Unqualified electricians continue to pose risks, SELECT says

Unqualified electricians in Scotland pose a significant threat to public safety, the head of Scotland’s largest construction trade association has warned. Alan Wilson, Managing Director of campaigning electrical trade body SELECT, voiced his concerns in a new podcast during which he also reinforced the urgent need for the regulation of the electrical sector in the country. Speaking to architect Kenneth Martin on Hard Hat Talks, Alan said that as many as 13% of fires in the home could be traced back to poor electrical work, though accurate statistics were hard to come by. He also highlighted that although professions like doctors, nurses and even farriers and door staff were tightly regulated, there is no such requirement for electricians – meaning anyone can set themselves up as an apparent expert, risking public safety. Alan noted, “These kind of people tend to be the kind who will turn up at your house in a van that says ‘Plumber, Electrician, Decorator, Joiner, Roofer’ on the side – and then one person gets out. That's who they tend to be. “What they tend to do is small scale electrical work, where they'll maybe connect bits of wiring. If they're doing kitchen work, they'll maybe connect up lights or cookers. “But, as we all know, things move on and electrical installation is becoming ever more complex. The Wiring Regulations, which lay down the requirements for electricians, are currently being updated, with the latest version due to be issued next year. “So, every year that goes by, working practices change. Therefore, if the person maybe did have some kind of knowledge back in, say, the year 2000, then 25 years later, the landscape is completely different.” Kenneth Martin, Managing Director of Block Architects, added, “Frankly, it's surprising that in 2025, when we’re designing £50,000 kitchens and whole-house renewable systems, anyone can call themselves an electrician. As architects, we carry a huge burden of liability, but when the very safety of a family in their new home depends on unqualified work, that is a failure of the system. Alan's fight for regulation is not just about protecting a trade; it's about protecting the public.” Alan Wilson said that SELECT was continuing its push for regulation and that, while it had been successful in garnering cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament, it was now trying to embed the promise of regulation into party manifestos ahead of next year’s elections. Alan noted, “Whenever we speak to politicians and explain to them that it's an unregulated profession, they throw up their hands in horror and say, ‘Oh, we can't believe that. How has that not happened?’ And in turn WE throw our hands up and say, ‘Well make it happen – YOU have the power to do something.’ “The opportunity is there because we’re now looking at the ongoing electrification of society. It’s so important that the products put into our homes that we use on a day-to-day basis are installed safely by people who are properly trained and who know what they're doing.” Alan said that the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), the managing agent for electrical installation apprenticeships in Scotland, saw 19,000 people undertake its aptitude test between January and July this year. However, the number of apprentices taken on by firms in Scotland averages between 850 and 900 annually, partly because Alan said the smaller businesses who take on the majority of apprentices are not being given enough government support. He said, “I don’t think anyone who recruits an apprentice does so on a planned return on investment basis. Employers invest huge amounts of time and money when you consider everything that they put in, in terms of their on-the-job training, their time, paying for the time the students are at college, wages, holidays and so on.” Alan also used the podcast to stress that the construction industry is an enabling sector, which relies on clear, consistent policy direction from the government regarding initiatives like renewables. He said policy changes, or withdrawal of funding, make it impossible for micro-businesses to commit to vital, time-consuming training, such as a five-day course for battery storage. Both Alan and host Kenneth agreed that the sluggishness of the planning system is also a problem that sends ripples across the entire construction sector and that fixing planning would be the single most impactful action the government could take. The SELECT MD also said that the most important change needed in the industry is prompt payment and getting money flowing from large clients, and even domestic customers, to small businesses. Alan said this capital is what allows SMEs to pay staff, circulate money locally and, crucially, fund apprentice training, and that he supported a move toward trust accounts for retention money, rather than outright prohibition. Listen to new podcast here or watch here. For more from SELECT, click here.

CU Phosco unveils updated floodlight for high mast lighting

UK exterior lighting manufacturer CU Phosco has announced the latest update to its FL820 floodlight, designed for demanding high mast lighting applications across airports, ports, and sports facilities. CU Phosco says the enhanced FL820 builds on the performance of its LED floodlighting range, offering increased power, efficiency, and flexibility for large-scale area lighting projects. Key updates include: • Extended range optics, delivering improved light distribution and coverage • Onboard drivers for simplified installation and maintenance • Enhanced light output, with a 14% increase in performance • Higher power capacity, now available up to 1800W • Available in single, twin, or triple module configurations, powered by Chip Scale Package (CSP) LEDs An update of a classic The FL820 complies with ETL guidelines for White Light Emitting Diode Lighting Units and is eligible for the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme. It is also UL accredited, with an operating temperature range from -40°C to +50°C, aiming to ensure reliable performance in tough conditions. Paul Carter, Technical Manager at CU Phosco, comments, “CU Phosco has a long history of delivering high-performance lighting solutions for major infrastructure. “The updated FL820 demonstrates our commitment to continuous innovation, providing our clients with greater power, efficiency, and flexibility to meet the challenges of modern high mast lighting.” CU Phosco says that, as a member of the DALI Alliance Community, it continues to design with compatibility and control in mind, ensuring its floodlights integrate into advanced lighting networks. For more from CU Phosco, click here.

NAPIT highlights importance of Green Careers Week

This Green Careers Week, 3-8 November, NAPIT is exploring some of the careers that contribute to a greener future - not just the jobs viewed as ‘green’. A green career can be any job, role or occupation that contributes to preserving or restoring the environment. At NAPIT, there are many roles that make a positive impact on contributing to a greener future, and the company says its training department is key to upskilling the installers to drive the transition away from fossil fuels. NAPIT Training offers pathways to equip installers with the knowledge and skills needed to install and maintain low-carbon technologies, including heat pumps, batteries, electric vehicles, and Solar PV. So far this year, NAPIT has upskilled more than 1,300 candidates in low-carbon and renewable technologies. NAPIT reports that it has seen a growing interest in upskilling among NAPIT Members and installers, and believes that promoting government incentives such as the Heat Training Grant and Boiler Upgrade Scheme will help to deliver low-carbon technology installations in homes. NAPIT has delivered the Heat Training Grant to installers over the last three years and recently developed a partnership with Wolseley Renewables Centre. The NAPIT External Affairs department often provides feedback, ideas and concerns to Government Ministers, MPs, policy officials and key industry organisations through consultations and questions. These documents allow interested stakeholders to offer their views on everything from regulations to guidance documents. This creates a great opportunity for NAPIT to contribute written responses on key consultations that represent the interests of a greener future. NAPIT has responded to consultations such as: Building Support for the Energy Transition; Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Certification Requirements for Clean Heat Schemes; Retrofitting Homes for Net Zero; and Workforce Planning to Deliver Clean, Secure Energy. NAPIT Campaign Objectives include increasing popularity within renewable energy, driving EV charge-point standards forward and advocating for skilled installers to drive net zero targets. The Competent Person magazine, Watts Current Podcast, webinars, and trade exhibitions all provide a way of educating both consumers and installers on net zero. NAPIT says that its marketing team is key to driving the campaign objectives and influencing positive change by informing homeowners, landlords and tradespeople. NAPIT staff also work across sales, finance, IT, schemes and renewals to ensure our members are able to make the most of the opportunities provided from green careers. Sarah Lowe, NAPIT Finance & Operations Director, says, “We are proud to highlight some of the important work that our departments do for Green Careers Week 2025. “NAPIT is committed to contributing to a greener future and will continue to educate on the importance of upskilling, responding to relevant government consultations and promoting key information and benefits on the economic growth stemming from the transition to net zero and what it means to have a greener future.” For more from NAPIT, click here.

New Elucian power and lighting distribution boards

Three-phase power and lighting distribution boards are critical components in commercial, industrial, and large residential electrical systems. They provide a centralised point for power distribution, control, and protection of electrical circuits, including both lighting and power loads. Designed with the installer in mind, the Elucian power and lighting boards from Click Scolmore are engineered to deliver reliability, efficiency, and ease of installation for electrical contractors working across a range of projects. Whether upgrading an existing system or building from scratch, Elucian provides a dependable solution for modern electrical demands. Product details The boards are split into three sections: power, lighting, and accessories. Most distribution boards on the market don't allow isolation of the different compartments. If a board needs amending, it simply shuts off both power and lighting sections. However, the Elucian board allows a section of the board to be switched off while the other section is working, allowing for ease of maintenance without compromise. They feature a built-in energy meter for accurate tracking, allowing both power and lighting to be monitored separately on one energy meter rather than on two separate meters. This saves on cabling and space within the board. The boards are also supplied pre-installed as standard with type 1 and type 2 SPDs. This is for easy installation and to save time. There are 24 different combinations available: from an 8 Way (4 Power / 4 Lighting) 125A Vertical Consumer Unit, through to a 32 Way (20 Power / 12 Lighting) 125A Vertical Consumer Unit. They each feature quick release doors and are fitted with spring clips, making them quick and easy to remove. They also offer device alignment, with the boards maintaining device alignment when fully installed, to ensure a neat and organised appearance. To view the full Elucian consumer units and protective devices ranges, visit the company's website or download the Scolmore Group app. For more from Click Scolmore, click here.

LiGHT 25 to showcase explorations of light and perception

LiGHT 25 in London is set to bring together contractors, designers, specifiers, and architects to explore developments in lighting design, technology, and collaboration across the industry. Organisers say the event will feature more than 200 exhibitors, a programme of talks, and networking areas designed to encourage discussion around the role of light in the built environment. A new light installation Following the 'Intra-Spectrum' installation by artist Frankie Boyle at last year’s show, LiGHT 25 will feature a new light art centrepiece titled 'Re:Vision'. The work is a collaboration between Speirs Major Light Architecture and formalighting, and is described as an "immersive exploration of light and perception." According to the designers, Re:Vision examines how different species perceive colour and light using custom spectral profiles and adapted Ishihara colour blindness patterns. The installation is intended to prompt reflection on how artificial light influences both human and non-human experience. Speirs Major says, “We’ve always been fascinated by how each species experiences a completely different version of reality, despite sharing the same planet. "When you begin to understand this, you start to think about the impact we as lighting designers have on those experiences through artificial light. "This installation is intended to open minds – to start a conversation about designing not just for humans, but for the many other living beings that share our spaces.” The company explains that the work translates scientific research into a physical experience by creating environments inspired by the visual systems of various animals. Within these areas, visitors encounter colour charts that appear or disappear depending on the light spectrum. “It’s not about simulating another species’ vision, but about creating a spark, an opportunity to see differently, even for a moment,” continues Speirs Major. Formalighting’s lighting systems are said to play a central role in enabling the dynamic light shifts within the installation. “Formalighting have been fantastic collaborators,” Speirs Major notes. “Their technology allowed us to experiment and deliver light in new ways, pushing beyond traditional boundaries.” The project draws inspiration from philosopher Thomas Nagel’s essay, What Is It Like to Be a Bat?, which questions the limits of human perception. “Humans are the only species that truly needs artificial light,” the company continues. “Yet our use of light affects every other species. "Birds stay awake longer under urban lighting, nocturnal creatures lose darkness, and ecosystems are disrupted. This project asks us to think beyond ourselves.” According to Speirs Major, Re:Vision also connects to wider discussions about accessibility in design, stating, “Even within our own species, perception varies; ageing changes how we see, and those with colour blindness experience the world differently. "Re:Vision is a reminder that design must account for those differences, cultivating awareness and empathy along the way.” LiGHT 25 organisers say the installation will serve as one of the show’s key artistic features, aiming to encourage dialogue around the role of lighting in architecture and the environment.

Vent-Axia’s new Revive 7 smart fan

As Awaab’s Law comes into effect in England, British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia is urging social landlords to take proactive steps to improve poor indoor air quality (IAQ) and tackle damp and mould. Introduced following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, the law requires landlords to investigate and fix damp and mould issues within strict timeframes, ensuring faster repairs and safer homes. Acting early not only protects tenants’ health, but also helps landlords cut costly repairs, maintenance bills, and potential legal claims. With private registered providers of social housing spending a record £8.8 billion on repairs and maintenance in 2023/2024 and poor housing conditions costing the NHS £1.4 billion annually in treatment costs, these figures highlight the scale of the issue and the importance of prevention. Vent-Axia stresses that tackling damp and mould through effective ventilation is vital to create healthier, compliant homes and reduce future costs. A new ventilation solution To support landlords in meeting these new requirements, Vent-Axia has launched an industry first with its new Lo-Carbon Revive 7 Switchee-Enabled smart ventilation. Designed specifically for social housing, the new Lo-Carbon Revive 7 integrates Vent-Axia’s market-leading smart-enabled fan technology with Switchee’s in-home connectivity to deliver energy-efficient ventilation, real-time environmental insights, tamper-proof performance, and proactive communication between landlords and residents. Vent-Axia is the first UK ventilation company to provide remotely accessible fan data to housing providers. This is the first smart technology solution that not only identifies condensation and mould, but also actively helps to prevent them. “Awaab’s Law marks an important shift for landlords,” says Ashley Smith, Product Manager at Vent-Axia. “We are here to support landlords in providing proactive protection against condensation, damp, and mould. "Our Lo-Carbon Revive 7 already delivers energy-efficient ventilation with a datalogger to track fan usage, ensuring it is used as intended. Now, the Revive 7 Switchee-Enabled takes that capability further by providing real-time indoor air quality data to help landlords spot early warning signs of condensation, damp, and mould; improve compliance; and protect both housing and residents’ wellbeing. Not just a fan, Revive 7 offers intelligent protection for landlords’ residents, properties, and peace of mind.” The Lo-Carbon Revive 7 is a popular, energy-efficient, filter-less unitary fan offering high performance and near-silent operation. Designed to tackle condensation and mould, the Revive 7 already incorporates a sophisticated in-built data monitoring system; however, by integrating Switchee’s real-time data insights, landlords can now proactively manage properties and support residents in a completely new way. The Revive 7 Switchee-Enabled solution offers continuous, real-time monitoring of indoor air quality, while improving compliance, protecting housing stock, and enhancing tenant wellbeing. Providing instant insights into humidity, temperature, and fan usage, the Revive 7 Switchee-Enabled gives early detection of damp, mould, or poor air quality. This proactive approach delivers humidity trends across property portfolios, helping social housing providers target resources, identify at-risk homes, avoid unnecessary call-outs, and offer more tailored resident support. With direct messaging capabilities and localised temperature tracking, it also enhances communication with tenants, allowing landlords to provide environmental recommendations, such as turning heating on, without needing property access. This proactive approach saves money by preventing the escalating costs associated with damp, mould, and repairs. Designed for social housing Designed to meet the specific needs of the social housing sector, the popular Revive 7 offers high efficiency, near-silent operation, a slimmer profile, and great performance, exceeding the updated Part F of the Building Regulations. This gives social housing landlords confidence that the new Lo-Carbon Revive 7 can tackle the issues of condensation and mould while improving the efficiency of housing stock and comfort for residents. Its slimmer profile means the Revive 7 is even easier to install in a wider range of locations and is especially useful for window applications, since it avoids interference with window blinds, improving resident satisfaction. Offering flexible positioning, the new updated Revive 7 comes with the same IPX4 rating for wall and ceiling mounting. It is also available as a SELV model, boasting a new transformer which is more compact and around half the size and weight of previous units, making siting easier. A truly universal fan, the intelligent Lo-Carbon Revive 7 includes an adjustable trickle speed option, an interchangeable intermittent mode, and a smoother humidity boost transition. The new and improved Revive 7 also offers the option to adjust the trickle speed between 6-16l/s, with a boost to 18/l/s, 30l/s, and 60l/s. This is useful in properties with exceptionally high occupancy that would require a higher trickle speed to remove excess moisture from the air and provide good IAQ. The Revive 7’s mixed flow technology maximises air flow on trickle, avoiding unnecessary boosting, thus increasing resident acceptability. Similarly, Vent-Axia’s ambient response humidity sensor avoids nuisance tripping while protecting properties from damaging condensation and mould. Featuring Smart Sense intelligent technology, Revive 7 is quick to install with a clear alphanumeric LED display and a simple three-button menu for commissioning and data gathering. Smart Sense technology automatically adjusts display orientation for wall or ceiling mounting, saving time on site and reducing installation complications. The Revive is the only fan on the market with unique lock settings to prevent tampering. Revive 7’s Smart Sense also includes a datalogger, which tracks fan usage to ensure it is used as intended. Social housing landlords can then interrogate the fan on how many days it has been on humidity boost mode, pull cord boost mode, or trickle, helping them build a profile of resident activity and aiding them in investigating any humidity problems, allowing them to work with residents to ensure a healthy indoor environment. The display shows real-time data so landlords can reassure residents of the low-running costs. Plus, the Revive 7 is low maintenance since its market-leading Multi-Vortex technology does not require a filter, while the highly sculpted interior actively repels dust, avoiding clogging, thus helping to avoid callbacks. Revive 7 also boasts reliability backed by up to seven years’ warranty. For social housing landlords requiring further ventilation advice, visit Vent-Axia’s social housing hub. For further information on all products and services offered by Vent-Axia, telephone +44 (0)344 856 0590 or visit the company's website. For more from Vent-Axia, click here.

Spazio Plus: Designed for faster, smarter installs

When it comes to emergency lighting, Zemper appreciates that the types of fitting count for contractors. More fittings mean more time on site, more cost, and more disruption for clients. That’s where Zemper’s Spazio Plus stands out. Up to 30-metre spacings: The Spazio Plus delivers exceptional optical performance, achieving up to 30m spacings depending on ceiling height and conditions. This means fewer fittings are required to achieve full coverage - saving you time and reducing project costs. Installer-friendly by design: Spazio Plus can be both recessed or surface-mounted and comes supplied with two optical lenses as standard, covering open areas and corridors without the need for extra components. Features like pre-wiring, compact housings, and push-fit terminals make installation quick and straightforward. Long-lasting reliability: Using advanced LiFePo4 lithium battery technology, Spazio Plus offers long life and low total cost of ownership. Like the rest of the Zemper range, it’s backed by a six-year warranty - including batteries - giving contractors and clients complete confidence. Award-winning innovation: Recognised by the Lux Awards in the UK, where it was highly commended for its performance and installer-focused design, Spazio Plus has already proven its value in real-world projects across Europe. A product built for installers: Whether you’re fitting out a school, hospital, office, or industrial site, Spazio Plus helps you work smarter: fewer fittings, faster installs, and dependable performance when it matters most. Discover why contractors across the UK are choosing Zemper’s Spazio Plus for their emergency lighting projects. Find out more at Zemper's website. For more from Zemper, click here.

Zumtobel achieves fourth Ecovadis Gold

The Zumtobel Group, an Austrian lighting company specialising in indoor and outdoor lighting, has been awarded an EcoVadis gold medal for the fourth time in succession. The evaluation by the independent sustainability platform covers the headquarters in Dornbirn as well as all the globally operating lighting group's other locations worldwide. In an industry comparison, the Zumtobel Group now ranks among the top 1% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis. Green improvements Sebastian Gann, Sustainability Director at the Zumtobel Group, comments, “We see the renewed recognition with the gold medal for the entire Zumtobel Group as clear confirmation: a confirmation of our sustainability strategy with the measures implemented to date and the goals set, which the Sustainability Team is realising together with our specialist departments. "We greatly value the evaluation by independent third-party partners such as EcoVadis, as they emphasise our position as a trusted partner in terms of sustainability." In this year's evaluation by EcoVadis, the Zumtobel Group scored additional points in the areas of ethics as well as labour and human rights. Regarding its carbon management level, the Zumtobel Group was rated as a ‘leader’ by EcoVadis. For more from Zumtobel, click here.

Simpson & Partners to expand EV charger installer network

British EV charger brand Simpson & Partners is looking to expand its Trusted Installer Network, introducing new tools, content, and commercial opportunities to help independent installers grow their businesses. The enhanced programme includes a dedicated Installer Portal for quoting, ordering, and approvals, alongside a new ‘Trusted Installer’ accreditation badge and ready-to-post social media packs to help partners market their services locally. Installers joining the network also gain access to local leads, favourable trade pricing, and priority onboarding support, helping them tap into the growing demand for stylish, British-designed EV chargers. Supporting UK business David Simpson, Co-founder of Simpson & Partners, says, “We’ve built the Trusted Installer Network to do more than just supply boxes; it is about workmanship, pride, and profitability. “Our goal is to support independent installers and give them the tools, content, and confidence to win the right kind of work from local homeowners to multi-bay business sites.” New installers can now book a 15-minute set-up call with the Simpson & Partners team to confirm their local area, receive trade pricing, and - when required - access marketing materials (including the optional 'Dealer Event Starter Kit'). “Our partners are the face of our brand in local communities,” continues David. “By combining great British design, reliable technology, and a strong installer network, we’re setting a new standard for how EV charging should look and feel: built in Britain, supported locally.” Simpson & Partners' EV chargers are designed in Britain.

Ariston opens new training centre in Dublin

Ariston Group, a manufacturer of heating, cooling, and hot water systems, has expanded its range of services to installers and heating engineers by opening a new training centre in Dublin, Ireland. The training centre opened in partnership with Plumb-It - an Irish plumbing and heating product distributor - and is the newest addition to Ariston’s growing portfolio of training centres throughout the UK and Ireland. Ariston’s new training centre is the first in Ireland, marking a step forward for the heating company as it says it seeks to broaden its audience of plumbers and engineers by opening local centres alongside creating a number of jobs for local people. Details of the facility The facility is kitted out with Ariston’s full range of wall hung boilers, from e-combi models to units like the Alteas. The renewables section showcases Ariston’s Nimbus heat pump range and Nuos heat pump water heaters, including a hybrid set up. There are also ATAG Commercial and ELCO boilers available for those working on commercial systems. The opening was reportedly a success, with FM 104 radio attending the day to provide entertainment for visitors and attendees, who were also able to enjoy a variety of food stalls while they toured the new facility. Allan Carrick of Ariston Group comments, “We are delighted to open another training centre and [to] take our first step into branching out in Ireland. "This is a significant milestone for Ariston Group as it will allow us to provide a variety of technical training and tailored solutions to local engineers and installers, giving them the knowledge and confidence to tackle complex jobs and meet higher levels of customer demands. “With the current skills gap posing a real issue to the industry, it is vital for installers to upskill into heat pumps. This will not only lessen the burden on the industry, but will open more doors for installers, helping them find more work and, ultimately, turn a bigger profit. "Training centres like ours can really support with this, so this launch is something we are particularly proud of." Paul Byrne of Plumb-It adds, “We are thrilled to have opened Ariston Group’s first Irish training centre at our premises. We have been a long-standing partner of Ariston Group and find their products easy to install and maintain. “We believe it is important to help local heating engineers develop their skills in a world that is always evolving when it comes to carbon-efficiency. "The training centre will be a hub of information and knowledge that will give engineers the confidence across of number of topics such as HVAC systems, system components, and safety protocols.” Heating engineers and installers wishing to book onto a training session can contact their local ASM, Daniel Lang, to find out when their next local session will take place. For more from Ariston, click here.