ARMD and Van Guard team up to protect tradespeople

ARMD and Van Guard have announced a new partnership designed to help prevent and protect tradespeople against tool theft and van crime. The partnership brings together Van Guard’s range of van security products with ARMD’s smart insurance and fast digital claims. Van crime has a significant impact on the UK’s tradespeople and their businesses. The consequences of stolen tools include loss of earnings and reputation, letting down customers and high cost of tool replacement. The price of replacing tools can be extremely high, with an average loss per break in being around £3,500. “With a van broken into every 19 minutes in the UK, equating to more than £30m worth of goods stolen annually from vans alone, the partnership between ARMD and Van Guard makes perfect sense for tradespeople looking to protect their tools, van and ultimately their business,” says Duncan Jackson, Co-Founder of ARMD. “For over 30 years we’ve been providing high-quality van accessories and security products,” explains Emlyn Harris, Managing Director of Van Guard. “We’ve helped many companies reduce their risk of van crime and improve the safety of their van and fleet, and we’re now proud to be partnering with ARMD on this important initiative. They share our commitment to reducing the incidence of van crime in the UK and we’re looking forward to working together in the future.” Seven ways Van Guard and ARMD can help prevent and protect against tool theft: Van Guard offers security products including locks and shielding, preventing and deterring thieves The ULTILock range includes the first Gold Standard Sold Secure hooklock, which is also Secured by Design accredited ARMD offers a free Tool Inventory app to record and insure your tools ARMD Insurance provides tradespeople with dedicated tool protection and makes fast, digital claims really easy and hassle free Utilisation of the ARMD app means it can easily see what tools belong to a tradesperson, avoiding any disputes when making a claim The ARMD GUARD watches over movement in the back of your van, alerting you with a phone call if a break in occurs You can easily replace any stolen tools in ARMD’s tool shop

SkillELECTRIC UK champion announced

Craig Fairweather, 23, has been named 2022 SkillELECTRIC champion following a challenging two-day UK final event at Middlesbrough College. Employed by McDonald & Munro in Moray, Scotland, and trained by Moray College and SECTT, Craig excelled in a complicated task to install a range of first and second fix items including PVC/PVC surface clipping, plastic conduit, trunking and fireproof cable. Taking second place and a silver medal was Andrew Horne of A. Campbell Electrical Services, Lews Castle College and SECTT. Third place and a bronze medal was awarded to Tommy Adlam of MMES 2012 Ltd and Bridgwater & Taunton College. A special ‘Highly Commended’ mention went to Lyam Thorpe from the College of West Anglia and DJB Electrical Services for an excellent performance alongside the three medal winners. In a first for this year, competitors were able to get hands-on with smart lighting and controls through wiring and operating Scolmore’s ClickSmart+ system, which allowed them to witness how future installations may look and the capabilities of smart systems. Judges had to assess how well the competitors performed in areas such as measuring accuracy (within 2mm), horizontal and vertical alignment, electrical terminations, functionality, containment symmetry, inspection, testing and safe working practices, including application of health and safety requirements. All finalists received a range of fantastic prizes including cable cutters and keylight from CK Tools, a voltage tester and proving unit from Megger; a Wiring Regulations book, lock-off kit and DeWalt cordless drill from the NICEIC and a Scolmore goodie bag containing various Click products from the Aquip, Deco, Polar and Metal Clad wiring accessories range, a Unicrimp product bundle, an ESP Fort Smart Security Kit and a variety of merchandise. As the winner, Craig also received a Megger Multi-Function Tester, an iPad from the NICEIC and a prize bundle of a 10-piece Electricians Tool Kit with Rucksack, MightyRod Pro Cable Rod Kit, Automatic Wire Stipper, Voltage Detector and Trimming Knife from Electric Center, which also donated prizes for the second and third place winners. SkillELECTRIC is organised by industry charity National Electrotechnical Training (NET) with support from Scolmore Group, Electric Center and the NICEIC. Alex Robinson, NICEIC Technical Training Developer, judged competitors at the national heats and the UK final. “I think the old proverb ‘more haste, less speed’ can help to sum up Craig's performance in the competition. He had a plan, which gave him a clear focus from the off. He executed his plan at a pace that allowed him to complete the task within the time constraints without compromising the quality of his work,” says Alex. Craig received the good news after watching the WorldSkills UK live results broadcast. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet to be honest, it was very nerve-wracking waiting for the electrical results to come up, and when it eventually did I was even more nervous once the bronze and silver medals were ready out!” says Craig. “But I was over the moon when my name was read out for the gold medal, it’s a great honour to win the UK final. “It’s definitely been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, everyone at home is extremely proud of the work I’ve done to get to this point and I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of them.”

UK Power Networks takes centre stage for Theatreland engagement

Keeping the community informed about a £15m electricity project beneath Leicester Square in London has won the dedicated project team a best-in-class national award. The 23rd Energy Institute (EI) Awards ceremony took place in London, celebrating a diverse range of talent from across the energy sector. UK Power Networks won the Public Engagement Award. The £15m upgrade of the company’s underground Leicester Square substation will ensure reliable power supplies for the area and extra capacity for the future. More than 250,000 people visit Leicester Square daily and the company worked with the Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA), the Society of London Theatre, and Westminster City Council to help ensure business and tourism could continue to thrive during the work. Innovative ways of working saw UK Power Networks use a ‘megalift’ self-loading trailer for the first time to reduce each new transformer’s delivery time by four weeks and work closely with local business and community groups to offer them unprecedented insights into the project’s progress. The site had interactive hoardings, selfie spots, online video updates, and hosted underground tours for about 150 visitors. A youth training scheme was also run by the project team to help lift 16-19-year-olds and their families out of fuel poverty towards the national levelling up agenda. Jason Gunning, Project Manager at UK Power Networks, says, “The entire team are enormously proud and honoured to have our inspirational work recognised by the Energy Institute judging panel. From the outset, we decided to dedicate a lot of time and effort to engaging with the community and stakeholders of Leicester Square, recognising that it would be key to the success of the project. Juliet Davenport OBE, President of the Energy Institute, adds, “Among the energy sector’s workforce, the EI Awards celebrates those - such as UK Power Network’s influential Leicester Square project - who are doing incredible things to push this sector forward and out of these turbulent times. “The global energy transition will need to be centred around people, and in particular - highly skilled people, who will need the support of training and professional development to keep up with the pace we need to work at.”

One in five UK tradespeople to work Christmas Day

More than a fifth (21%) of UK tradespeople will be working on Christmas Day this year due to the cost of living crisis, new research has revealed. The study by IronmongeryDirect asked workers across the nation about their festive plans and almost a third (31%) said that they are taking less time off this Christmas than in previous years. In fact, almost two in five (39%) feel that they will have to work on at least one of the bank holidays - Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day. This is mainly due to finances, with nearly one in five (19%) tradespeople unable to afford as many days off as they used to. Some trades are more likely than others to be working on Christmas Day. Over a quarter of carpenters feel that they’ll need to work on the 25th, followed by electricians (25%). The UK tradespeople most likely to be working on Christmas Day are: # Trade % 1 Carpenter 29% 2 Electrician 25% 3 Building Surveyor 25% 4 Roofer 25% 5 Joiner 24% 6 Plasterer 24% 7 Builder 22% 8 Window Fabricator 21% 9 Plumber 21% 10 Landscaper 21% 11 Painter Decorator 12% 12 Bricklayer 12% Age is also a factor, as younger workers are far more likely to work all the way through the festive season. More than a third of millennial (35%, 25-34s) tradespeople say they’ll be doing jobs on Christmas Day, just ahead of Gen Z (30%, 18-24s). On average, tradespeople say they're planning on taking five days off this December. However, they’re unlikely to be able to fully relax, as one in six (17%) say that their friends and family have already got jobs lined up for them to do around the house. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, says, “It’s been an incredibly tough couple of years for tradespeople, and the cost of living crisis is yet another challenge facing the industry and its workforce. “Sadly then, it’s perhaps unsurprising that so many feel unable to take much time off this Christmas, but it’s important that after such a relentless 2022, tradespeople get the break they deserve. Wherever possible, we would urge workers to push jobs back slightly and take the time to rest and be with their loved ones.”

London Eye turns green for ‘Green Friday’

On 25 November, ‘Green Friday’ - a different perspective on the traditional Black Friday shopping day - The Kensa Group & Merlin Entertainments will turn the lastminute.com London Eye green as a symbol of the UK’s aspirations for a Green & Great Britain. The London Eye is a zero-carbon electric facility and will be turned green using 100% LED lighting, creating an iconic symbol of the impact of embracing sustainability. As the cost-of-living crisis converges with the climate crisis, Kensa and Merlin are calling for everyone in society to collaborate to help secure a greener and more positive future. The Kensa Group has launched a plan to help the UK reach net zero by 2050 through the rapid decarbonisation of heating and cooling with networked heat pumps. The plan was delivered at the House of Commons on 24 November, to an audience of MPs, government bodies and other influential individuals, asking them to work together and take action to make Great Britain Green. The plan will: Deliver affordable heating for the masses Drastically reduce carbon emissions Significantly improve air quality Boost British manufacturing Create almost one million jobs Improve the nation’s energy security Reduce reliance on exposure to foreign markets Reduce demand on the electricity grid Be achieved for the lowest societal cost and least investment Dr Matt Trewhella, CEO of The Kensa Group comments,“To become a Green and Great Britain we need to think consciously about all our choices and how they can impact our progress towards net zero and support British-made goods, services and experiences. We need to do more to champion green growth which will help boost our economy and create thousands of green jobs right here in Britain. “Green Friday is a great time for reflection and an opportunity for consumers, businesses and government to question what they are doing to help us on the road to net zero.” Merlin Entertainments is demonstrating how the visitor attraction sector can lead the way in protecting our planet, with sustainability being at the heart of the company’s plans for the future both in the UK and around the world. The lastminute.com London Eye is a prime example, using 100% LED lighting and as a zero carbon electricity facility, as well as other examples across the UK including bringing forward plans for solar energy generation; installing electric vehicle charging in on-site car parks and ensuring new buildings and replacement equipment result in minimal energy consumption.

Flex appeal: Octopus Energy customers join second Saving Session

Hundreds of thousands of Octopus Energy customers participated in its second energy reduction session whilst helping balance the grid, preliminary results have revealed. The new Saving Sessions scheme is enabled by National Grid ESO’s new Demand Flexibility Service which allows households to get paid for shifting their energy usage out of peak times. Over 200,000 households took part in the first session conducted on 15 November. And 94% of those households also took part in the second session on 22 November between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Collectively Octopus Energy’s customers reduced their energy demand by 112MW in the second session, lowering demand on the grid by 4% compared to the first session. Together they delivered the equivalent to all the households in Leicester going off-grid for an hour. On average, households received over £1 for the energy they shifted out of this one hour, with the top 5% of participants earning an average of £4.77. Combined with the earnings from the first session, the top 5% of participants were paid an average of £9. Across the two first test sessions, Octopus customers got paid over £525,000 collectively for providing flexibility to the grid. There will be a minimum of 10 more test sessions coming up over the winter, with more opportunities for customers to save money. Top participants will be able to earn over £100 in total. Eight out of 10 people who joined both sessions had a positive experience, and 95% would recommend it to a friend. Participating customers who took part in a survey following the first two sessions said they made simple changes to their behaviour. The most popular tip shared was cooking dinner at a different time, followed by going out for a walk and reading a book. The impressive results come as the government announces a new public information campaign on how to save energy this winter aimed at slashing bills and helping to free the country from the grip of global gas prices. Alex Schoch, Head of Flexibility at Octopus Energy, says, “We are thrilled by these first results. By cooking tea, a bit later or taking the dog for a walk, people could save a pound or two. The savings may be small, but just like the 20% off a pack of sausages in the supermarket, it all adds up. “We are proud to have pioneered this trailblazing scheme which has the power to change the face of the grid forever, making energy cleaner and cheaper for everyone.” More than 420,000 customers of Octopus’ 1.4 million eligible electric smart meter customers have already signed up to the scheme, which is running from November to March next year and is still accepting new sign ups.

Apprenticeships and electrical training are key on the journey to net zero

Scotland’s largest construction trade association says the electrical talent of tomorrow needs a thorough grounding in all aspects of installation – not just the green technology that will help on the journey to net zero. Fiona Harper, Director of Employment and Skills at SELECT, insists it is essential for would-be electricians to follow the traditional apprenticeship route and undergo full training, not just try to specialise in low carbon areas. Fiona also said funding was essential to continue the pipeline of electrical talent and attract more people into the UK construction sector, which is predicted to face a shortfall of 250,000 workers by 2026. Speaking on the Clive Holland Show on Fix Radio, Fiona said, “The country and the industry needs apprenticeships and full-blown electricians. But what we don’t need is people who come in and can only install solar PV or EV charging units - that doesn’t work in electrical installation. “Electricians need the foundational knowledge to apply their holistic knowledge and skills to install any technology correctly and safely, whatever it may be. “That’s not to say they might not need some upskilling in certain specialisms, but we don’t need the ‘six-week wonders’ and we’ve worked with the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland to really try to get that message across.” Fiona, who is also The Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), said the industry was eager to support apprenticeships to help plug the skills gap - but financial backing was also needed at Scottish Government level to achieve the necessary numbers. She says, “We are an employer-led industry, so if an employer says they would like an apprentice, we go out of our way to supply one through the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT). “However, we need government funding to do this as we have no employer levy. Instead, we do a lot through time and talent to support what we know is a good system.” Fiona’s comments came after SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson also appeared on the national station for the building sector to stress the importance of proper training and SELECT’s ongoing campaign for the regulation of the electrical industry in Scotland.

ARMD announces new partnership with Powered Now

ARMD has announced a partnership with Powered Now, the app that lets you run your trade business on the go. The partnership brings all the benefits of the ARMD platform to users of the Powered Now app at a special membership rate, and is the latest in a series of high-profile partnerships announced by ARMD. “The synergies with Powered Now are obvious as we are both platforms designed to help the busy tradesperson get on with running their business,” says Duncan Jackson, Co-Founder of ARMD.  “We are partnering with some of the biggest names in the trade as more and more in the industry find that ARMD gives them peace of mind and a quick way to replace stolen tools if the worst happens.” “Seemingly every week the latest grim statistics on the scale of tool theft across the UK are released,” says Benjamin Dyer, Founder and CEO of Powered Now. “It is now at epidemic proportions and thefts are even happening in broad daylight, with thieves drilling the locks on van doors or cutting and ‘peeling’ back the sides of vans to access the load bay. Despite the grim statistics on tool thefts, Powered Now members can now protect their businesses easily with ARMD.” ARMD allows you to quickly and simply claim digitally through an app and website if you have recorded your tools in the inventory - which is free to use. Essentially there are just four simple steps. Record the tools you own, how much they are worth and any receipts of purchase. This will make it so much easier to claim if a theft occurs. Protect your tools and van with smart security products, tested by the trade Insure yourself with a dedicated tools policy that will enable you to replace what you have lost. You can insure your tools for as little as £56 a year with ARMD. Replace your tools quickly thanks to a quick insurance pay out and get back to work.

Mayor of Swindon opens Develop Training’s newest training centre

Develop Training has officially opened the doors to its newest training centre in Swindon, with the Mayor of Swindon attending the opening to carry out the ribbon cutting ceremony. The new centre is located at Unit 3 Richmond House, Edison Park. With centres opening in Birmingham, Ashford, Norfolk and Brentwood, and both the York and Derby centres undergoing extensive refurbishment, 2022 has been one of the busiest years in the company’s 50-year history. All of Develop Training’s centres are purpose-built and set out to recreate real life working environments. Councillor Abdul Amin, Mayor of Swindon, says, “It is fantastic to see such a top-class facility in Swindon, it is a privilege to be able to officially open the centre and gain a greater understanding of the courses provided by Develop Training, who have operated in the area for over 10 years. Having this new state-of-the -art centre will create many new opportunities and I wish the whole team at Develop the best of luck for the future”. John Kerr, Managing Director, Develop Training, says, “The continued investment in our people, equipment, premises and resources have ensured we maintain growth and continue to expand our nationwide training provision throughout 2022 and beyond. We are really looking forward to seeing our customers enjoy the benefits of our latest new centre in Swindon. “Our new centre in Swindon will mean that even more courses are now made available to our customers, including gas training, multi utility, water waste networks and our new confined spaces offering. This is an exciting time for Develop Training, and we are committed to ensuring we're able to offer training of the highest quality in locations that are convenient for our clients.”

JTL seeks to help employers access £3bn of unused training funds

JTL is spreading the word on how Apprenticeship Levy funds can be transferred between employers to help pay for apprenticeship training. The Apprenticeship Levy is a government mandated levy that must be paid by any company with a payroll of over £3 million. It asks that these companies contribute 0.5% of their annual payroll to a levy for taking on apprentices. However, employers often don’t use all of the Apprenticeship Levy that they are obliged to pay, leaving a reported £3.3 billion of levy funds unspent since 2019. As such, JTL is reminding levy-paying employers that they can transfer up to 25% of their paid, but unused, levy funds to another employer for use in support of their apprentice training. Similarly, employers looking to receive a levy payment can request funding directly from another employer or from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). These funds could go towards the training of an apprentice provided by JTL, wherein an employer can receive a new member of their workforce that is supported and managed by a dedicated JTL training officer. Companies that hire apprentices can increase the efficiency of their business through the onboarding of modern techniques taught to the learners during the practical qualification training that JTL provides them. If the learners are between 16-18, the entirety of this training can be paid for with levy funds. Clair Bradley, Head of Funding at JTL, says, “The scale of the untapped levy fund shows just how huge the potential support for employers taking on apprentices truly is. “Since levy payments are an unavoidable cost for large employers, at JTL we felt it essential to remind businesses about the ability to transfer their unused funds, as it could end up being a great asset for other companies looking to spend on apprentice training.”