Innovation Week Awards 2022 winner announced

7 - 11 November saw the return of Inside Housing’s Innovation Week, with Raven Housing Trust announced as the Innovation Week Award winner for its use of digital systems to improve asset management and resident communication. Sponsored by Aico, the virtual conference was designed to celebrate innovation within the social housing sector, bringing together housing professionals to highlight how technology could change the industry for the better. There were five webinars throughout the week, each highlighting the different ways in which innovation can improve social housing, as well as addressing the potential challenges. Topics included digital engagement with residents, how to build a culture of innovation, creating revenue as well as social benefit, and innovation through co-design. The event concluded with the announcement of this year’s Innovation Week Award winner - Raven Housing Trust, a social housing provider in Redhill, Surrey. The award is designed to recognise a social housing organisation using technology and the IoT to improve the lives of residents, solve problems and deliver genuine benefits for communities. Raven Housing Trust currently uses software that assists its colleagues to create asset management plans. Within its entry, the housing provider explained its goal of developing this software further, to enable it to share its asset management plans with customers via an online portal. Raven Housing Trust will use the solution to increase resident communication surrounding asset management and improve customer service. Raven Housing Trust will receive £10,000 of funding to further support its innovation initiative and a full day of consultancy with Aico’s product development team to help them develop their idea further. Chris Jones, CEO of HomeLINK, was a judge of Innovation Week 2022 alongside a panel of industry experts, including Nick Aitkin, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Housing, Martin Hilditch, Editor of Inside Housing, Annette Pass, Head of Innovation at National Highways, Marlene Price, resident and Former Director of the Association of Retained Council Housing and Gavin Smart, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing. With six outstanding entries in the final, Chris comments, "Raven Housing Trust did fantastically well to win this year's Innovation Award as all the finalists were exceptional. This year the judges decided that they wanted the prize money to go to a project that would accelerate technology adoption in the sector and also directly impact people's lives." The other finalists on the shortlist were Onward Homes, Places for People, RHP Group and Thorngate Churcher Trust.

Industry group updates the ECS Electrical Safety Unit

The Construction Leadership Council introduced requirements in 2015 for CSCS partner schemes as part of the government’s construction 2025 strategy. This includes a number of requirements that the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) has to meet as a CSCS partner scheme, including the need to have a qualification or assessment which meets minimum industry standards. Along with new digital technologies developed through this, such as CSCS Smart Check and the ECS Check systems, there has also been an industry wide push to upskill the industry and to ensure people are suitably qualified and competent for the roles they are doing. One of the changes for ECS as a result of this was the introduction of the ECS Electrical Safety Unit in 2018. This assessment was developed to provide a basic knowledge assessment for those dealing with electrotechnical systems and was brought in as a flexible and cost effective way to meet the requirements for minimum qualification and assessment standards for ECS Related Discipline and other defined card types. The assessment covers the essential safety aspects for electrotechnical work in specialised occupations and questions are based around safe working of electrotechnical trades carrying out associated installation works, and an emphasis on ensuring electrical installation work is carried out by a suitably qualified ECS card holder. Concerned by a potential lack of clarity in the wording of some questions and lower than expected pass rates, the Joint Industry Board (JIB) contacted industry representatives to review the question banks and ensure the questions were correct, properly constructed, and clear for users. The industry group reviewed the question banks and delegate guide. This resulted in a number of questions being removed as out of scope, some questions amended for clarity, and others modified for appropriate level. The pass rate for the assessment has also been set at 70% to be more in line with the expectations of industry on assessments of this type. The new question bank went live in late October 2022 and pass marks have improved with more positive feedback on the level and relevance of the questions. Further promotion of the relevant training for the Electrical Safety Unit will be ongoing. There are no additional question categories and the training being provided already covered the necessary scope for this update, so there are no changes needed in training delivery. This process was to ensure the right level, scope and clarity of the questions. Thanks go to CEDIA, Institute of Sound, Communication and Visual Engineers (ISCVE), Schneider Electric, Torpedo Factory Group, BGEN, J Brand, Navigator Productions and Learning Lounge for providing feedback and ongoing review for the question bank and support for the scheme. Matt Nimmons, Managing Director, CEDIA EMEA, says, “Together we have achieved a positive outcome that will help increase ECS card adoption in line with the government’s construction strategy to promote site safety and ensure that our members are suitably qualified and competent for the roles they are fulfilling on site.” Neil Voce MInstSCVE, President for ISCVE, comments, “We felt the JIB really listened when we approached them, and their revisions to the electrical safety assessment questions make them really pertinent for the sectors our members work in.” Andy Reakes, JIB and ECS Head of Growth, who led this update, explains, “This type of industry led process is essential for the continued raising of standards in the electrotechnical sector, so that industry and end users have clear visibility on the expectations for qualified and competent personnel working throughout the built environment. We will be continuing to update frameworks across the audio visual and smart home space as part of the work to define sector specific competence frameworks and look forward to building strong partnerships with similar organisations to collectively improve education, safety and productivity.”

JTL announces new Chair and CEO

JTL has announced the appointment of both a new Chair, Sir John Low, and a new CEO, Chris Claydon. John joined JTL in his new role on 1 November 2022. John brings with him over 20 years of experience in a commercial background of technology and engineering, as well as extensive periods in the charity sector as Chief Executive for both the Charities Aid Foundation and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People. Chris joins JTL as its new CEO on 6 February 2023. Chris, with a background of public service, is currently Chief Executive of the ECITB, the skills, standards, and qualifications body for the development of the UK’s engineering construction workforce. Prior to this, Chris spent 30 years with the army overseeing strategy, large-scale operations, and transformations. Regarding his new appointment, John says, “It is a privilege to join JTL as Chair at this time and I look forward to working with the excellent team and, building on the past, to continue to grow and develop this remarkably effective charity. “It is hard to underestimate the impact JTL has had on the trade industries of this country, and on the lives of so many people, improving skills and creating new career opportunities that benefit individuals, their families, and communities all around the country.” Chris adds, “I am delighted to be taking on the role of CEO at JTL. JTL has an enviable reputation and I am looking forward to building on this and helping JTL achieve its vision of becoming the training organisation of choice for the building services engineering sector. “Demand for a skilled workforce to deliver the nation’s infrastructure and house building ambitions has never been stronger and is set to grow further. The services provided by JTL are vital for that growth and I am looking forward to working closely with employers to ensure we deliver the skilled people they need, bringing in talent from all corners of society to build a diverse and productive workforce.”

Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure becomes WiredScore accredited

WiredScore is adding Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure to its accredited solutions. The accreditation will enable Schneider Electric to align its technology with SmartScore global certification guides, supporting businesses in meeting their modern smart building standards. Supporting smart building standards globally Smart buildings provide real-time data analytics which allow decision makers to make informed choices to improve the sustainability, efficiency and resiliency of buildings whilst also providing a better occupant experience. Currently, there is a lack of clarity on how the real estate industry can best integrate data and digital solutions to deliver sustainability targets and create smart, connected buildings. WiredScore has launched its Accredited Solutions accreditation to support technology providers in demonstrating the value of smart digital solutions for the building sector. The standards aim to help businesses achieve their SmartScore targets in a time and cost-efficient manner. EcoStruxure, the foundational technology backbone on which Schneider Electric solutions are built and delivered, has become one of the first to receive this accreditation from WiredScore. This seal of approval will demonstrate how the implementation of Schneider’s products, technologies and software can support future-ready smart buildings. Forward-thinking leaders in the building sector The accreditation will deliver globally recognised standards that better demonstrate the value of investments in smart technology for commercial buildings. Schneider’s solutions, such as Building Advisor and Resource Advisor, will enable user functionalities such as better air quality, optimised comfort, more precise energy reporting, e-mobility charging, and predictive maintenance. The announcement continues Schneider Electric’s work in delivering smart digital solutions that enable businesses to create smart, green, healthy spaces. Kas Mohammed, VP of Digital Energy at Schneider Electric says, “We are excited to start this journey with WiredScore and for EcoStruxure to be one of the first accredited solutions launched. As we know, the built environment holds immense potential to digitally transform how we efficiently manage the consumption of energy and drive the reduction of carbon emissions on a global scale. This initiative is a great step forward in helping our clients understand the value their investment in digital technologies can deliver. “Partnerships and the sharing of knowledge are vital to reaching sustainability goals. We see that this first step is one of many in a rewarding journey that will enable WiredScore and Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure platform to illustrate how real estate and smart technologies can be linked and in doing so make a significant move towards carbon neutrality.” Arie Barendrecht, the Founder and CEO of WiredScore, states, “We are really excited to be launching our Accredited Solutions offering to the market, to build a bridge between real estate and technology, enabling landlords and the technology solutions that serve them to connect seamlessly. “Since launching SmartScore - our smart building certification - in 2021, we have noticed that ‘smart’ continues to be an opaque subject for the real estate industry. Many continue to seek guidance on how to implement smart buildings, what solution providers to work with, and even what ‘smart’ itself means. We are confident that our accredited solutions offering will help to demystify how to successfully deliver a smart building.”

Energy regulator challenged to examine UK heat pump rollout

Ofgem has been challenged by a leading energy trade body to examine the real-world consequence of shifting homes from gas onto heat pumps. The CEO of Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), Mike Foster, has written to the regulator Jonathan Brearley, calling for a village-sized trial of decarbonising homes using heat pumps. The trial will mirror what is currently being considered for homes to be converted to hydrogen, another option designed to decarbonise the UK. Mike says, “A heat pump village trial will replicate what will happen all across the UK if the government decides that hydrogen will not replace natural gas. Such a trial, conducted now, will help inform the regulator and government of the consequences for the consumer. “Electricity networks will need massive upgrades to the wires, the substations and even the pylons. Homes need assessing for their suitability for a heat pump. That means looking at the fabric of the building itself, its outside space, its internal pipework or even where to put a hot water tank. A heat pump village trial does just this. “Ofgem should have the consumer at the very heart of its thinking. Reinforcement of the power network will come at a massive cost; the consumer will foot the bill, so they have a right to know what this is likely to be. They should also be told what is required from them in their homes. “Alongside hydrogen village trials, a heat pump village trial will provide the much-needed evidence for policymakers as they tackle the challenge of decarbonising UK homes. The cost of a trial will be miniscule compared to getting this wrong. I urge Ofgem to step up to the plate and take a lead.”

MKM gets into the festive spirit with Christmas card competition

With just six weeks to go until the big day, MKM is entering into the festive spirit by inviting children from across the UK to design its official Christmas card for 2022. To kick-off the competition, MKM is asking children nationwide to create a seasonal design featuring items available at MKM, such as bricks, timber, tools, nuts and bolts, or even kitchens. Open to anyone age 16 or under, there will be four categories in the competition (0-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-11 years, and 12-16 years) with the winner from each category receiving a £100 Amazon voucher. The overall winner will not only receive the voucher but also the chance to see their design in print on more than 10,000 Christmas cards to be sent out by the merchant to customers, suppliers and partners. The designs are to be created using an A4 size piece of paper or a computer and then submitted as a photograph, scanned copy or computer file in JPEG or PDF format. Rachel Constable, head of ESG at MKM, says, “Our Christmas card competition is a fantastic way to engage with the communities that support MKM all year round. We had some fantastic submissions to our 2021 Christmas Card campaign but are confident we can do even better in 2022 year. We hope this competition gets everyone into the Christmas spirit this year – we can’t wait to see the entries!” The competition’s deadline is 9am Monday 21 November. Entries need to include the name, age as of 1 December, and date of birth of the artist, alongside a guardian’s address, email and contact number. Entries must be submitted to christmascard@mkmbs.co.uk.

CEF raises over £160,000 for charity at supplier partner event

CEF raised £160,116 for charity at its recent ‘Shaping the Future Together’ supplier partner event. The donation will be shared between CEFs two chosen charities - Macmillan Cancer Support and The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC). The money was raised through donations from event delegates, contributions from supplier partners attending and match funding from CEF. The EIC exists to look after people from the electrical, electronics and energy industries when they or their families need a helping hand. The global COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on many, with high incidence of mental health issues for people under 30. Tragically, the EIC recorded the highest rate of suicides amongst apprentices since its records began. CEF funded and worked with the EIC to develop a mental health training app for apprentices which reached over 10,000 apprentices in its first year. This additional donation will support the charity’s vision of providing every electrical apprentice in the UK with mental health awareness training. In 2020, CEF committed to raise £1 million for Macmillan in five years by engaging colleagues, suppliers and customers in national and local fundraising. Money is raised through contributions on selected product purchases from CEF and fundraising events. Every CEF colleague is encouraged to get involved with fundraising in their local area. CEF hosted its second ‘Shaping the Future Together' supplier event at the prestigious Fairmont Windsor Park hotel, hosting over 190 people including colleagues and key supplier partners to discuss industry trends and explore opportunities for growth. In response to the charity donation, Commercial Director Andrew Moseley comments, “Our target was to better the £100,000 raised at last year’s event, but to raise £160,116 is simply unbelievable. I would like to thank everyone that donated personally and those supplier partners that went above and beyond and made corporate donations to support both the EIC and Macmillan in the great work they do”.

Schneider Electric helps the electrical industry get winter football ready

Schneider Electric is giving electricians and contractors the opportunity to enjoy the World Cup in comfort, by winning a range of prizes with its ‘#getwinterfootballready’ promotion. When electricians spend £100 or more with selected Schneider Electric distributors, they’ll have the chance to win the grand prize of a VIP box experience at the 2023 FA Cup Final! This includes four seats for them and their friends/family, and two seats for staff from the distributor they placed the winning order with. For every £100 spent, participants earn a scratch card with a unique code on (each participant is allowed to enter up to five codes over the course of the promotion). When input in the dedicated online portal, this code enters them into the weekly rolling prize draw. This weekly prize draw concludes at the end of this year, the day after the World Cup final. The draw for the grand prize will take place on 10 January 2023 and will consider all qualifying entries, so the more you spend, the greater chance you have of winning! Nico Van Der Merwe, VP of Home and Distribution at Schneider Electric says, “A Winter World Cup will be a totally different experience to what football fans are used to. We anticipate many fans will choose to watch the games from the comfort of their living rooms this year, so we want to support and thank our dedicated electrical community by giving them the opportunity to win a range of exciting prizes perfect for hosting friends and family.”

CU Phosco Lighting receives top honours at HEA Awards

This year's HEA Conference, Exhibition and Awards at The Celtic Manor, Newport, ended with not one but two wins for CU Phosco Lighting. The street lighting industry event of the year, the HEA Annual Conference and Awards, celebrates the best the highway electrical sector has to offer and recognises the valuable contributions made by the industry's top performers. Early in the ceremony, the manufacturer was thrilled to learn that its E951 luminaire was named 'Product of the Year 2022.' The E951 is the low-cost solution local authorities have been waiting for to replace existing sodium discharge, compact fluorescent and even first generation LED luminaires on traffic routes and minor roads. Paul Carter, Technical Manager Luminaires, CU Phosco, says, “We faced some stiff competition on the night, so it is a fantastic honour to receive this award. E951 has been conceived from over 100 years of experience working with local authorities to help them maximise their efficiency and minimise their budget and environmental impact.” And just when they thought the evening couldn't get any better, Bob Gaskell, the manufacturer's Lighting Contracts Director, was thrown into the spotlight when he received the Service to Industry Award for 2022. Bob says, "In my 20-plus years in the industry, I have never felt as proud as I do now. It is a tremendous honour to be bestowed with this award, joining some of the industry's greats and measured to the highest of standards. I hope to continue adding value to this esteemed institution."

The best cities to be an electrician

Across all sectors, the demand for competent tradespeople has seemingly never been higher. But exactly where are the best cities to be an electrician in the UK? To pinpoint the best locations for trade, Intact compiled a list of the UK’s cities, before creating a unique index for different types of tradespersons. This gave five different indexes in total, encompassing the following trades: Electrician Joiner Carpenter Plumber Plasterer These indexes contained data on four different factors: Search volume - essentially, the demand for the tradesperson per city. The higher the score, the better the city was rated for trade opportunities Jobs available - to within five miles. Again, the higher the number of jobs, the better Market saturation - the number of tradespeople available in the city according to search data. The lower this figure, the better Average hourly rate for work - the higher the better Considering and combining these figures provided Intact with information on where is best for each type of tradesperson to work. Top 10 best UK cities to be an electrician Bristol Edinburgh Cambridge Southampton Cardiff Manchester Glasgow Leicester Brighton Oxford Top 10 toughest UK cities to be an electrician Truro Newry Lisburn Lichfield Southend-on-Sea Wells Durham Canterbury St. Davids Derry (Londonderry) With a total score of 74/100, Bristol is the top city for electricians, offering both the highest demand and the most jobs available than any other place in the country. If you’re looking to spark interest in your business, Bristol could well be your best option. If money is a major factor for you, then St Albans and Brighton might be your first port of call. Offering an average of £44p/h and £41p/h respectively, the two southern cities listed the highest-paying electrician jobs that Intact came across. As for jobs, they were most abundant in Manchester, Bristol and Salford, while Bristol, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool have the highest demand for electricians. If you’re looking to make a name for yourself, however, then Armagh, Derry and Salisbury Birmingham, had the least-saturated markets of the cities that Intact explored. When it came to the least favoured, Truro, Newry and Lisburn took the bottom three spots, with low demand, very few jobs and poor hourly rates.