Study reveals tradesmen's trousers are the most swiped for item of clothing on Tinder

A new study from boohooMAN has revealed the most swiped for items of clothing on Tinder, and it’s good news for tradespeople! Using Tinder, the team set up various profiles, each featuring a model wearing a specific item of clothing. The British public were then given seven days to get swiping in order to discover the UK’s top picks and icks, and the results are in! Tradesmen's trousers are the most swiped for item of clothing on Tinder Tradesmen you’re in luck! Coming in first place as the most swiped item of clothing are tradesmen's trousers, with a whopping 22,456 matches and proved to be most popular in London. On TikTok, the ‘workmentrousers’ hashtag has received over 556 thousand views, showing that cargo trousers are the way forward to land a Tinder date. The least swiped items of clothing The UK’s least swiped item of clothing, receiving only 1,066 matches, was the vest top, which was least popular in Belfast. So if your dates aren’t in the gym, boohooMAN recommends wearing something with sleeves to your next Tinder date.

Vent-Axia invests in new training suite for NICEIC courses

Vent-Axia is proud to have invested in a new bespoke training suite for its NICEIC Domestic Ventilation training course at its Crawley headquarters. The dedicated training suite offers a comfortable environment for installers to improve their knowledge and understanding of domestic ventilation systems. With the room featuring an array of working Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units, attendees can put into action the theoretical skills they learn on the course. All four of the installed MVHR units are fully functioning so delegates are able to complete a commissioning assessment in the training suite. Well installed and commissioned ventilation has become more important than ever following the launch of the new Building Regulations in December 2021. The new Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) reduces carbon by almost a third in new build homes. Increasingly airtight homes must consider indoor air quality (IAQ) to protect the wellbeing of inhabitants and so, along with the new Part F (Means of Ventilation), the updated Regulations set out 'significant changes' to drive adoption of low carbon ventilation as an industry standard. In existing homes this includes the need to consider ventilation when energy efficiency measures are added. Vent-Axia’s NICEIC Domestic Ventilation Training Course is a two-day course aimed at anyone with an interest in installing ventilation systems, particularly experienced electricians, plumbers, ventilation installers and heating engineers looking to improve their knowledge and understanding of domestic ventilation systems. It also looks at legal requirements, why ventilation is important and the different types of ventilation available. This includes information on the updated regulations to ensure installers are aware and comply with the new changes. The course provides the necessary skills in system design, installation, testing, commissioning, handover, servicing and fault-finding of ventilation systems in accordance with the latest National Occupational Standards and Minimum Technical Competency documents. At the end of the course, delegates will have received both theoretical and practical training, including the commissioning of a working MVHR system. The course aims to train installers to safely and competently fit, inspect and test the common domestic ventilation systems: individual extract fans, continuous MEV systems and continuous MVHR systems. The course also aims to train installers to commission these systems once fitted and provide documentary evidence to handover to both the Building Control and the end-user. As the Government continues to lower carbon emission targets from the built environment, the drive for greater energy efficiency will continue. As a result, MVHR systems will accelerate in growth and electricians that are able to fit them competently will be in high demand, since it will be increasingly important to prove homes are built as designed to ensure high performance. Once candidates have completed the course and enrolled with a Competent Person Scheme, such as the one run by the NICEIC, they will be able to add value and differentiate themselves from their competitors while winning work from developers. They will also benefit from not having to notify a Building Control Body in advance of doing notifiable work, they just have to notify their work online with the Competent Person Scheme who will issue a building compliance certificate to the customer, as well as advise the relevant local authority that work has taken place. This not only saves installers time but building control charges will not be payable and installers can offer a complete service to their customers.

Scottish electrical engineers open new office in Glasgow city centre

Electrical Specialist Solutions (ESS) has opened its first office in Glasgow city centre. Both of its directors, Alan Glen and Alan Mulligan, had worked all over the world as specialist electrical engineering employees of a US-based power generation business but were made redundant when the onset of the COVID19 pandemic placed a global ban on travel. Undaunted, the pair decided that the way forward was to form their own company and pitch for new business opportunities from their former employers once the immediate ban on travel was lifted. ESS director, Alan Mulligan, says: “we enjoyed our well remunerated work overseas and were not prepared to let COVID19 get the better of us, so we formed Electrical Specialist Solutions, a specialist electrical and mechanical controls business focused on the power generation and semiconductor industries. “Our mission is to help organisations across the world overcome a range of general power enhancement requirements including skills gaps, manning difficulties and issues arising from transitioning from old to new technologies. “So far we have won contracts from customers in Mexico, Greece, Ireland and the USA and are looking to expand operations this year with new work in South America on the horizon.” The company’s new offices in West George Street will form a base from which its overseas operations can be monitored and directed, though neither of them expect to be there much of the time. ESS director, Alan Glen, says: “We have appointed an office manager and will hire more staff for our Glasgow office as required. Despite the trend for people to work from home, we value the ability to go into the office, meet, discuss and get things done. “On the other hand, for the foreseeable future we will be abroad, overseeing the operations of our team in tackling power generation issues in some of the world’s less hospitable climates. “Our aim is to become known globally as the go-to problem-solving electrical engineering experts and to continue winning bigger and bigger contracts, as well as opening an office in the USA. But we intend, always, to be headquartered in Scotland.”

Research shows mental health crisis needs addressing in construction

Toolstation is launching an initiative aimed at those affected by the mental health crisis in the construction industry. The mental health awareness campaign is designed to help equip tradespeople with the tools they need to look after their mental health. The move comes as research commissioned by Toolstation through the On The Tools network shows 72% of those who work in the construction industry feel there isn’t enough being done in the sector to address mental health. The survey also shows that a shocking 52% of those working in the industry have experienced suicidal thoughts, while 23% of those know someone in the sector who has attempted suicide. The findings also show that 45% don’t feel comfortable talking about mental health problems at work. When it comes to what can be done, 56% felt there could be more honest conversations around mental health, while 44% think there should be better access to professional help or treatment. 31% thought there should be better support at their place of work. The research also found that those in the industry have been affected by the following issues: 55% of those in the industry are affected by financial issues 50% were affected by their workload 33% experienced mental health issues because of relationship problems 29% were affected by a lack of professional support 29% felt worse because of their physical health 27% were affected by loneliness 26% felt affected by work conditions. In a first for the construction industry, Toolstation have worked with Ocean Outdoor to create a giant billboard offering immediate support to tradespeople to help overcome their worries and mental health issues. It means tradespeople can privately live chat with a trained expert from the Lighthouse Club charity via a QR code. The activation gives tradespeople and construction workers the opportunity to get instant, confidential expert advice on the topics that affect them the most, like  mental health issues, money worries, insomnia and work life imbalance and alcoholism. ‘The World’s Most Supportive Poster’ is positioned opposite Ocean Outdoor’s Liverpool Media Wall, positioned opposite a construction site and Liverpool Lime Street station, capturing construction workers as they arrive in to the city for work. It will be on display at the site up until Tuesday 29th March between 6am-10am during the week. Although the conversations will remain confidential, the Liverpool Media Wall will display what’s on the minds of local tradespeople and it is hoped that this level of visibility will help end the stigma of talking about mental health within the industry. Receipts from Toolstation branches in the surrounding Liverpool area will also include a free 24/7 number for the Construction Industry Helpline which is managed and funded by the Lighthouse Club. The helpline provides confidential support for those in the construction industry. Greg Richardson, Head of Marketing at Toolstation, says: “Our research shows that there’s a mental health crisis in the construction industry with almost one in five knowing someone that has attempted to take their own life. Work in the sector is often characterised by limited term contracts and long unsociable hours, away from family. Those who work for smaller organisations or are sole traders in the construction industry might not have easy access to mental health support, so this campaign is an important step in raising awareness that everyone in the industry can quickly talk with someone who can help.” Bill Hill, CEO of Lighthouse Club says: “ We are absolutely delighted to be working with Toolstation on this significant issue within our industry. It is so important that we get the message of support to the “boots on the ground” that we are there for them 24/7. If our workforce don’t know we are there for them we simply can't help them in crisis. I am convinced that partnering with Toolstation and using the medium of Outdoor Advertising will make a significant impact and ultimately save lives.” Darryl George, Executive Creative Director at krow Group says: We’re extremely proud of the positive impact ‘The World’s Most Supportive Poster’ will make in the lives of many Toolstation customers. It builds on the brand’s ‘Tools and more for any task’ mantra in a meaningful and memorable way. We can’t wait to make it happen.”

CEF's greener vision for the electrical industry with Planet Mark certification

CEF has achieved the prestigious Planet Mark Business Certification which recognises CEF’s commitment to measuring and reducing carbon emissions, energy and water consumption, travel and waste by a minimum of 5% year on year. Carbon emissions CEF’s baseline carbon footprint includes emissions from energy use (natural gas and electricity), fleet travel and other fuel, equivalent to 10,980 flights from London to New York. CEF will continue to measure its carbon footprint and aims to reduce carbon emissions by a minimum of 5% each year. Social value The Planet Mark report also measures CEF’s social value contribution at £1,785,850. The baseline figure measures the social value that CEF provides through its people, procurement processes, training, apprenticeships and charitable donations. Championing sustainability in the electrical industry The Planet Mark Business Certification is part of a company-wide sustainability programme with management information and specific improvement recommendations to help achieve goals to cut carbon, energy, water and waste on an annual and ongoing basis. CEF was also the first organisation of its type to sign up to the Construction Leadership Council’s ambitious campaign to drive carbon out of the industry and is a CO2nstruct Business Champion. CEO Charlie Beddows comments: "Understanding our social and environmental impact is fundamental to our commitment to responsible and sustainable growth. Sustainability is a complex issue, but we want to understand our impact on the environment and then proactively work to minimise it.” Chris Ashworth, CEF’s Managing Director adds: “Our commitment to sustainability is highlighted by our work with Planet Mark. With their help we can continue to measure and assess where we can reduce our carbon emissions and increase our social value. We are already working on ways to do this and are determined to lead the electrical industry. By acting now, we can aspire to be a catalyst for change.” Wider sustainable impacts Through CEF's wider sustainability work, the business is contributing towards five of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals including quality education, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, and climate action. As a Planet Mark partner, CEF have protected an acre of endangered rainforest through Cool Earth; a charity working alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation. Together with other Planet Mark certified businesses, CEF is helping Cool Earth to support 13 rainforest partnerships, protecting 139,572 hectares of rainforest and storing over 22 million tonnes of carbon. Planet Mark Business Certification is just one part of CEF’s ambitious sustainability and social value strategy which will be launched in May 2022, when the business will set out details of its vision to nurture a culture of care, protect the world we live in and enhance the communities it serves.

Thames Estuary gears up for zero emission operations

A stream of green projects along the Thames Estuary is helping the marine sector mark the shift towards net zero. Net Zero Marine Services (NZMS) has secured capital from UK Power Networks’ Green Recovery Fund programme to support its power infrastructure along the Thames. NZMS are developing seven shore power locations in central London. These locations will create a network of high voltage power infrastructure facilities available for all Thames operators. As part of the works, UK Power Networks will pull through new cables and install equipment that will allow for the electrification of boats along the Thames. This means less carbon emissions, reduced water contamination and cleaner air. Adam Lakey, stakeholder engagement account manager at UK Power Networks, says: "We are reinforcing the network in this area to meet the required demand. The Green Recovery fund is allowing us to continue to help ensure reliable supplies for now and in the future to meet the government’s plans for net zero.” UK Power Networks is delivering £66 million investment, over 86 sites, to deliver low carbon energy projects that will help achieve the Government’s Ten Point Plan towards net zero by 2050, and the Thames Estuary is one of many sites to benefit. The clock is ticking on net zero so 86 projects are being fast-tracked by the electricity firm, including electric vehicle charging hubs at motorway service stations, fleets of electric buses, community energy schemes and heat pumps. Miles Cole, project delivery director at Net Zero Marine Services, comments: “The Thames has huge potential for sustainable growth, but operators will not make significant investments decisions in clean tech until the infrastructure and support ecosystems are in place. Things are about to change. NZMS is enabling zero emissions investment on the Thames by building a network of shore power and green hydrogen projects along the Thames Estuary. Over the next few years, the Thames is going to see a huge shift towards clean operations and those that don't adapt will lose their competitive advantage or simply risk being left behind. We are already starting to see it. “This Green Recovery Fund has unlocked these shore power projects by removing network reinforcement costs which would otherwise have been prohibitive. This support marks a truly pivotal moment in our work to stimulate the net zero marine sector on the river in the centre of London.”

Martindale Electric now has safety all locked up

Martindale Electric’s range of comprehensive lock out kits have been designed to suit the needs of maintenance and installation teams working in a range of environments. The lock out kits make it easy to ensure all types of circuits can be safely isolated prior to the maintenance of plants and equipment, preventing potentially fatal accidents and enabling compliance with HSG85. The Martindale range starts with the LOKKITBASE and extends to the LOKKITPRO, which enables circuits to be locked off once de-energised, ensuring safe maintenance schedules and compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations. The LOKKITBASE and LOKKIT2PLUS kits both include standard miniature circuit breaker (MCB) locking off devices and the especially small LOK10 and LOK11 for when access is limited. The kits include a PAD10R padlock with a unique key plus a marker pen and tags to ensure immediate and clear identification of circuits, work areas and personnel. For added safety, each lock is supplied with just one key, to ensure a circuit cannot be inadvertently unlocked by another user. The LOKKITPRO features the largest range of locking off devices available from Martindale Electric and is the ideal choice for contractors and maintenance teams working on industrial and commercial sites. It is the ultimate safe isolation kit providing a locking off solution for all sites and applications from MCBs with integrated test buttons through old style fuse holders, to switchgear requiring a cable lock approach. The kit is contained in a soft carry case, ensuring all locking off devices, tags, pen and padlock are always to hand. With the average cost of health and safety fines trebling over the last year and around 1,000 serious accidents per year at work due to contact with electricity and 10 times as many involving electricity as a cause of the accident, compliance with Electricity at Work Regulations is clearly a priority for all.

Quora Group grows with BigChange 

A provider of mechanical and electrical building services says a new job management system is helping it to win more business. Quora Group works nationwide with a range of clients across the public and private sector. The company uses the BigChange field service management software which it says is enabling it to win new public sector tenders. Craig Firth, director and co-founder of Quora Group, says, “BigChange is definitely a sales tool for us and has helped us to grow the business. We work primarily in the public sector, with contracts predominantly in healthcare and education. In these environments there is a high level of compliance and documentation required. BigChange enables us to offer a far higher level of service in terms of digitised, evidence-based compliance and reporting than a company that still uses a paper-based system. It has been a big advantage for us in terms of winning and delivering these public sector contracts.” The North Tyneside company started out in 2005 servicing and installing gas boilers but has grown from a father and son operation into a thriving business with more than 50 direct employees. “Part of that growth has been down to BigChange,” adds Craig. “We use it across three of our four divisions, and it has helped us scale quickly. It is a simple product to use but it has so many functions and our clients love it.” Quora uses BigChange in its electrical, service and maintenance, and water treatment divisions. A complete, simple to use and easy to integrate platform bringing together customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, job finance and business intelligence, BigChange allows for all job scheduling and reporting to be done digitally, eliminating the need for mobile engineers to visit the office to pick up or drop off job cards. Rugged PDAs are also used to record job completion, including photographic evidence. “The ability to adapt the work sheets is a great feature of the software,” comments Craig. “We have just won a big contract for a local authority, and that includes specific documentation that they want us to use. I can create a worksheet in BigChange and provide them with a document that is exactly what they want.” Quora also uses live tracking for its emergency call-out service. “We have service level agreements that require us to respond to emergencies within a certain time frame,” says Craig. “With BigChange we can see the locations of the engineers in real time, identify the person who is closest and has the right skill set to respond to the call-out, then inform the client with an accurate ETA.” Quora Group has three ISO accreditations: 9001 (quality management), 14001 (environmental management), and 45001 (health and safety). BigChange has helped it achieve all three. “As part of our ISO management system we use BigChange to monitor and measure the greenhouse gas emissions from our vehicles,” adds Craig. “It also helps with our health and safety management, because we can easily provide evidence that we have done what we said we were going to do.”

New catalogue for Niglon

Niglon has announced the release of a new product catalogue this April. The fourth generation family-run Midlands company supplies more than 4,500 products to wholesalers across the UK, spanning eight core categories. These categories are circuit protection, wiring accessories, installation essentials, industrial accessories, cable management, lighting control, fixings and tools, and control and automation. The new catalogue will be available online from Friday 1st April, or a printed copy can be requested by emailing sales@niglon.co.uk or calling 0121 711 1990.

Uni students give new Seaward eLearning initiative PAT on the back

An electrical test and measurement company has linked up with a leading UK university in a new digital initiative to help students understand the importance of portable appliance testing (PAT). Experts from Seaward have provided 76 students on electrical and electronics engineering courses at Birmingham University’s Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering with an overview of PAT, why it’s important to carry out tests and UKCA marking, via new online seminars. The eLearning initiative, which also covered the benefits of using the latest PAT testers, how to spot counterfeit products and a live Q&A at the end of the session, comes as part of Seaward’s commitment to boosting core engineering skills development and learning. It also reflects the company’s wider move to help young people looking to pursue a career in electrical and electronics related sectors. After the success of the first event, an 'electrical testing' overview session is being planned as a follow up to help students further understand PAT testing, as the issue is likely to feature at some time in their future career roles. Richard Slade, UK field sales manager at Seaward Group, says he was invited by the university to present to the students. He comments: “We had a good number attend as the initiative was scheduled into the student’s timetables. Developing links with universities and other academic facilities is a key part of securing the company’s current and future workforce needs and helping people taking up electrical and electronics roles to understand better what’s involved in PAT testing. “It also helps us to tap into the fresh insight and academic prowess that students bring as part of our commitment to supporting skills development and learning. We have a strategy to grow and increase our engineering capabilities through nurturing strong academic links, which has become a beneficial part of our plans.” Electrical engineering student Tray Carty says: “The session was extremely useful, providing a thorough understanding and insight into important electrical equipment testing processes and how they can improve workplace safety. This helps us to boost our own core engineering skills and development, which we can then take forward in any future job.”