SPARKS Learner of the Year competition gets underway

This January and February, SPARKS - the magazine for electrical students and apprentices - is travelling to six regions across the UK in search of the best upcoming talent within the electrical industry. In each location, 10 students will battle it out in a live practical test, designed by NAPIT. The six regional winners, plus the overall highest runner-up, will go through to the grand final in March. Having started this year's competition at Weston College – South West Skills Campus, SPARKS has announced the first regional winner and runner-up of its Learner of the Year 2025 competition - and taking the honours is Taylor Slade from Bridgwater and Taunton College, who takes home the South West Regional Winner title; while Monty Jay from Weston College was named runner-up. After another competition hosted at Gower College Swansea – Tycoch Campus, SPARKS has also announced the second regional winner and runner-up of the SPARKS Learner of the Year Welsh heat. The winner for this category is Drew Squires O’Sullivan from Gower College Swansea, who takes home the Welsh Regional Winner title for 2025. The runner-up is Shay Fox from Gower College Swansea. The SPARKS Learner of the Year 2025 competition provides a platform for apprentice and student electricians to showcase their skills, gain confidence and win an array of prizes to support them at the very start of their careers. This year's event is sponsored by Luceco Group, Electric Center, Milwaukee, Aico, EAL, Ideal Industries, Fix Radio, Prysmian, Snickers Workwear and NAPIT. The next round of this year's competition will take place at Gateshead College, Skills Academy for Construction in the North East. For more from SPARKS, click here.

SELECT retains UKAS accreditation

As SELECT begins celebrating its 125th anniversary year, its Technical team is also celebrating after its inspection activities received accreditation with the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) for the 26th year in a row. Accreditation against the internationally recognised standard for inspection bodies ISO/IEC 17020:2012 means that SELECT continues to be officially recognised for the quality of its electrical installation inspection service. In order for accreditation to be maintained, SELECT has been subject to rigorous annual assessment by UKAS since first attaining accredited status in 1998. Bob Cairney, Director of Technical Services, comments, “Being UKAS accredited is extremely important to the association, its Members and the wider public, so I would like to congratulate all the Technical Services team on the hard work that has resulted in yet again achieving a successful outcome from our UKAS audit at the end of 2024. “Holding UKAS accredited status is another example of our commitment to quality in our 125th year and brings great confidence to consumers and the wider industry. “It also demonstrates that our Technical Advisers have proved their competence to carry out installation inspections safely, impartially and to the highest standard.” The latest UKAS accreditation comes as SELECT embarks on a year of activity to mark its 125th year anniversary, including Toolbox Talks across Scotland in May and June and a Grand Ball in Glasgow in November (you can read more about the various events and activities here). The assessment was once again coordinated by SELECT Technical Administrator, Susie Liddle, who took on the duties of quality controller at The Walled Garden in 2022. Bob continues, “Susie has worked hard and should be rightfully proud of this achievement. I would also like to thank our independent adviser, Haig Hamilton, for his continued assistance.” UKAS is the only national accreditation body in the UK that is recognised by the government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. Accreditation provides assurance of the consistency and quality of the inspections performed by competent organisations and consequently gives the consumer greater confidence in the safety of their environment. For more from SELECT, click here.

NVC Lighting unveils 2025 product catalogue

NVC Lighting has introduced its 2025 catalogue, showcasing a diverse range of high-performance, cost-effective LED commercial lighting solutions designed for various applications and sectors. The new catalogue includes a selection of products new for 2025, including the upgraded DALLAS PRO, a surface or suspended fitting ideal for communal areas in schools or office buildings. The DALLAS PRO can be purchased in any colour requested by customers to suit its surroundings, while offering a low glare level of UGR<19. In addition to the vast range of products detailed for use across commercial, industrial and residential applications, NVC Lighting outlines its ongoing commitment to customer service, its best-in-class warranty offering and its experience and product applications across various different sectors. The brand’s sustainability credentials, including Carbon Neutral certification and EcoVadis Bronze accreditation, are also highlighted, alongside a signal of commitment to growing its range of Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verified products. Verification ensures that the environmental data of a product, including its lifecycle impact, is accurate, reliable and compliant with international standards. A handful of NVC Lighting’s most popular products have already been EPD certified, including the YALE PRO, Broadway, NEBRASKA LiFe and more. The catalogue also gives an outline on how NVC Lighting’s products integrate with wireless control system HubSense. Phil Brown, Product & Marketing Director at NVC Lighting, says, “Our new catalogue for 2025 consolidates all our products into one comprehensive resource, offering key information tailored to the needs of our diverse customer base. “We’re looking forward to an exciting 2025, and this catalogue showcases our current capabilities while paving the way for future innovations.” NVC Lighting’s new 2025 catalogue is available to download now, with printed copies available by contacting sales@nvcuk.com.

MyWorkwear issues construction workwear survey findings

According to a study by MyWorkwear, a provider of workwear, personalised uniform and PPE products, one in six construction workers replace their workwear only once a year. With workwear playing a vital part in how workers conduct their role, MyWorkwear wanted to delve into the cleanliness of uniforms worn by UK professionals to determine how often they clean and replace items, alongside their general opinions of their workwear - and the company was somewhat surprised by its findings. The key statistics for those working within the construction sector are as follows: When asked how often they clean items such as trousers, a third (33%) state once per week, compared to 7% who state a couple of times per month. Looking at tops such as shirts, 24% wash them once per week, with 5% only washing them a few times per month. Delving further into items such as overalls, almost a quarter (24%) wash them once per week, whereas 10% wash them a few times per month. For items such as jackets and fleeces, 30% wash them once per week compared to 10% who wash them a few times per month. Questioning workers about their reasons for cleaning their workwear, 10% expressed that their employer requires them to. However, when asked how often they replace their workwear, 15% only replace items once per year whereas 22% replace items once every two months. Analysing their opinions on their workwear, positively, over two-fifths (41%) are happy with their workwear but 23% expressed that they’d like to change the items as they’re too tight fitting; while 10% believe the items don’t compliment or suit different heights and body frames. Discussing how often different items of workwear should be washed, James Worthington, Co-Owner and Co-Managing Director at MyWorkwear, comments, “It’s dependent on the items and as per the instructions and hygiene requirements of individuals. It’s also dependent on the environment in which the items are being used. For example, those on-site would need to wash items more regularly due to dirt build-up, compared to those off-site. “Wash under layers more often than outer layers and replace once stains can no longer be washed out, therefore impacting brand image. It’s also important that all branded layers are washed regularly so that branding is always on show regardless of changing weather conditions. For example, if it suddenly starts to rain, a clean branded coat should be available.” For more from MyWorkwear, click here.

New Berula linear batten luminaire from Ovia

Ovia, part of the Scolmore Group of companies, has introduced the Berula, a new Linear Batten Multicurrent LED luminaire that is designed to deliver superior performance, flexibility, and ease of installation. A high performing luminaire, the Berula is available in Microwave Sensor, Emergency, and Microwave Sensor & Emergency versions, and also comes in three different lengths and wattages. This luminaire is built for convenience and durability and offers a range of features and benefits to enhance the installation process and its performance: • A full plastic diffuser which makes it light and easy to install. • Polycarbonate end caps with 20mm conduit knockouts provide added versatility. • A programmable Microwave Sensor allows the customisation of sensor settings based on the installation environment. • Concealed motion detection technology enables energy-saving functionality without the need for an additional sensor. • Multicurrent driver – the constant current driver allows the installer to change the wattage to suit the environment. • With the Multicurrent driver offering a range of wattages, this means that installers and wholesalers benefit from carrying/stocking fewer products as many applications will be covered by a single luminaire. • CCT – allows colour switching between warm white, cool white and daylight to suit any environment. • Emergency battery and driver ensures visibility and safety in case of power failure. • Push fit terminals allow for fast and simple installation. Operating at an impressive 120lm/W, the Berula comes in three different sizes and wattage combinations - 1200mm (20-35W), 1500mm (30-52W), and 1800mm (35-61W). With its advanced features and high efficiency, Ovia’s new linear batten is ideal for a variety of environments, including commercial spaces, classrooms, car parks, and domestic settings such as utility rooms and garages. The Berula comes with a five-year warranty. More information can be found on the Ovia website, and via the Scolmore Group app. For more from Ovia, click here.

Government urged to explore solar opportunity in car parks

A renewable energy expert is urging the government to take up the ‘open goal’ solar production opportunity that is waiting in commercial car parks across the UK. Damian Baker, Managing Director of renewable energy specialist, RenEnergy, has highlighted that the mandating of solar car ports – canopies with solar PV panels that cover car parking spaces – would unlock significant energy production in land already used for car parking. Recent research commissioned by RenEnergy has shown that there are over 546,000 suitable spaces (and counting) capable of producing over 1,263 GWh of energy a year – equivalent to the average annual usage of around 350,000 UK homes. The research is an ongoing project, with the organisation expecting hundreds of thousands more spaces to be uncovered as the investigation continues across the UK. The release of the research follows the government’s Clean Power 2030 action plan announcement, which highlights that it will assess the potential to drive the construction on solar of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence. The installation of solar panels on car parks is already mandatory in a number of European countries, including new car parks in Slovenia and France for all those with more than 80 spaces. With evidence already on the size of the UK opportunity, and similar mandates already in place across Europe, Damian is arguing a mandate on the installation of solar panels on carparks would provide a key source of energy security for the UK. Damian explains, “The Sunshine Bill is a welcome step in the right direction for solar energy production in this country. This bill will ensure that hundreds of thousands of new homes are built in line with our ambitious targets, thereby prioritising energy security and reducing energy bills. “There is, however, an open goal in solar energy production in the UK that countries such as France and Slovenia are already capitalising on. If the government also mandates the installation of solar car ports in new car parks and car parks over 40 spaces, we could see significant renewable production on land that is already used for car parking. In addition to the energy production for the businesses they are connected to and the potential for EV charging, the energy usage that could be relieved from the grid and event contribute to grid energy would be vast. “The government’s clean energy ambition through the Sunshine Bill and Clean Power 2030 is positive and we will continue to play our role in the development renewable infrastructure to support this. The evidence we have already gathered and continue to compile should be ample to demonstrate that there is a massive opportunity waiting in car parks across the UK that we can act on immediately.” For more from RenEnergy, click here.

NICEIC highlights dangers of DIY electrical works

A new YouGov survey commissioned by NICEIC, the certification and training body for the electrical industry, has found that almost one in three (30%) UK adults have attempted DIY electrical work in the home, putting themselves and their families at risk of unsafe electrics. This is despite 89% of all UK adults saying that they either tend to agree or strongly agree that undertaking some domestic electrical work could be dangerous or life threatening. The survey, which was commissioned by NICEIC to investigate the attitudes and opinions of householders towards electrical DIY in the home, also found that 87% of UK adults either tend to agree, or strongly agree, that electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician. However, despite this, results suggest some householders are still attempting electrical work themselves, risking injury or even death, as well as costly implications to repair any incorrectly installed work. Therefore, this month, NICEIC has launched the next phase of its Don’t Do DIY Electrics campaign aimed at educating householders of the dangers of using a non-certified business or attempting themselves to complete electrical works in a domestic setting. The Don’t Do DIY Electrics campaign can be seen across social media channels including YouTube and Meta, and the wider Google network, through a series of new digital adverts that highlight the invisible dangers of unsafe electrical work. NICEIC is committed to raising awareness of certification in the industry, providing ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and connecting consumers with NICEIC-certified businesses through its ‘Find a Trusted Tradesperson’ tool. Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, comments, “Our ongoing commitment to raising standards in the industry and providing certification to thousands of businesses across the country has never been so important. Whilst it’s encouraging to see that the public has a strong understanding of the dangers of undertaking electrical work, it’s concerning that almost one in three people are still attempting to complete works themselves. “In the electrical industry, we are all aware of the potential dangers of bad electrical work and the costly implications to put unsafe electrics right. These findings show that there’s work to be done to ensure householders fully understand the ramifications. Our Don’t Do DIY Electrics campaign aims to do just that, highlighting the invisible dangers of unsafe electrical work and the importance of using an NICEIC-certified business to carry out any installations or works.” The campaign directs consumers to NICEIC’s ‘Find a Trusted Tradesperson' tool, a database of over 40,000 certified businesses across the country. For more from NICEIC, click here.

2024 sets record for small-scale renewable installations

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), the UK’s quality mark for renewable energy technologies like solar PV and heat pumps, has announced that 2024 was a record-breaking year for small-scale renewables. According to data from the MCS Data Dashboard, there were more than 260,000 certified installations in UK homes and small businesses last year, including heat pumps, solar and battery storage. This is a 7% increase compared to 2023, which itself was a record year for installations. The record-breaking numbers from last year have also taken the total number of certified installations past the 2 million mark, highlighting the nation’s growing commitment to renewable technologies for heating and powering homes and businesses. Heat pumps saw a significant and record-breaking rise in 2024, with almost 60,000 certified installations – a 43% increase on 2023. This milestone brings the total number of certified heat pump installations in the UK to over 275,000. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), available in England and Wales, and the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan, available in Scotland, have both played a key part accelerating growth by making heat pumps more accessible and affordable for homeowners. The initiatives offer grants of up to £7,500 for certified heat pump installations, with the HES Grant & Loan offering to £9,000 for households that qualify for a rural uplift. Solar PV continues to lead the way as the most popular renewable technology with over 180,000 certified installations recorded last year, while battery storage saw record-breaking numbers with nearly 20,000 certified installations. Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, comments, “It’s fantastic to see the record-breaking uptake of renewable energy technologies across the UK. More consumers are making the switch to home-grown energy, placing their trust in MCS certified contractors to give them confidence in their renewable installations. “As the numbers rise and more people benefit from home-grown energy, it’s crucial that standards are maintained in order to continue the momentum. This is where MCS product and installation standards have a key role to play in building confidence as the UK transitions to net zero.” Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh, adds, “It is excellent news that clean energy is now within reach for more people than ever. From heat pumps to solar panels, renewables are essential for supporting working people to secure affordable, homegrown power for their homes and businesses. “By almost doubling the budget for our Boiler Upgrade Scheme in the next financial year, we hope that records for renewable installations continue to be overtaken.” MCS holds a comprehensive repository of data on the uptake of small-scale renewable technologies across the UK on The MCS Data Dashboard. For near-real-time updates on renewable installations, sign up for free to The MCS Data Dashboard by clicking here. For more from MCS, click here.

BRUSH innovation hub opens in Blackwood

Energy engineering provider, BRUSH Group, has opened an Innovation and Insight Hub at its flagship switchgear site in the Welsh Valley town of Blackwood. Designed to showcase BRUSH’s range of switchgear products, including the recently launched CRYNO, the new facility was opened at an event attended by customers, local elected members and representatives of Industry Wales. In celebration of his impressive 50 years’ service, the ribbon-cutting honours were given to Service Product Engineer, Ashley Payne. Ashley began his career as an engineering apprentice back in 1974 at the age of 16 years old. Fast-forward 50 years, and Ashley has spent five decades supporting the company’s growth, innovation, and its customers. A steadying influence throughout the years, today Ashley applies his extensive knowledge and experience to solving problems for customers, whilst also supporting the next generation of in-house engineering experts. Reflecting on his career with the company, Ashley saiys, “I love coming to work – I like what I do! I talk to customers, take away their problems and provide them with solutions. Ultimately, that’s what we’re about – helping and supporting our customers. “Supporting our bright team of apprentices and mentoring them keeps me sharp. I get to pass on my engineering knowledge and in return, they keep me switched on as they pass on their tech knowledge, ask questions, and share their enthusiasm.” Speaking about Ashley’s service, BRUSH Group CEO, Nicolas Pitrat, comments, “Ashley has dedicated his career to our business, and we are immensely proud of what he has achieved. It felt only right that as we celebrate the next chapter in our evolution through the opening of our Innovation and Insight Hub, that Ashley is the one to officially open the space that is now home to our next-generation switchgear solution – CRYNO.” Pronounced ‘Cruh-no’ (Welsh for ‘compact’), the name not only describes a key feature of its efficient space-saving design, but also reflects its proud Welsh heritage, having been designed, developed, and now manufactured, at Blackwood. Through its switchgear innovations, BRUSH maintains the stability and reliability of electrical power systems – which is ever more vital as the UK transitions to better energy security and net zero carbon. For more from BRUSH Group, click here.

Octopus Energy receives 200,000 inquiries about heat pumps

Octopus Energy has reported that over 200,000 homeowners contacted the company to enquire about a heat pump in 2024.  This marks a remarkable 144% increase from the previous year, signalling a growing trend among homeowners eager to ditch traditional heating systems. The UK heat pump industry hit a new record with almost 60,000 new installations in 2024.  With the UK government’s annual target of 600,000 new heat pump installations by 2028 another year closer, Octopus’ figures show exponentially growing consumer demand. A similar growth from 2025-2026, 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 would see the UK easily hit this target. Furthermore, half (49%) of UK consumers want to invest in low carbon heating solutions, a recent study revealed.  Thanks to the £7,500 grant from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), the costs of getting a heat pump are now on par with a new gas boiler.  Heat pumps are also cheaper to run than gas boilers with dedicated smart tariffs. Octopus’ ‘Cosy Octopus’ can save heat pump customers £315 a year on heating costs compared to gas boiler customers on an SVT. To further drive down running costs, the government is currently considering moving environmental and social levies off electricity. Alex Schoch, Global Director of Clean Tech at Octopus Energy, says, “With over 200,000 inquiries in just one year, it’s clear that the UK is at the cusp of a heating revolution.  “The appetite is there - British homeowners are hungry to go green. But the industry must step up and demystify heat pump technology to help people make informed choices.”  Octopus has already invested over £75 million to speed up the rollout of heat pumps. Its proprietary ‘Cosy 6’ heat pump is designed and manufactured in the UK. Octopus also built an R&D and engineer training centre for heat pumps in Slough – the first of its kind in the country.