Skilled trades must go digital to attract the workers of the future

Europeans respect and value skilled tradespeople, finds 3M’s 2022 State of Science Index (SOSI). However, 70% of people across the continent are not attracted to pursue a trade career themselves, with 20% of Europeans saying that they were dissuaded from pursuing a skilled trade because they do not see career growth. An outmoded perception of trades While 92% of Europeans believe that the workforce needs more skilled workers, such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters, there is a lack of understanding when it comes to the opportunities on offer for those that take up a skilled trade. Addressing this understanding is critical with the ongoing skills shortage hampering employers across EMEA. It is not as clear cut as there just being less economic incentive - 64% of Europeans believe they would earn the same in a trade as in a career requiring a university degree, although this is significantly behind the 71% global average. Europeans’ reticence to take up a trade seems to correlate to a widespread misunderstanding of the progression of a trade career, and how the digital skills required in other industries come into play. The STEM/digital divide With 51% of Europeans concerned that they lack the digital skills to keep a job in the current market, it is clear that technology is a core component of the skilled trade sector. Tradespeople are required to embrace digital solutions for monitoring, implementing and performing remote maintenance on a daily basis. Indeed, 62% agree that skilled trade jobs rely on a STEM education. “The skilled trade economy, like all industries is being transformed by the latest technological innovations and there is an opportunity for the digitally savvy trade worker to thrive,” says Sarah Chapman, Technical Leader and Advocate for Diversity in STEM. “This data shows that trade schools, apprenticeship schemes and trade employers must do more to ensure vocational training and opportunities meet the demands of the modern world. We must bring the world of STEM and skilled trades together”. Creating opportunities To address the need for more skilled tradespeople in society, 3M has committed to creating 5 million unique STEM and skilled trade roles globally, through its Skilled Trades partnerships. This also includes ‘reverse mentoring’, which sees workers help to upskill older employees on digital competencies. To continue growing the respect and attraction of skilled trades jobs, training schemes must put STEM at the heart of this sector. www.3m.com

Toolstation announced as headline sponsor for the 2022 On The Tools Awards

Toolstation has been announced as the new headline sponsor of the 2022 On The Tools Awards. The On The Tools Awards relaunch for 2022 to recognise the skill, innovation and resilience of UK tradespeople. Following a two-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the awards set out to celebrate the very best of UK construction. The awards are being held on the 18th November at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. Caroline Roper, Senior Brand Marketing Manager, Toolstation, says: “We know that work in this sector is characterised by long hours, time spent away from family and many stresses, so the chance to recognise tradespeople for the invaluable work that they do is a great opportunity. “They are unsung heroes and work hard to keep the nation warm, dry and secure, especially in such challenging times. We’ve no doubt that there will be thousands of great entries and can’t wait to get a closer look at them.” During the pandemic, identified as ‘key workers’, many tradespeople continued working; helping to build COVID hospitals, repairing plumbing, heating and electrics, and carrying out essential maintenance to keep the country going. The awards offer a way of celebrating the achievements of the best and brightest in the construction industry during this period and recognise the tough two-years they experienced. Lee Wilcox, CEO of On The Tools, says: “Tradespeople are too often under-appreciated for their hard work and dedication. The On The Tools awards aims to give them the recognition they deserve. We’re especially excited to be able to re-launch after a very difficult pandemic, where tradespeople really were some of the unsung heroes. “The stories from the construction industry during this time are important to share - there was no choice for many of them to stay home, they were out and getting their hands dirty and putting themselves at risk to keep things going. The awards tell those stories, and with the help of Toolstation and our other partners we are able to reward tradespeople who went above and beyond.” www.toolstation.com www.onthetools.com

New IP65/IK08 BED door enclosures for industrial and commercial applications

For tough situations, the BED Range of door enclosures from BCL Enclosures provides excellent protection for electrical and electronic installations. This high-quality enclosure series is manufactured from ABS-HB material in Grey RAL 7035, with the option of either solid doors in ABS or transparent doors in polycarbonate. BED Door Enclosures are IP65-rated and protect their contents from solid particles such as dust or dirt and against low-pressure water jets from any direction. IP65 protection is the most common level of protection for outdoor lighting installations that will be exposed to all weather conditions, for example, in addition to being suitable for many industrial and commercial applications such as marinas, leisure spas, etc. Along with providing IP65 protection, these robust BED enclosures are also rated IK08 for mechanical impact - they can withstand a 1.7kg object dropped from a height of 300mm - which provides protection against common accidental blows and dropped objects, plus IK08 is a common rating used to denote a degree of resistance to vandalism. BED Enclosures are supplied complete with galvanised steel back plates and mounting brackets, plus either one key lock (BED001 and BED011) or two key locks (all other sizes), thereby providing everything an installer could require. There are 16 models available, in sizes ranging from the smallest BED001, which measures 130mm x 200mm x 300mm, up to the largest model, BED020, measuring a generous 250mm x 50mm x 700mm. www.bclenclosures.com

Transport for London banks on Ellis Patents

Transport for London (TfL) has installed Ellis Patents’ innovative Pegasus cable hangers in its £500 million Bank Station capacity upgrade project. Specified through ETS Cable Components, the hangers were chosen because their modular design meant they could be manufactured to the project’s very specific requirements. Noman Shabir, Ellis Patents’ National Sales Manager, says: “TfL wanted hangers that could be supplied to meet a variety of radii because of the changing curvature of the operating tunnels running in and out of Bank Station. In addition, they needed a product that featured pre-drilled holes so that they could accept cable cleats for signal cables.” “Traditional cable hanging systems wouldn’t have coped with these requirements on the basis they come in set sizes and configurations. Our thinking when we designed Pegasus was that no two rail projects are ever the same and as such project-by-project flexibility was vital.” As with all of its products, Pegasus was designed and developed completely in-house by Ellis Patents. Featuring an aluminium spine that can support any number and configuration of polymer cable hangers, the modular cable hanging system is not only more adaptable than similar products, but also stronger and lighter; making it quick and easy to install. Ellis Patents manufactures Pegasus cable hangers using LUL approved materials, which are suitable for installation underground and within tunnels, as well as UV stabilised materials for installations above ground and trackside. The Bank Station capacity upgrade project was aimed at relieving heavy passenger congestion during peak hours and has seen the construction of a new southbound platform tunnel and associated length of running tunnel for the Northern line.  It also incorporated the construction of connecting passageways to the existing station tunnels and the provision of step-free access from King William Street. It is due to be complete and fully operational in the Autumn. www.ellispatents.com www.tfl.gov.com www.etscablecomponents.com

Team of experts lead Greenwich ground source heat pump study

A team of experts has launched a pioneering project in Greenwich to assess the feasibility of switching gas-heated, owner-occupied homes in high density areas to low carbon heating in the form of networked ground source heat pumps. The aim is to develop an innovative methodology for the coordination of high-density heat pump deployments, which will support urban communities switching to a low carbon technology that will reduce energy demand, improve air quality and mitigate against rising energy costs. The work supports the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council’s carbon neutral plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The Greenwich Thermal Infrastructure Motivating Electrification (Greenwich TIME) project is funded under the Heat Pump Ready Programme stream one, phase one, which is part of the BEIS £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP), which aims to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative clean energy technologies and processes through the 2020s and 2030s. The partners include Element Energy, Kensa Contracting, Nationwide Building Society, UKPN, OVO Energy, Heat Geek and DG Cities. Networked ground source heat pumps have been identified as the technology Greenwich will use to trial its innovative methodology, if the project is successful in phase two of the programme. Networked ground source heat pumps have the potential to provide the lowest cost, lowest carbon decarbonisation pathway in a majority of situations, especially in high density urban areas, where the model allows whole streets to rapidly switch to low carbon heating technology. The key barrier in adopting the technology has traditionally been the cost of installing the underground infrastructure needed to extract renewable heat from the ground. The Greenwich project will explore the potential to decouple the up-front capital cost barrier of the ground side installation from customers via financing mechanisms, similar to how existing domestic services (such as gas and electricity) are already funded. The Greenwich TIME project aims to enable consumers to replace their boilers with a networked heat pump in a way that is affordable and simple to understand that would be adopted and completed with minimal household disruption. This can be used as a blueprint for the deployment of heat pumps at scale within other urban communities across the UK - in line with government targets to have 600,000 heat pumps installed per year by 2028. Trevor Dorling, Managing Director of DG Cities, says: “We know from our previous research that there are many hurdles to the widespread adoption of heat pumps. In our recent survey, 70% of people said they were ‘highly unlikely’ to buy one in the coming year. We’re looking forward to working with Greenwich residents to understand, in greater depth, exactly why this is. Our focus will be making sure our heat pump offering is innovative, builds confidence in the technology and reduces the barriers to adoption, including reducing upfront costs to households. We’re part of a great team of project partners and can’t wait to get started in the borough.” Sam Foster, Partner at Element Energy, comments: “Achieving widespread rollout of heat pumps in homes up and down the country is key to the UK reaching net zero. The government’s Electrification of Heat project has recently demonstrated that heat pumps are technically compatible with essentially all housing types. The key challenge is now to engage households and bring together the delivery partners - including equipment providers, installers, suppliers and finance - to make heat pumps attractive, affordable and convenient for all. We are delighted to be working with a brilliant team on the TIME project to develop and test innovative approaches to encourage and enable a heat pump community in the heart of Greenwich.” James Standley, COO of Kensa Group, says: “We are very excited to be involved in this study of a potential community-scale urban ground source heat pump solution for decarbonising the nations’ heating. Kensa believes that the combination of low carbon technology and renewable infrastructure proposed in Greenwich is a key contender for the lowest system cost route to achieving net zero in the UK, and we are therefore keen to work with the project partners to explore the proposals.” www.department-for-business-energy-and-industrial-strategy.com www.element-energy.com www.kensacontracting.com www.nationwide.com www.ukpowernetworks.com www.ovoenergy.com www.heatgeek.com www.dgcities.com

Energy Exemplar to help National Grid ESO shape energy transition

National Grid ESO balances supply and demand to ensure homes and businesses in Great Britain have the electricity that they need around the clock. As the grid manages new supply and demand complexities, such as integrating a wider mix of greener energy through, for example, the greater use of hydrogen and offshore wind farms, the need grows for more technologies to support it. National Grid ESO and Energy Exemplar have announced a multi-million-pound three-year agreement to use the unified energy market simulation platform, PLEXOS, to support this transition. PLEXOS, through advanced mathematical simulations, will help National Grid ESO identify the most cost-efficient ways to expand the electricity grid, reach more consumers and help further manage the integration of renewable energies and enable the transition to a carbon-neutral UK energy system. Modelling with the PLEXOS software will enable National Grid ESO to future-proof the grid, while also retiring older parts of the energy network. These are essential steps to ensure consumers have no disruptions to supply, while the UK transitions to a low carbon economy. Michael Schneider, Senior Vice President and Head of EMEA at Energy Exemplar, says: “The next few years will be crucial in laying the foundations for this transition and the ability to integrate new technologies at scale. Our PLEXOS software will provide a key capability to support the continued and proud tradition of UK energy innovation which started in 1881, when Britain provided the world’s first public power supply in Godalming, Surrey, with energy generated from a water wheel.” PLEXOS modelling will help to inform future versions of the Future Energy Scenarios report, which set out potential pathways to net zero by or before 2050. PLEXOS scenarios will also help shape the Network Operations Assessment report, a document published by the National Grid ESO each year with recommendations for where the transmission system needs investment and strengthening - particularly important when it considers a more diverse energy mix and reaching more remote areas of the country. Iain Shepherd, Enhanced Network Capability Development Manager at National Grid ESO, comments: “PLEXOS will further strengthen the analysis the ESO undertakes to identify the optimal pathways to net zero and will support the ESO in assessing the optimal pathways for future network infrastructure decisions. This will ensure that we can continue to deliver a secure and reliable network that delivers value for consumers as we move towards net zero.” Energy Exemplar’s tool was selected for its versatility and ability to plan across both power and gas systems rather than, as has historically been the case, treating them as separate networks - which provides further benefits to consumers as it allows planners to view the system as a whole and predict energy needs more accurately. Insights gathered from modelling will help National Grid ESO to anticipate and respond to market changes efficiently, optimising decision-making and help to save on overall system costs. The contract contains a three-year fixed period with two one-year optional extensions. www.nationalgrideso.com www.energyexemplar.com

NICEIC’s THE WIRE returns with all-new series

NICEIC has released the details of an all-new series of its hit technical webinar series, THE WIRE. Broadcasting live episodes every fortnight, the series kicks off at 8pm and September 14th and will cover important topics, including the implementation of BS 7671 Amendment 2, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms / BS 5839 part six, an introduction to prosuming installations, AFDD’s, and review of electric vehicle charging installations. All CPD certified, these in-depth technical webinars are free and exclusive to NICEIC certified businesses and their staff. Led by industry-leading experts from NICEIC, THE WIRE can be accessed from desktop, laptop, tablet or hand-held devices, meaning viewers can tune in from a location of their choosing. THE WIRE also offers lots of interactions between the speakers and the audience. Sharing live polls and taking questions from the floor, the presenters aim to provide answers to the questions electrical contractors truly need. Furthermore, thanks to its bespoke platform, the system also allows attendees to download a personalised CPD certificate at the end of each session to confirm their learning. For those unable to attend the live events, recordings are made available within 10 days of a webinar on NICEIC’s on-demand library. Viewers tuning in on-demand also benefit from receiving a CPD certificate. “We are extremely excited to be back on the air,” says NICEIC’s Head of Technical Services, Paul Collins, “Last season was without a doubt our best yet, as we hit the fantastic milestone of reaching 45,000 views. However, with our new line-up of episodes, we are confident that in this series we will raise the bar yet again. “It is essential that all electrical contractors and their employees invest time in their skills and ongoing CPD, and we are committed to delivering the quality content needed to aid this process. “Whether you are a WIRE veteran or a newcomer to the show, prioritise your ongoing development today by registering for the new episodes - you won’t be disappointed”. www.niceic.com

Signify announces on-demand CPDs

Signify has announced five new CIBSE accredited Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses to arm specifiers, lighting designers, facilities managers and installers with the knowledge to be able to respond to a range of business needs, from meeting sustainability goals to protection from COVID-19. Ranging from topics like the correct use of UV-C technology as an added layer for disinfection, to driving better connectivity through lighting, the five new CPDs are the first ever on-demand Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) accredited CPDs. These courses are an addition to an existing portfolio of 700 courses on the Signify Lighting Academy that delivers training to thousands of subscribers. The training sessions are available on demand and at the end of the training, a certificate is generated confirming the CPD hours. John Aston FSLL, states “Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a long-term commitment to undertake the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills. It is about learning and putting into practice new competences year after year and investing in your future. “The on-demand digital CPDs are a great initiative by Signify to enable installers, specifiers and the whole community to learn about the latest technologies and innovations and move with the times, as this also aligns closely with our agenda at CIBSE. I encourage other members to also introduce more digital CPDs, on an ongoing basis.’’ The list of on-demand CPDs announced includes: With the World Health Organisation now focusing on UV-C technology as a means of disinfection, a recorded webinar UV-C for Disinfection - General Awareness Training, has been made available. This training, which is ideal for Installers, contractors, specifiers, distributors, resellers, lighting designers and facilities managers, focuses on UV-C lighting for disinfection, how it works, research conducted to date, the benefits, safety considerations, and applications to help keep air and surfaces free from viruses and bacteria. Most importantly, the training also teaches how installers/managers can ensure safe use of the technology. Addressing the ongoing disinfection challenges posed by COVID-19, the CPD titled Airborne transmission - why UV air disinfection is essential? - is a webinar from Harvard Professor, Edward Nardell, about the necessity of UV-C technology from a medical perspective and how UV-C technology is readily available, safe for room occupants, cost-effective, and can be implemented today, learn more. More and more devices connect to the internet every day, most wirelessly. While wireless connectivity is a must have, conventional wireless connectivity solutions use the crowded radio spectrum to communicate. What’s more there are areas where radio frequency wireless connectivity is not permitted or the best fit. Responding to the growing need for better connectivity, the CPD titled Trulifi by Signify offers an introduction to LiFi, how coworking, equipped with Trulifi, isn’t just the preserve of the jet-set and digital nomads. For those installers interested in biophilic design and natural light indoors, the CPD titled Biophilic Design addresses how enhancing our connection with nature is more than simply adding plants and that it’s a design ethos that can appeal to us all. The CPD covers the core principles and 14 patterns of biophilic design, a business case and research demonstrating that it is good for people, and good for business. Lastly, another CPD added is the Connected Lighting CPD. As the climate crisis intensifies, every business needs to play its part to cut carbon emissions. The use of lighting controls can be used to improve the efficiency of a lighting system. This CPD focuses on how connected lighting can be crucial to designing an energy-efficient system, along with its benefits and applications. The CPD also helps delve into how the IoT systems from Signify can take you beyond the base requirements in Part L to create a truly efficient lighting installation. Simon Greenwood, Sales Director, Trade and Specification, Signify UK and Ireland, says “We are proud to work closely with CIBSE to provide the first ever on-demand digital CPDs. With the CPDs now being available on demand, we are excited to offer the trade community continuous learning and development, on the go and play our part in making the industry grow. It is our aim is to create a complete programme of CPDs covering the entire spectrum of lighting. We see it as an important part of our role to increase knowledge and raise technical standards for the lighting industry. These CPDs also affirm our dedication to developing long-term partnerships with our customers and supporting them in delivering their lighting visions - from design through to installation and maintenance as these CPD meet a pressing need for up-to-date guidance on the latest technology and legislation.” www.signify.com www.cibse.com

New Q-Crimp Grommet Strips added to Unicrimp range 

Unicrimp has added a brand new product to its Q-Crimp fixings range - with Grommet Strip edge trim rolls now part of the collection. An essential piece of kit for consumer unit installations, the premium Grommet Strips are flexible and durable, designed to protect cables from sharp and abrasive metal edges. They provide installers with a perfect solution for rewires and board changes. Unicrimp’s heavy duty Grommet Strip trim roll is available in black and in 3m and 5m lengths and can be easily cut to the required size. www.unicrimp.com

Octopus Energy extends Fan Club tentacles into West Yorkshire

Octopus Energy Generation is accelerating the rollout of its popular Fan Club model by launching its third local wind tariff in Halifax, West Yorkshire. The latest addition to the Fan Club is bigger than its predecessors. The 2MW wind turbine, built by Siemens, is part of the Ovenden Moor Wind Farm and generates enough home-grown green energy to power 2,000 homes for one year (five times more than the company’s first two fans). Octopus Energy’s Fan Club is a unique tariff providing cheaper energy when the wind blows, with a discount of up to 50% off the unit rate. It can save customers up to £350 on their annual energy bill. Customers who want to plan energy-intensive tasks according to times when their local power is cheaper, can use the company’s Fan Club dashboard, which provides information such as local wind speeds. Since launching the Fan Club in January 2021, 10,000 people got in touch with Octopus asking for a wind turbine near their home. Recent research shows that nine in 10 people would support a wind turbine in their community if it meant cheaper energy. This is the latest step in Octopus’ roll-out of local renewable energy. It comes shortly after its announcement of its new partnership with wind turbine manufacturer EWT to repower hundreds of existing older onshore wind turbines in the UK. In the future there’s also potential to bring the repowered wind turbines onto a Fan Club-style model. Octopus manages 3.2GW of renewable energy assets across Europe. The company is stepping up its generation capabilities with plans to have at least 1,000 wind turbines on its Fan Club in the UK by the end of the decade. Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, comments: “We’ve been blown away by the volume of requests and positive sentiment towards our Fan Club, which offers people 100% local green energy at discounted rates. “Welcoming customers onto our fan in Halifax means more people can benefit from cheap, green energy when it’s abundant locally. This is especially important as people are facing much higher energy bills this winter. “But we are not going to stop here - we are working around the clock to add many more wind turbines to our Fan Club model, putting money back into people’s pockets whilst driving renewables at scale.” www.octopus.energy.com