Action Sustainability launches practical procurement guidance

Action Sustainability has released new guidance, highlighting how to address modern slavery and labour exploitation risks in the solar photovoltaic (PV) supply chain. With the effects of climate change becoming apparent in all corners of the world, the transition to a low-carbon economy is more urgent than ever. Solar PV technology is vital in enabling this transition, as it captures solar energy efficiently, producing low-carbon electricity and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. However, recent reports such as the Global Slavery Index 2023 and Sheffield Hallam University’s ‘In Broad Daylight: Uyghur Forced Labour and Global Supply Chains’ have exposed how the solar PV industry is vulnerable to forced labour. The company's new ‘Addressing Modern Slavery and Labour Exploitation in Solar PV Supply Chains Procurement Guidance’ explores the modern slavery and labour exploitation risks and impacts in the solar PV supply chain and the critical steps to take to address these issues. Key features of the guide: Outlines pragmatic steps to address these risks throughout the commercial lifecycle Valuable insights into effective solar PV procurement due diligence Practical tips and guidance for implementing best practices for solar PV procurement Signposts to existing tools, resources and collaborative initiatives to help organisations improve their approaches While the guidance focuses on solar PV, its content is transferable to responsible sourcing strategies for other renewable energy technologies, allowing organisations to reduce reputational risk, meet client requirements, gain competitive advantage, increase investor confidence, and develop more resilient supply chains. Helen Carter, Lead Consultant at Action Sustainability and Co-Author of the report, says, “Human rights abuses such as modern slavery, forced labour and labour exploitation are embedded in the history of our energy journey. We’re in the process of changing the energy mix and moving to a more sustainable model, yet the technologies we’re relying on are entrenched with human rights issues. We wanted to produce this guide to help organisations of all shapes and sizes take a responsible approach to this transition - we hope it goes some way to doing that.”

4lite announces partnership with Screwfix

4lite has announced a partnership with Screwfix, offering more than 450 professional and residential lighting products and solutions. 4lite, part of the Ansell Group, is launching an extended range of commercial, industrial, residential and smart lighting solutions with Screwfix from Autumn 2023. Screwfix customers will have access to this wider range of LED products including downlights, battens, non-corrosive fixtures, outdoor lights, high bays and emergency lighting, all suited to a broad range of installations and applications and fully tested and certified by the LIA. All products also come with a minimum four year warranty. With a good, better, best approach, many of the 4lite LED lighting products will also feature ‘Connected by WiZ’ technology, allowing professional electricians and homeowners alike to specify and install a complete connected lighting system for almost any environment. The partnership will deliver a wider choice of professional and commercial lighting solutions for electrical contractors, installers and end-users. Stock availability in local stores can be checked via the Screwfix app or online, allowing customers to pay and collect their 4lite lighting in as little as one minute! Steve Burke, Sales Director for 4lite, says, “Screwfix was looking for a wider range of professional grade lighting products as part of its growth and diversification plans and we are delighted that 4lite was able to support this exciting launch.” 4lite will also be showcasing its products at the Screwfix Live event in Farnborough, from 22-24 September 2023, which has become the go-to annual event for installers, tradespeople, business and homeowners across the UK.

Zaptec's tribute to electricians

For an electrician, installing a charging station is routine work. However, for all electric vehicle owners who want to charge their cars smartly and safely, it's essential that the electrician knows what they're doing and sets up the charger correctly. This is what Zaptec aims to celebrate in its new video. You might not have envisioned an electrician installing an EV charging station in the middle of the Stavanger Concert Hall stage, while a string orchestra plays Edvard Grieg in the background. Yet, that's precisely what happens in the new video. By depicting an electrician installing a Zaptec Go while Edvard's famous, 'Holberg Suite' plays, the company intends to commend all electricians' hard work and expertise, showcasing how quickly one can install a Zaptec charging station at home.  In the video, the viewers meet Jone Oliversen, a Zaptec electrician employee who assembles the charging station in real-time with unwavering composure. "I never imagined that such a job would ever receive such recognition. Electricians deserve praise. We're talking about a profession that keeps society running daily, and it's important not to forget that," says Jone.  The video also highlights how fast and efficient it is to have an electric vehicle charger installed at home. A survey conducted by YouGov for Zaptec earlier this year, showed that nearly one in 10 Norwegians still charge their electric vehicles from a regular power outlet. Therefore, the video can also encourage installing a proper charger at home. "Continuous charging of electric vehicles from a regular power outlet is not recommended. It loads the electrical system, since the wires are consistently pushed to their maximum capacity over time. Most power outlets and electrical systems are not designed for this, and this load can lead to overheating and, in the worst-case scenario, a fire," says Lindsay Yeoman, Interim Country Manager UK at Zaptec. "A dedicated charging station can handle more power and has several additional safety features built into the system to avoid the risk of overheating and fire. This is especially important if you charge your electric vehicle overnight."  Watch the tribute to electricians here.

Empowering mental wellbeing with an online learning platform

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern life, the importance of prioritising mental wellbeing has become increasingly evident. Recognising this need, EIC Trading Company have taken a step forward by introducing a new online learning platform that offers a wide range of mental health training courses and live interactive webinars. The courses are designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively navigate mental health challenges, both personally and professionally. The online learning platform reflects the charity's commitment to supporting the mental wellbeing of individuals within the electrical industry. This platform allows participants to access training programs from the convenience of their own mobile phones, enabling them to acquire essential skills for managing stress, promoting mental health awareness and offering assistance to those in need. The training programs cover a comprehensive array of topics, catering to various needs and roles within the industry. Some of the standout courses available on the platform include: Managing stress in the workplace: Stress, a common response to challenges, can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health, if left unchecked. This course equips participants with tools to identify sources of stress, understand its impact and implement strategies to manage stress effectively. By creating a healthier work environment, participants learn to foster productivity and wellbeing among colleagues. Stress awareness for managers: Recognising that managers play a pivotal role in maintaining a positive work atmosphere, this extended course focuses on stress management for leadership positions. Managers gain insights into recognising signs of stress among team members, implementing strategies to reduce stress levels, and fostering a supportive work environment that encourages open conversations about mental wellbeing. Mental health awareness: An introductory course aimed at raising awareness about mental health, this program educates participants about common mental health disorders, reduces stigma and equips individuals to provide basic support and guidance to those struggling with mental health challenges. This course advocates for creating mentally healthy workplaces and communities. Mental health awareness for apprentices: Acknowledging the unique challenges faced by apprentices, this course addresses the significance of mental health in personal and professional development. Apprentices learn to identify signs of mental health struggles, access resources for stress management and engage in conversations that reduce stigma and promote mental wellbeing. Mental health first aid: As a crucial addition to the platform, this course trains participants to become qualified mental health first aiders. Participants learn to recognise common mental health issues, provide initial assistance to those in crisis and guide individuals towards professional help and resources. By doing so, participants contribute to cultivating a culture of understanding and empathy around mental health. Suicide first aid: This course imparts essential skills to identify individuals at risk of suicide and intervene effectively. Participants are equipped to engage in compassionate and non-judgmental conversations, provide immediate assistance and connect individuals with appropriate resources and professionals. Access to wellbeing seminars (monthly): In addition to the structured courses, the EIC offers a series of inspirational talks aimed at enhancing various aspects of wellbeing. These webinars provide a platform for participants to gain insights from expert speakers, learn practical strategies and connect with a community of individuals dedicated to personal growth and self-care. The launch of the online learning platform is a leap forward in promoting mental health within the electrical industry. By offering a comprehensive range of training programs, the EIC aims to empower individuals at all levels with the knowledge and skills required to address mental health challenges effectively. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing these resources will undoubtedly contribute to creating a more supportive and mentally resilient community within the electrical sector. If you are interested in accessing any of the training courses, you can sign up through the online platform.

Hanwha Vision launches ANPR solution ideal for urban traffic

Hanwha Vision Europe has launched RoadWatch, an edge-based ANPR solution ideal for urban traffic. It is pre-loaded on six specially selected X series cameras, allowing for a quick and easy deployment with the licence already activated. It is also available as a separate application, offering compatibility with a wider range of X series cameras. The new solution has been developed in partnership with FF Group and is a further extension of the company's edge-based ANPR solutions. Ideal for urban environments RoadWatch is ideal for monitoring urban traffic and covers one lane of traffic travelling up to 55mph and 30mIR. Direction detection is configurable on RoadWatch and it comes with two recognition zones, which, due to their quadrilateral shape, can be configured to fit most areas within a scene. Installation is made easy with the intuitive ANPR setup wizard. The benefits of edge-based ANPR Due to its edge-based analytics, RoadWatch requires lower bandwidth compared to server-based AI, which can impact energy efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability. The cost of ownership is also lowered, as there’s no need to maintain a large server room. As analytics happens locally on a device, only metadata is transferred back to a server, increasing cyber security, as no sensitive data can be intercepted. Improved operator awareness and insights RoadWatch displays events and key information at-a-glance in list view for quick situational awareness. The solution comes with list management, to trigger specific reactions for vehicles identified on each list. For example, opening a barrier to allow entry for vehicles only on the ‘white list’. The setup for this is simple with a bulk upload option for number plate data. Operators can use smart search to find specific plates, including full and partial, of different countries, as well as within a certain timeframe. Further insights can be gleaned via the application’s statistics function, which can tell operators about the busiest times of day or days of the week. Integration with WAVE VMS is seamless, for further analytics functionality and for the solution to work with other systems, like perimeter protection and access control. Rules can be set based on identified number plates, for instance, switching on building lighting and heating when a vehicle enters a site.

NG Bailey IT Services welcomes apprentices

The IT Services business of NG Bailey has welcomed the first cohort to its new apprenticeship programme. The five young people have joined the scheme which aims to train the next generation of talent who will support the UK’s transition to the latest digital connectivity. There were over 150 applications for the apprenticeship scheme, the first run by the IT Services arm of NG Bailey in over a decade.  It follows the wider group’s success in developing the talent of tomorrow across its other business areas, having trained almost 6,000, since its first intake in 1934. The apprenticeship scheme includes both structured cabling and digital technical solutions pathways, which are being delivered in partnership with CNet Training and Staffordshire University respectively.  Kelly Tedesco, Managing Director of NG Bailey’s IT Services business, says, “Interest in our apprenticeship programme was really strong and we were delighted with the quality of applications we received. “It’s vital that businesses such as ours invest in the talent of tomorrow as digital connectivity continues to evolve at pace and we work to fulfil our own growth ambitions. “These new, talented apprentices will not only further enhance our technical abilities but be given valuable launchpads for careers in our sector and industry at large as we help transform connectivity, build better businesses and empower people.” The apprentices have successfully completed their induction at the Queens Hotel in Leeds, where they undertook a variety of workshops and tasks and had the opportunity to learn from former apprentices, hear guest speakers including senior management team members, presentations from NG Bailey family members and meet their apprenticeship development partners. Alongside the partnerships with both Staffordshire University and CNet Training NG Bailey IT Services offers a range of apprenticeships that offer people clear career pathways that help them achieve their long-term ambitions. Click here for more latest news.

Revolutionary new app for tradespeople by Yepic

Yepic, a new photo-based app for tradespeople, has made life easier and simpler for the UK's 2.5m tradespeople. Now available in app stores, Yepic uses your work photos taken on your smartphones to record and manage jobs and has been designed for all trades, including electricians, plumbers, builders, decorators and joiners. Rapidly gaining momentum within the construction trades sector since its full launch in May this year on mobile and desktop, Yepic and its new pay-for upgrade, Yepic+ has a user-friendly, intuitive interface designed to empower the country's tradespeople. Leeds-based, it is the brainchild of former electrical contractor and tech entrepreneur, Sam Overment from East Yorkshire, who has been backed in his vision by a multimillion-pound investment from Labora, the parent company of City Electrical Factors’ (CEF). “Yepic is so easy to get started - all tradespeople need is a phone number and the app downloaded," says Sam. "When you take a photo on your phone, the app captures the exact location and creates a ‘job’ in the app. You can add a caption like a customer’s name and include notes and tasks to help manage the job, while choosing to have every visit you make and every photo you take automatically added using GPS, accurately recording addresses, eliminating time-consuming manual data entry." Automatically finding all job photos on your phone, Yepic allows tradespeople to quickly sort and categorise thousands of images into job albums, tracking hours spent at each job capturing precise arrival and departure times. The Yepic app is free and has so far been downloaded by more than 12,000 tradespeople with a target of 50,000 downloads by the end of the year in what is one of the UK's largest sectors by employment, including 800,000 self-employed tradespeople among the 2.5m people employed across the country's construction trades industry. “It's a massive market and every tradesperson has the problem of needing to record their work movements and jobs with many relying on their memory alone, adding stress to their workday," adds Sam, who brings industry expertise and a deep understanding of tradespeople's needs having spent years as a time-served electrician. “Yepic’s real USP is about putting tradespeople at the centre of everything we do. It enhances tradespeople and has no real barriers to allowing people to use it." The proof is in the pudding, and Yepic has certainly struck a chord with users. Successes like these have encouraged Sam and his team of Leeds-based app developers and designers to launch new, advanced features which are now available in the pay-for upgrade to the app, Yepic+. Yepic+ has additional functionality and advanced features that include job sharing, videos, timesheets and job reports and is available on either a monthly or annual paid subscription. Yepic's App Tester, Ash Winter, says, "The Yepic+ job reports function has something for loads of different Yepic+ subscribers. If you are a sole trader looking to showcase work or working on a big site and you need to export your time. Even for students with assignments to pull together. "We have built it to be flexible, so you can access time on the job, photos, notes and tasks. It's something you can use for your needs, rather than what we think your needs are."

Atrato to acquire 34MW operational rooftop solar portfolio

Atrato Onsite Energy has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of a fully operational, 34MW, solar portfolio consisting of 9,549 rooftop solar PV systems located across England and Wales for £77.3m. Transaction The transaction, which is expected to be complete within six weeks, is being acquired from a fund managed by Federated Hermes Infrastructure. The transaction includes £38.7m of fixed rate existing project finance debt at an attractive cost of 2% and amortising over the 12-year contract term. Portfolio The portfolio benefits from revenue streams pursuant to the government’s Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme, which have a 12-year unexpired term with annual, uncapped, uplifts, linked to the retail price index (RPI) and payable directly to ROOF by the respective utility companies. The FIT scheme was introduced in 2010 by the UK government to promote the uptake of renewable and low-carbon electricity generation. The contracts have minimal exposure to wholesale power prices – a key focus for ROOF which has a 4% portfolio sensitivity to power price movement, the lowest in the sector. The portfolio has an operations and maintenance agreement (O&M), which covers all maintenance and day to day issues on the assets until the expiry of the lease. The O&M provider is highly experienced and manages 70,000+ similar residential installations. ESG The portfolio is helping to decarbonise domestic electricity consumption and support the UK’s net zero transition. It has generated 291GWh of renewable energy to date, avoiding around 55,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions since installation. It is expected that the portfolio will generate an additional around 390GWh over the remaining life of the asset, equating to a further carbon emission saving of around 75,000 tonnes, equivalent to planting three million new trees.  Solar installations on residential properties are likely to increase in demand, following UK government legislation, that means all newly rented properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of at least 'C' by 2025. ROOF outlook Project Sol will mark the fifth acquisition made by Atrato Onsite Energy in the year to date. These transactions collectively represent an additional 120MW of solar PV capacity and £149m of investment to the existing portfolio. Other notable acquisitions recently completed by the fund are, London Road, a 28MW, solar PV project in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and Skeeby Solar, a 55MW solar PV project in Richmond, North Yorkshire. Gurpreet Gujral, Managing Director of Atrato, says, “We are delighted to have agreed to acquire this significant rooftop portfolio, which will provide immediate, long-term, highly contracted cash flows with 100% uncapped RPI linkage and UK government backing, supplying rooftop generated clean energy to nearly 10,000 homes." Click here for more latest news.

Top 10 things you should never do when hiring a tradesperson

Dusty work conditions, hagglers, and indecisive customers have been highlighted as some of the biggest pet peeves of tradespeople working across the UK. Have you ever hired a tradesperson to help complete a job in your home or workplace? As the demand for tradespeople has increased by 50% in two years, it’s likely that if you haven’t already, you will be looking for one soon. For those who have hired tradespeople, hopefully you haven’t forgotten to offer the tradesperson a drink! Or are you guilty of following them around your house while they’re hard at work? If so, you may be adding to your local tradesperson’s list of pet peeves. With over 26,000 tradespeople in London alone, there are professionals to cover almost every job or issue that you can think of. However, it’s important that we respect our tradespeople and don’t irritate them to the point where they’re tempted to refuse your custom next time you’re in the market for a tradie. The trade insurance experts at Toolbox have researched and highlighted 10 of tradespeople's biggest pet peeves: Delayed payments Whether you’re expected to make a deposit payment, a payment before work is complete, or a payment after work is complete, you should never delay the payment so the tradesperson receives it after the agreed date. Once you’ve agreed to the work being done, whatever the scope of work is, you should ensure that you’re going to be able to make full payments for the work as and when they’re needed and agreed to be paid. Tradespeople often suffer from a loss of income and this can cause a multitude of issues, especially when they’re self-employed. Price hagglers  Although, many people believe that they should be able to get a discount on what they’re buying, whether that's a new TV, insurance policy, or in this case, work by a tradesperson, it shouldn’t always be the case. Once a price has been set, as a customer, you should not go back to the tradesperson and ask for a discount once the fee has already been agreed. The tradesperson will have ordered and purchased supplies, as well as booked in time to complete the job for you, based on the initial agreed cost. Indecisive customers Once you’ve booked in your work, please be mindful not to request lots of changes to the work originally agreed upon. Constant changes to the plan can cause delays and increase the cost of the project, which is probably something that you haven’t already planned for. So, it’s important to try to have a clear idea of what you want before work begins, as you will need to pay extra for any changes that you make. Dirty workspaces No one is expecting a workspace to be sparkly clean before the tradespeople arrive to complete their job, however, it needs to be a workable environment. If you’ve booked work in an area of the home that is full of cobwebs and dust, or is completely inaccessible because of clutter or furniture around it, we’d suggest giving it a tidy before the work is due to begin. While cleaning the area, ensure that it’s clean and tidy enough for you to feel comfortable working there yourself. Overscheduling of different trades Although you might be eager to get more than one job done at the same time, to save yourself time, it may make it more difficult for the tradespeople that you hire. If you hire people from two different trades to work on the same day, you may find that they end up getting in each other's way or worst case scenario, they may not be able to complete their work while the other trade's work is getting completed. Following tradespeople around as they work If you’ve hired a tradesperson to complete work in and around your home, one of the worst things you can do is follow them around your home as they’re trying to complete their work. The same goes for trying to interfere with their work. It’s more than okay to offer tradespeople a cup of tea or something to eat, or even offer them any equipment you may have around the house that may be of use to them, however, try to leave them to it. They’re the experts, after all. No offers of food or drink  More often than not, a tradesperson that you’ve hired will be working around the clock to get the job done within the agreed timeframe, therefore, they’re going to spend a lot of time within your home. Throughout the day, especially if you’re making one for yourself, offer any tradespeople working for you a tea or a coffee, as it will more than likely be well appreciated. You could even leave out some snacks on the side, with a cold drink or two in the fridge for them to help themselves to. Poor communication Make sure that you stay in contact with your tradesperson and remain open and transparent with them. Ensure that you’re being totally honest about what work you want done, your visualisations, your timeframe, and even your budget, to make sure that they’re on the same page as you. That said, you also want to ensure that you’re not over-communicating with your tradespeople and overwhelming them with messages and calls when they may be working on other jobs. Unrealistic expectations Your tradesperson will be very good at their job, but they won’t be able to make miracles happen. Make sure that your views and plans for the work that you’re getting done are realistic. You may have an idea of your dream room that you’re hiring tradespeople to help complete, however, you may be working with a space that is a lot smaller than the space that you’ve been picturing in your mind. Customers cancelling last minute  Last, but certainly not least important, is no last minute cancellations! A lot of work goes on behind the scenes of every job, such as the ordering of products and materials, and it all has an impact on finances, and most importantly, time. It’s crucial to remember that tradespeople are typically balancing multiple jobs. So, respect their time and avoid last-minute cancellations or abrupt changes that could disrupt their schedule or result in loss of income.

WISKA UK win IBA’s Supplier of the Year 2023

Thursday 12 September 2023 has seen the IBA host its annual Trade Show and Gala Awards evening. Now in its 30th year, the IBA is an organisation for likeminded, established independent electrical wholesalers with a focus on member driven buying. With over 95 members representing approximately 135 branches across the UK, as well as over 100 preferred suppliers. This year’s event took place at Whittlebury Hall and was a fantastic day of business and networking. The event culminated in a dinner and awards ceremony with entertainment from comedian, Dominic Holland. After the entertainment came the much-anticipated awards ceremony with several categories including Supplier of the Year. The IBA has members across the UK and has group turnover of more than £130 million, making the Supplier of the Year (or SOTY as it’s known) a much sought after accolade for any manufacturer. WISKA UK has picked up two awards on the night, Best Trade Show Stand, and the top gong: IBA Supplier of the Year 2023. Members cast their votes in several categories to determine who the supplier of the year winner is. In another very challenging year, it was huge honour for everyone involved at WISKA UK to be announced as the overall winner. WISKA’s high standard of service, continued customer communication and high-quality products were highlighted by members as one of the many factors when deciding. Managing Director, Will Rich, says, “It’s a tremendous honour to receive this award as voted by the IBA members. We aim to continue to listen and talk with our customers to ensure we offer them the best possible service and products, helping maximise their business. We would like to thank Paul Jenner, the IBA team and all the members for their continued support, we look forward to future success and business together.” Click here for more latest news.