Rolec and Monta join forces to deliver connected EV charge points

Rolec EV and Monta are partnering up to deliver over 20,000 charge points across the UK this year. The partnership will help to drive EV charging infrastructure in the UK, supporting national net zero sustainability goals. As part of the partnership, Rolec’s existing and new domestic and commercial charge point customers will gain access to innovative EV charging software solutions. Together Monta and Rolec will embark on the largest transition of charge points onto Monta’s platform and existing customers will be migrated to Monta’s platform. The Monta platform also enables businesses with electric fleets to stay charged no matter where the driver is. As a result of the partnership, Rolec drivers will have access to thousands of charge points on the Monta network with the ability to be instantly reimbursed for their charge via the Monta wallet. Furthermore, by sponsoring a private domestic charge point, fleet drivers can also automatically be reimbursed for the kWh used to charge the vehicle at home. Frankie Mellon, Sales Director at Rolec, comments, “Having successfully undertaken many commercial projects with Monta throughout 2022, I am pleased to announce our new partnership that will see Rolec provide a uniformed platform now covering domestic, commercial, and public charging, to support our roll-out of existing fleet demand. “Monta is the perfect solution to meet the requirements of our current fleets projects due to be delivered across 2023. The partnership will enhance the Rolec portfolio with added features such as 24/7 support, charger sharing to generate revenue, car integration, smart queue and charge point reservation, dynamic pricing, and fleet wallet. “Drivers using the Monta app will benefit from e-roaming and immediate access to over 280,000 charge points.” Alok Dubey, UK Country Manager of Monta, comments, “We’re excited to bring the Monta platform to new and existing Rolec customers. Both Rolec and Monta share the vision of an interoperable and accessible EV charging network for private homeowners, commercial businesses, and large corporate fleets alike. Rolec’s flexible and reliable charge points are a perfect fit for Monta’s feature rich software, and will ensure an affordable and pain free charging experience for all Rolec customers. “Rolec’s existing and new domestic and commercial charge point customers will benefit from gaining access to Monta’s innovative EV charging software. And as the UK edges closer to achieving net zero goals, partnerships like Rolec Powered by Monta are critical in accelerating progress and driving EV adoption. This is a truly landmark deal for the EV industry.”

10 essential electrical tools to start your career

For National Apprenticeship Week (6 to 12 February 2023) KNIPEX has put together exclusive discount packages, competitions and events for electrical apprentices. Consulting closely with well-known electrician and social media content creator Nick Bundy, and in collaboration with Northern Ireland tool retailer Tool Monster, 10 essential KNIPEX tools have been selected to help kickstart the careers of any apprentice electrician. These 10 tools will be available at a discounted rate for apprentices during February 2023. They will be available individually or in the hand selected kit, which also includes Velocity Pro Gear and Wera screwdrivers. “This year we have reached out to Nick Bundy to find out exactly what tools apprentices will need as they embark on their careers,” says David Barnes, KNIPEX UK’s Marketing Manager. “We want to make these tools as affordable and accessible to apprentices as possible so we have implemented a separate pricing structure for students, and we will be also giving them info, tips and tricks on how to use them through demonstrations at colleges.” To reach apprentices face to face during National Apprentice Week, Nick Bundy and Peter Booth (www.youtube.com/@PBPlumber) are undertaking a tour of five colleges in Northern Ireland in association with Tool Monster, where they will be demonstrating KNIPEX tools to students. A range of discounted tools will also be on offer to lecturers and the colleges themselves. “As well as college tours, apprentices across the UK should also check out our social channels as there will be competitions and giveaways aimed directly at them - it’s a great chance to bag a KNIPEX prize,” continues David. Nick Bundy has put together the following 10 essential tools that apprentices could look to start their career with: 00 11 06 V03 Control Cabinet Key ‘DoubleJoint’: great for opening all kinds of cabinets 03 06 180 Combination Pliers: insulated with multi-component grips, VDE tested 13 86 200 Electrical installation Pliers: VDE tested and perfect for installation work 16 64 125 SB Stripping Tool: for flat and round cable, hand held easy stripping 16 95 01 SB KNIPEX ErgoStrip: universal stripping tool, saving time and money 26 16 200 Snipe Nose Pliers: get into the hard-to-reach areas of electrical installations 70 06 160 Diagonal Cutters: essential cutting tool, VDE tested 87 01 125 KNIPEX Cobra High Tech Water Pump Pliers: a work horse which will never let you down 90 22 10 BK KNIPEX BIX: cutters for plastic pipes and sealing sleeves 95 16 160 KNIPEX StepCut Cable Shears: VDE tested, makes light work of cable preparation

National Apprenticeship Week: tips for aspiring apprentices

This week (6-12 February) is National Apprenticeship Week, and to help aspiring trade apprentices, IronmongeryDirect has created an expert guide including everything to know before applying. What can I get an apprenticeship in? Apprenticeships are available in just about any career choice. Apprenticeships are particularly popular in trade careers because first-hand experience is usually essential to learning more physical, manual or vocational jobs. Who can be an apprentice? If you’re interested in taking the first step towards your trade career, you’ll need to know if an apprenticeship is suitable for your circumstances. In the UK, you have to meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for an apprenticeship: You’ll need to be at least 16 years old You’ll need the right to live and work in England You can’t already be in full-time education You can’t already have a similar job However, that’s not all you’ll need for a successful apprenticeship. Apprenticeships require hard work, dedication, constructive criticism and growth. Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll have to demonstrate that you’re capable of being professional and working well with an employer. You’ll need to be punctual, making sure you attend work and training on time - both your education provider and employer can terminate your apprenticeship if you’re not able to meet the terms of your contract. Apprenticeship levels and qualifications In some apprenticeships, you might pick up additional qualifications along the way - such as diplomas or first aid courses. If you’re still unsure about which apprenticeship level to go for, you could speak to a college or university providing apprenticeships in your chosen trade for more information. Pros and cons of apprenticeships Here are some of the most applicable advantages and disadvantages to this kind of program. Benefits of apprenticeships: You can earn on the job, while learning the skills you need to make your apprenticeship a full-time job in the future You’ll get first-hand experience, and develop your work ethic You’ll learn from experienced workers within your industry You’ll create a professional network You’ll leave with a recognised qualification Employers and educators will know your experience level, and will provide you with everything you need to learn You might be offered full-time employment once your apprenticeship finishes You won’t leave with debt from completing the course Drawbacks of apprenticeships: The national apprenticeship wage is lower than that of standard workers You’ll have to commit to attending both your workplace and your educational institute You might not go to university or college, which could make it difficult if you’d like to swap careers later in life Sometimes it can be more difficult to find an apprenticeship than other traditional courses and qualifications Finding an apprenticeship Pinning down and reviewing apprenticeships can seem overwhelming at first, but here’s three sure-fire ways to find your next career opportunity. Search online One of the easiest ways to find an apprenticeship is simply by taking a look online. You can take a look at an abundance of apprenticeships on the government website, or standard job boards like Indeed and Totaljobs. Here, you’ll be able to find out more about the courses, and whether they’re suitable for you. Speak to an education provider If you’ve decided on an apprenticeship, you can actually approach a college or university directly to find out what they have to offer. You can also ask education providers more about the course, and whether or not it’ll get you moving in the right direction. Contact employers, agencies and recruiters directly If you already have an idea of where you’d like to work, you can get in touch with employers directly. Plus, direct enquiries demonstrate drive and interest, which can really help you to get a foot in the door. You can also find apprenticeships through recruiters and agencies. How to get an apprenticeship Once you’ve found an apprenticeship you’re interested in, it’s time to get everything sorted for a successful application. Apprentice applications are similar to those of regular employees, but don’t forget - there’s usually plenty of competition. Sort out your CV and cover letter Firstly, you’ll need a good CV that sums up your experience to date. Make sure you include some information about yourself, your educational history, employment history (if you have one), and details about any previous work experience. You’ll also need to prepare a cover letter to summarise why you’d like to do an apprenticeship in this field, with this employer. Make an application While you may have everything down in detail on your CV and cover letter, most apprenticeships will require you to fill out an application form too. You’ll need to carefully answer questions in good written form and represent yourself as the perfect candidate. If you can, have someone else review your application when you’re done to highlight any areas that could do with a little more work - most applications allow you to save your progress to come back later. Interview preparation If your CV, cover letter and application get you to the interviewing stage, it’s a good idea to get in some interview prep to build your confidence and help you plan good responses. You can look online and find mock questions to answer, or you could even ask someone to interview you a few times as practice. Again, you can find plenty of helpful resources online, from educational facilities or employment organisations.

Announcing Recolight’s remanufacturing conference

Clients are warming to the concept of reconditioned lights to achieve both sustainability goals and cost savings. And now tenders are beginning to emerge which specify that the reconditioning and reuse of luminaires is an option in a project. This conference will take participants through the opportunities and the challenges, and equip and inspire them for their remanufacturing journey. The one-day Recolight conference is focused on the remanufacture of lighting equipment. It will take place in London on 27 April 2023 from 10:30 - 16:00. “Remanufacturing is set to be a fast-growing area of the lighting industry as customers increasingly ask for the option of upgraded products,” says conference Chair, Ray Molony. “We're seeing in the tech industry the rapid de-stigmatisation of reconditioned products, and attitudes are rapidly changing.” Aimed at manufacturers, suppliers and specifiers, the presentations will give delegates vital insights to help drive their businesses forward, and ensure they stay at the forefront of the sustainable lighting revolution. This CPD-approved event will give participants the tools, insights, and contacts to make a success of luminaire reconditioning and reuse. They’ll learn how to sell the concept of reconditioned lights, develop best practice policies, comply with the applicable standards, set up a testing regime for reused luminaires, and remanufacture fittings at scale. The gathering will also spread inspiration from ‘real world’ projects, which prove that remanufacturing can be a success for everyone. They will also meet key players in the remanufacturing industry network and specifiers with the power to get their products into projects. Early confirmed speakers include Simon Fisher, Director, F Mark and founding partner of The Regen Initiative; Kevin Stubbs FSLL, Technical Sales Manager at Llumarlite and BSI committee member; Tom Ruddell, Lead Remanufacture Engineer at EGG Lighting; David Clements, Chief Executive of FUTURE Designs; Andrew Nixon, Design and Development Director of Gamma Illuminatio and Darrell West, Managing Director at Eco Fix and founding partner of The Regen Initiative. Nigel Harvey, Recolight CEO says, “Recolight operate as a not-for-profit compliance scheme. We are on a mission to recycle less lighting, but to reuse far more. All too often, recycling is the easy option - but frequently it does not produce the best environmental outcomes. We are committed to working with our partners throughout the lighting industry to move towards a sustainable, Circular Economy model. The low attendance cost reflects this, and is set to cover administration and venue hire.”

Could you be crowned Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2023?

Applications are now open for Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2023, with the entry period closing on Sunday 19 February. The competition is back for its 9th year and coincides with National Apprenticeship Week, shining a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. The Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2023 champion will receive the coveted title and a career-boosting trade bundle worth £10,000, including £5,000 of tools, a £3,000 training budget, and £2,000 worth of technology - everything a future tradesperson may need to start up their own business. What’s more, the champion’s college will receive £2,000 worth of Screwfix vouchers to spend on workshop equipment, helping to provide outstanding services for tomorrow’s trade professionals. Alex Avis, 26 from Nottingham, won the Screwfix Trade Apprentice title in 2022. An apprentice in carpentry and joinery, Alex switched career from an office to a building site and his passion for the industry and the people working in it came across loud and clear. He says, “Winning Screwfix Trade Apprentice has provided me with a fantastic platform to share my positive experiences working in the trade. While the tools, tech and training prize has really helped me towards my ambition of running my own business. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and I highly recommend applying.” Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix says, “We are incredibly excited to bring back Screwfix Trade Apprentice for 2023, as we search for exciting new talent in the industry. Every year we meet apprentices who are passionate, dedicated and absolutely committed to delivering the highest standard of work in their chosen trade and I’m sure this year will be no different. “I’m looking to forward to seeing the applications and would encourage those with passion, dedication and that ‘go above and beyond’ to apply. We’ve seen first-hand the massive difference this accolade and the prize bundle can make to a trade apprentice’s career. We can’t wait to crown our 2023 champion!” Entry to Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2023 is completely free and open to all apprentices who are enrolled at college, either have a part-time placement with an employer or are a full-time college student. Apprentices can apply themselves or be nominated by their college or employer. All applicants must be over the age of 16. To find out more, visit: screwfix.com/sfta

New generation will be crucial to a net zero future

As National Apprenticeship Week begins, a heating and hot water industry leader is highlighting the progress that must be made to encourage more young people into the industry. With government mandates for greenhouse gas emission reduction looming, concern around the lack of new talent entering the heating engineering and manufacturing sector, and preventing net zero progress, is mounting. Creating an appealing and accessible pathway into engineering for the next generation of heating professionals will be key to ensuring the gap is closed. Apprenticeships, either with manufacturers or through the network of heating engineers in the UK, will be critical. Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Baxi UK and Ireland, explains, “We know that low carbon technologies like heat pumps, heat networks, hybrid systems and hydrogen appliances will all be needed to decarbonise heat in the UK. Yet what happens if there is no one to research, develop, manufacture and, crucially, install and maintain the systems into the future? “Our current population of heating engineers is said to have an average age of over 50, so it’s clear that a younger talent pool is needed to sustain the industry’s future and keep up with customer demand. Apprenticeships with attractive wages and opportunities to develop into a long, rewarding career in such a dynamic sector need to be highlighted to school leavers. Beyond that there must be support for taking on apprentices for installers across the UK to give the engineering students the hands-on experience they need to qualify.” To play its part in equipping the next generation with skills, Baxi currently employs 37 apprentices across different parts of its business. It has also provided support for Baxi Approved Installers to take on apprentices and continues to partner with colleges across the UK to support budding installers. Alex Mather, a degree apprentice at Baxi, says, “My apprenticeship at Baxi provides me with real-world insight and understanding of industry that is the perfect complement to my studies at the University of Central Lancashire. In the last four and a half years, I’ve worked in almost all sectors of the site at Preston, developing new skills, meeting a huge variety of people and am currently working in the crucial role of ERP Data Management. The range of experience I am gaining is simply invaluable.” Baxi also believes it is important to drive interest in engineering at an early age so is taking steps to work on school projects, such as Primary Engineer. The project gives teachers the skills and equipment to run fun and engaging engineering classes for their pupils, with the hope that they will be inspired to pursue a career in engineering later on. Karen adds, “We recognise that inspiring the heating and engineering apprentices of the future needs to start at a very early age, with support from parents, teachers and even lecturers along the way. If policymakers and businesses can join forces in supporting the next generation throughout qualification and into successful careers, that will put us in a much stronger position to decarbonise heat. With a raft of exciting technologies in development, there has never been a better time to attract the younger generation to the heating industry.”

New oval bulkheads from Ovia

Ovia has expanded its range of bulkheads to include the company’s first fully integrated oval shaped LED bulkheads. VELO is the name given to the new range of 15W CTA switchable oval bulkheads, which are available in a white or black finish. The VELO bulkheads are IP65 rated as standard, or IP54 rated with the PIR version. They are CTA Switchable in the following colour temperatures - 3000K, 4000K and 6500K. The CTA switch is located inside the six-screw terminal housing on the rear of the luminaire.

Ansell Lighting unveils Mercurial

Stylishly and discreetly designed, Mercurial is a brand-new wall and ceiling light from Ansell Lighting. Available in two different sizes, 370mm and 500mm, the circular LED light is suitable for an array of indoor applications including education, commercial and ancillary areas. It also comes in both white and silver finishes, suiting most interior design schemes. Supporting the reduction of energy use, Ansell’s latest offering is said to be highly energy efficient, delivering up to 135lm/w. The 370mm Mercurial model is also power selectable, offering users a choice of outputs which can be manually selected via an easily located integrated switch. CCT selectable between 3,000K and 4,000K, Mercurial offers users a choice of different lighting hues which can be set according to task or preference. Its long-lasting LED lamp also has a lifespan of L80 51,000 hours. Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting says, “Mercurial is a versatile new addition to our range of wall and ceiling lights. Energy efficient, stylishly designed and with many functional features, it is an ideal option for buildings in public use.” With functionality at the core of Ansell’s design objectives, the new Mercurial light is available with an array of options. These include emergency DALI and self-test options, alongside an energy saving microwave sensor, digital dimming and corridor function options. Enabling integration with smart lighting systems, Mercurial is also available with OCTO functionality. All products come with a seven-year warranty.

#SkillsForLife in the electrotechnical industry with the JIB

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, taking place 6-12 February 2023, the JIB and ECS are highlighting the career rewards from completing an electrotechnical apprenticeship. With smart technology, the Internet of Things and a low carbon future becoming part of everyday life, exciting career opportunities in the electrotechnical industry are not far away. An apprenticeship is the ideal opportunity to get the skills, knowledge and experience to set people in the industry on course to a bright future. National Apprenticeship Week celebrates the achievements of apprentices around the country and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses and the wider economy. The week has something for everyone, with individuals, employers, training providers and communities getting involved to show apprenticeships are the way to gain #SkillsForLife. According to published figures from The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership, companies that recruit electrical apprentices can see a return on investment as early as year two of the apprenticeship programme. For employers looking at apprenticeships, there is of information on how to get started with employing an apprentice. The JIB works with more than 60 apprenticeship and training providers to register apprentices under industry recognised frameworks for training and promotion of career progression and employment standards. This means you can be assured the apprentice is on the right track to become skilled and qualified and obtain their ECS gold card - the ultimate recognition of a skilled status. An ECS apprentice card is a reflection that a person is expanding their skillset and knowledge, and on the right path to obtaining a gold card. Jay Parmar, Chief Executive of the JIB says, “Individuals of any age can reach their career goals by building their skills and knowledge through an apprenticeship. You’ll earn while you learn and train to industry standards, building your skills and knowledge over time. Whether you’re interested in fire and security, building controls, network infrastructure or digital support, an apprenticeship will set you on your way.”

Ovia adds Burgess Brackets to Backlit LED Panel range

Ovia continues to invest in its growing lighting solutions and has added new Burgess Brackets to its panel lighting accessories range. Designed for fitting backlit panels into Burgess ceilings, the new brackets are compatible with all Ovia Backlit LED Panels - they simply fit to the rear of the panels, allowing the panels to be secured into burgess ceilings. Made from powder coated steel, with an IP20 rating, the Burgess Brackets measure 560mm (L) by 16mm (W) by 25.5 (H), and have six fixing points. They are supplied in packs of two and come with a five-year warranty.