses the confidence to transition knowing their drivers have reliable, good-value public charging across the country – at a cost that can compete with, or even beat, petrol and diesel." For more from Octopus Fleet, click here.

Charity launches new bursary to help stimulate job market

National construction charity Band of Builders (BoB) has launched a new bursary scheme to provide the next generation of tradespeople with the tools, PPE and workwear needed to kickstart their careers The charity unveiled the BoB Bursary at its annual fundraising ball in Birmingham, with Leeds College of Building, Bedford College, and South Staffordshire College being selected to launch the scheme to existing students. BoB projects that students from more than 250 UK colleges could also benefit from the bursary. The new bursary comes amid the government's plan to train 40,000 construction learners through Construction Technical Excellence Colleges by 2029 as part of efforts to amass the skilled workforce needed to deliver 1.5 million new homes alongside major infrastructure projects. Eligible applicants to the BoB Bursary will be able to apply for support towards essential items including tools and equipment, PPE and workwear, as well as other items needed to support their training and development. 'Construction needs the next generation' The bursary is part of the charity’s Next Generation agenda, which aims to encourage more young people to consider construction and help develop the pipeline of skilled people in the industry. Band of Builders CEO Gavin Crane says: “Construction needs the next generation, but we cannot simply tell young people that this is a fantastic industry and then leave them to overcome the practical barriers of getting started on their own. “Through our work with colleges and learners, we’ve seen that the cost of tools, PPE and workwear can be a very real obstacle. For a young person at the beginning of their career, those costs can mean the difference between taking an opportunity and having to walk away from it. “If we are serious about tackling the skills shortage and bringing tens of thousands of new people into construction, we have to remove those barriers." For more from Band of Builders, click here.

SELECT honours former MD Wilson with Lifetime Achievement Award

Former SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson has been presented with the trade body’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of more than 40 years of service to the Scottish construction industry The award, sponsored by energy technology company Schneider Electric, was presented to the industry veteran by association President Darren Crockett at the 2026 SELECT President’s Lunch at The Balmoral in Edinburgh last month. Wilson retired in August after 12 years with SELECT. Presenting the award at the lunch, sponsored by Luceco Group, Crockett paid tribute to Wilson's longstanding commitment to the sector and his leadership during some of the industry’s most challenging periods. He says: “Alan has been a tireless advocate for our industry throughout an exceptional career spanning more than 40 years. His knowledge, integrity and leadership have earned him enormous respect not only across Scotland but throughout the wider construction sector. “His contribution during the COVID pandemic was particularly significant. At a time of unprecedented uncertainty, Alan brought organisations together to establish the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum, creating a single voice for the industry and ensuring contractors’ concerns were heard at the highest levels of government." Wilson adds: “I am genuinely honoured and humbled to receive this award. While my name may be on the trophy, it really reflects the support, commitment and hard work of the many colleagues, members, presidents and industry partners I have had the privilege to work alongside throughout my career. “The construction industry has given me tremendous opportunities and I have always believed in the importance of standing up for contractors, improving standards and ensuring our industry has a strong and respected voice. Seeing the sector come together during difficult times and continue to innovate and adapt has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career." For more from SELECT, click here.

Brits turn to tradespeople for help tackling rising energy costs

UK consumers are turning to tradespeople for advice on cutting their energy bills as rising prices continue to put pressure on household incomes New research from trade tool retailer Screwfix revealed that 91 per cent of tradespeople surveyed have dealt with a customer enquiry relating to an energy-saving product or solution over the last year. More than three quarters (76 per cent) of respondents said their customers seem more worried about their household energy bills now than they were last year. Nearly half (47 per cent) predict demand for energy-efficient products will be higher during the winter months ahead than in the previous year, with only 3 per cent thinking it will be lower. Despite a growing appetite for energy-saving improvements, the research also identified several barriers preventing households from acting, with more than four in ten (42 per cent) tradespeople identifying upfront cost as the biggest barrier to customers adopting energy-saving measures. Other factors holding consumers back include uncertainty over the level of savings that could be achieved (13 per cent) and a perceived lack of government support and incentives (12 per cent). However, the findings also demonstrate that consumers are actively seeking solutions. LED lighting, solar panels, smart thermostats/smart heating and loft insulation, were cited as the most enquired about solutions from the last 12 months. Max Britten, Managing Director at Screwfix, said: “Once again, the day-to-day experiences of the UK's tradespeople provide a valuable insight into how households are thinking about the energy efficiency challenge and the steps they are taking to address it. "They are at the forefront of helping homeowners understand the changes they can make to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use. We're committed to helping tradespeople get every job done quickly, affordably and right first time. That support matters more than ever as they help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce energy costs." For more from Screwfix, click here.

New guidance tackles hidden fire safety risk in cable management

BEAMA has published new guidance setting out best practice for the design, installation and inspection of cable management systems to help the electrical industry meet BS 7671 requirements around the prevention of premature cable collapse in the event of a fire Marshall-Tufflex, a UK manufacturer of cable management products, which contributed to the guidance through its involvement with the BEAMA Cable Management Technical Committee, has welcomed the publication and is encouraging contractors, specifiers and installers to consider its recommendations in future projects. Prevention of Premature Collapse: A Guide to the Design, Installation and Inspection of Cable Management Systems highlights the importance of adequately supporting wiring systems so they remain secure under fire conditions, reducing the risk of cables collapsing and creating hazards for firefighters and building occupants. It also provides guidance on design considerations, installation practices and inspection requirements to help ensure compliance with current regulations. "Preventing the premature collapse of wiring systems is a critical aspect of building and life safety. As buildings become more complex and electrification continues to increase, it is essential that designers and installers have access to clear, practical guidance that supports safe and compliant installations," says Martin Russell, Marshall-Tufflex Group Product and Technical Services Manager and BEAMA Chair of the Premature Collapse Working Group. To coincide with the launch of the guide, BEAMA released a podcast where Nick Hayler, Director of Member Services and Head of Building Electrical Systems and Russell discuss the importance of preventing premature collapse of wiring systems and the role that compliant cable management solutions play in protecting building occupants.  For more from Marshall-Tufflex, click here.

What's driving the mental health crisis among business owners?

Nearly all tradespeople who run their own businesses are struggling with stress or anxiety, according to new research published ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October The NOW Report 2026, produced by job management software firm Powered Now, found that 93 per cent of business owners and self-employed tradespeople feel stressed or anxious as a result of running their company, with 45 per cent experiencing the mental health problems regularly. The research found that admin and money concerns are the main causes, rather than the work itself. Tradespeople who handle their own admin spend an average of 5 hours 20 minutes a week on it, with 29 per cent setting aside more than seven hours for it. Nearly two thirds (62 per cent), meanwhile, complete admin tasks in the evenings and 43 per cent at weekends. More than a third (37 per cent) regularly do admin late at night or at weekends that they "wish they could avoid". More than half (55 per cent) believe they have "definitely or probably" lost a job because a quote went out too slowly. On average, tradespeople are owed £5,901 in unpaid invoices, and 26 per cent are owed more than £10,000. Two thirds (67 per cent) claimed to have had a customer deliberately delay payment, dispute an invoice unfairly or try to avoid paying. Half have been ignored by a customer after finishing a job, and 60 per cent have written off money because chasing it felt like too much hassle. The report also found that only 48 per cent of business owners surveyed had taken a week's holiday in the past year where they "fully switched off". Benjamin Dyer, CEO and co-founder of Powered Now, said: "Tradespeople aren't stressed about the work. They're stressed about everything around it. You finish on site, get home, and then the other shift starts: quotes, invoices and chasing money. We can't keep treating that as just part of being self-employed." Despite the pressure, 84 per cent of those surveyed would still recommend the trades as a career to a young person. Powered Now is encouraging tradespeople to check in on each other this week, and to point anyone who is struggling towards support. Samaritans can be reached free on 116 123 at any time, and the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity supports people working in the trades. For more from Powered Now, click here.

UK electrical manufacturers report sharp sales slowdown as four in 10 operate at 70% capacity or below

UK electrical manufacturers reported a sharp sales slowdown in Q2 2026, with the balance falling 19 points from +23 in Q1 to +4, according to BEAMA's latest Market Pulse.   Four in 10 (40.7%) manufacturers reported operating at 70% capacity or below, while average capacity utilisation fell from 75% to 73%, its joint-lowest post-pandemic level. Investment and hiring intentions nevertheless remained positive, indicating that manufacturers retain the capacity and appetite to grow if demand improves.  Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, says, “The growth we should be seeing from electrification is not reaching manufacturers. Businesses can produce more, but weak sales and unused capacity make it harder to invest with confidence.   “Construction is an immediate concern. The Construction Products Association forecasts a 3.3% fall in construction output this year, including a 10% fall in private housing and an 8% fall in private repair, maintenance and improvement. Together, these form a substantial market for the heat sector. Housebuilders have land, but planning and connection delays are still holding projects up. Warm Homes initiatives have yet to create the consumer demand the heat market needs.   “Manufacturers cannot invest on policy ambition alone. Government now needs to turn its electrification commitments into demand. That means addressing the imbalance between electricity and gas prices and giving consumers a proposition that works for them. With more certainty about future orders, businesses will be better placed to follow through on their investment and hiring plans.”   The sales balance has fallen for two consecutive quarters, from +29 in Q4 2025 to +4 in Q2 2026. Manufacturers of Heating & Ventilation products reported a sales balance of -22.2, following a neutral result in Q1. Building Electrical Systems manufacturers recorded a positive balance of +33.3.  Building Electrical Systems members reported slowdowns and cancelled projects across new-build construction and the repair, maintenance and improvement market. Business optimism among manufacturers supplying construction-linked markets remained negative, with Heating & Ventilation recording a balance of -25 and Building Electrical Systems -8.3.   Across BEAMA’s membership, business optimism improved from -28 in Q1 to -12 in Q2 but remained below every quarterly reading recorded in 2024 and 2025.  Nearly three in 10 (29.6%) manufacturers reported capacity utilisation of between 51% and 70%, while around one in 10 (11.1%) were operating at 50% or below. Only around one in 10 (11.1%) reported operating above 90% capacity. Existing capacity would allow manufacturers to respond if demand recovers. In the meantime, underuse can weaken returns on previous investment and make further expansion harder to justify.  Manufacturers still plan to invest despite weak sales and unused capacity. The balance expected to increase capital investment over the next 12 months rose from +47 in Q1 to +51 in Q2. Product improvement was the most frequently cited priority at 70%, followed by plant and equipment at 65% and e-business, including AI, at 57.9%.  Hiring intentions remained positive at +39, showing manufacturers continue to plan job growth despite weak sales and unused capacity. Members continue to report difficulty fulfilling their recruitment plans because of shortages of skilled engineers and high labour costs. The five-year investment balance slipped from +68 to +66 but remained positive.  Manufacturers also reported higher raw material costs and renewed supply-chain concerns. Copper was the most frequently cited material, followed by steel, brass, aluminium and PVC resin. While availability caused fewer problems than price, some respondents again reported difficulty sourcing chips, semiconductors and microprocessors.  Some members linked price increases to conflict in the Middle East and shipping disruptions. BEAMA also warned that new UK steel tariffs could add to costs for domestic product manufacturers. 

Electrical Industries Charity Supports Worker Facing Workplace Harassment and Coercive Control

The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) has highlighted the importance of confidential support and early intervention through the case of an industry professional who experienced workplace harassment and coercive control. Marie approached the charity in acute distress after experiencing ongoing harassment from a senior colleague following the breakdown of their personal relationship. The imbalance of power within the relationship had created a coercive dynamic that extended into the workplace. Following their separation, persistent harassment from her former partner created a hostile working environment, leaving Marie experiencing severe anxiety and emotional exhaustion. As her mental health deteriorated, Marie was signed off work on sick leave and began planning her resignation, placing her career and financial stability at risk. From her first conversation with the EIC, Marie received assurances that all support would remain strictly confidential, allowing her to discuss her experiences without fear of repercussions. Recognising the impact of the abuse, the charity arranged specialist face-to-face counselling with a therapist experienced in supporting survivors of abuse. Alongside this emotional support, the EIC worked with Marie to develop a practical plan for her future, helping her navigate a potential career transition and understand her options. Through specialist counselling and practical guidance, Marie gradually rebuilt her confidence, protected her employment rights and successfully transitioned into a healthier and more supportive working environment. Her experience demonstrates the serious impact that workplace harassment and coercive control can have on mental health, employment and financial security. It also highlights the importance of confidential assistance in helping individuals regain control of their lives. Anyone working within the electrical industry who is experiencing similar difficulties can contact the Electrical Industries Charity for support. For further information, contact the EIC Fundraising Team on 020 3696 1710 or email fundraising@electricalcharity.org.