Jobs of the future: Are robots coming for your job?

A new study by electrical supplier, ElectricalDirect, reveals the UK jobs most likely to be replaced by robots over the coming years as a result of the rise of Artificial Intelligence and automation. By analysing 20 million jobs from around the country, ElectricalDirect discovered which roles are most likely automated based on whether they contained repetitive or routine tasks which would be carried out quicker by a robot. The rise of AI poses an existential threat to the UK jobs market, as it starts to make a large number of jobs a thing of the past. It’s an inevitable and controversial change to the way our economy works, which has only been sped up by the forced automation brought on by Covid, as businesses were limited in their ability to have customer-facing roles. Waiting staff have the highest risk of automation   The 10 jobs most at-risk of automation (%) 1 Waiters/Waitresses 72.81% 2 Shelf Fillers 71.70% 3 Retail Assistant 70.69% 4 Bar Staff 70.66% 5 Kitchen/Catering Assistants 69.20% 6 Farm Workers 69.05% 7 Sewing Machinists 68.64% 8 Cleaners 68.13% 9 Tyer, Exhaust and Windscreen Fitters 68.07% 10 Vehicle Valeters 67.77% Waiters/waitresses top the list by having a 72.81% probability of being replaced by robots. Food service and hospitality industries are the most likely to be hit hard by the rise of automation, with the introduction of touch screen menus and instant contactless payment methods. Supermarket shelf stackers come in second, facing a 71.7% of automated replacement, while shop floor retail assistants face a 70.69% chance of replacements. This in an industry already rocked by technology, through the rise of online retail. Stores such as Amazon Fresh already function without tills, and therefore without cashiers. Medical professionals and those in education are least likely to be replaced by machines   The 10 jobs least at-risk of automation (%) 1 Medical Practitioners 18.11% 2 University Lecturers 20.27% 3 Senior Professionals in Education 20.56% 4 Secondary School Teachers 20.61% 5 Dental Practitioners 20.78% 6 Psychologists 20.87% 7 Medical Radiographers 20.99% 8 Physiotherapists 21.23% 9 Occupational Therapists 21.48% 10 Nursery/Primary School Teachers 22.03% Those who work as medical practitioners are least likely to be replaced, with only an 18.11% chance of automated replacements taking their jobs. This is due to the intense training required, alongside the variety of the day-to-day role. In second and third are university professionals and senior education professionals. It is difficult to automate roles within the education field as students require personalised help with their studies. Secondary school teachers come forth, while nursery/primary school teachers come in tenth, suggesting we won’t see robots teaching our kids anytime soon! All other professions in the top ten are medically related, demonstrating that education and medical care are areas which still require a human touch, and are most likely to for some time. Which trades are safe from automation?  What about electricians? Do you need to worry that your work will be done by a robot, with all the tools attached to its gadget arm? Well, not just yet. Electricians face a 50.75% chance of becoming automated, with the skills you need to perform your work unable to be replicated by a machine for the time being. If you work in construction the chance is even smaller, with automation only 25.70% likely, while plumbers (52.11%) and carpenters (53.43%) face a slightly higher risk of robots taking over. While advancements in electrical tools will certainly make your job easier, they certainly won’t make it go away. Dominick Sandford, Director ElectricalDirect says, “No longer the stuff of fantasy, the technological revolution has brought within reach what many Sci-Fi writers long predicted - an automated workforce led by AI enabled robots. It may not look or feel quite how it was imagined, with COVID-19 ushering in many forms of automated services which may already seem like they’ve been here forever. However, in the long term, such huge technological leaps forward in the way our services are provided and consumer demands are met could change the entire nature of our workforce and our entire economy."

NAPIT EXPO Roadshow is now to return for 2021

In anticipation of events set to take place again later this year, NAPIT have officially released the rescheduled dates and locations for the NAPIT EXPO Technical Roadshow for 2021/22. The Roadshow is a networking and CPD event for like-minded people in the industry, open to both members and non-members free of charge. On the day of the events support will be available including on-site technical, training and membership advice. View the schedule of dates and locations below: PRESTON 1st September 2021 DURHAM 2nd September 2021 HULL 5th October 2021 COVENTRY 6th October 2021 BRACKNELL 27th October 2021 SWANSEA 28th October 2021 DARTFORD 10th November 2021 NORWICH 11th November 2021 MILTON KEYNES 1st December 2021 CHESTERFIELD 2nd December 2021 CORNWALL 9th February 2022 EXETER 10th February 2022 ROMFORD 9th March 2022 BRIGHTON 10th March 2022 Supporting partners; NAPIT Trade Association, NAPIT Insurance, Megger, EPSON, Hager, Scolmore, Surge Protection Devices, GARO, CHINT, AICO, DEHN, eSales Hub, BASEC and TradePoint will be joining each event and on the day visitors can browse the latest products and services, receive live demos and take away free gifts. Mike Andrews, NAPIT’s Group Chief Executive commented: “We are looking forward to re-opening the doors to our NAPIT EXPO Technical Roadshow and meeting our members face to face again this Autumn, following the go ahead from the Government providing it is safe to do so. It has been a tough year, so getting out to network with like-minded industry professionals will be a welcomed change. Visitors at our events can expect on-site technical, training and membership advice as well as exclusive technical CPD masterclasses hosted by our experts. It won’t be one to miss!” As always, the Technical Roadshows are FREE to attend for both NAPIT members and non-members. All visitors will receive a digital CPD certificate of attendance. The new seminar schedule will be announced soon. All relevant COVID Health & Safety protocols will be adhered to making both the exhibitor and visitor experiences as safe as possible. Should restrictions change nearer the time NAPIT will continue to keep visitors informed of any date amendments.

Opening a portal to greater network visibility

EA Technology has worked together with two key partners to develop an innovative power grid web portal, the Network Visibility project. Aligning with Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and SP Energy Networks, EA Technology has created a web portal where data being monitored from around 600 substations across the region can be shared. The aim is to maximise the visibility of the capacity and usage across the network, which will enable the acceleration of the journey to net zero emissions in the UK, through the increased use of electricity over fossil fuels. This network in the north west of England, is one of the most monitored networks of its type in the world. EA Technology’s portal will help reduce the emission of carbon and other environmentally damaging pollutants, by enabling operators and customers to identify quickly and easily where there is capacity available on the local grid. This four-year, £1.65 million Network Visibility project, which has been jointly funded between Cheshire and Warrington LEP and EA Technology, enables substation data from SP Energy Networks to be available to the general public from a newly developed web portal for a minimum of three years. Graphs show load and voltage in near real time, with only a 24-hour delay. The portal allows network operators and people looking to make connections to find the most suitable location. It will be especially helpful connecting renewables or EV charging points. This data analysis can help industries change their processes and move towards greater electrification, helping them achieve their decarbonisation targets. The data and portal are curated and operated by EA Technology, with the project website providing loading data in an accessible manner, using graphs, with transformer demand and voltage shared. It can also be analysed for use on a commercial basis. The website was unveiled in a soft launch in April, with further phases planned, including a virtual tour of its capabilities. The website will be useful for different groups, including Planners and Local Authorities, EV charge point providers, renewables connections/flexibility providers, industrial users and other LEPs (to introduce or replicate the information share and data analysis). It will also be available to universities – for the ongoing study of power engineering – and community groups, who can see how power is used and distributed within their own local areas. Liam, O’Sullivan, SP Manweb Director at SP Energy Networks comments: “We are pleased to be working with EA Technology and the Cheshire and Warrington LEP on this project, which is an example of how data sharing and digitalisation can really accelerate the decarbonisation of the energy landscape. The ambitious Net Zero targets set by government mean pioneering initiatives like this are critical, and by sharing greater visibility of energy usage, we enable better informed decision making as the uptake of low carbon technologies continues to increase.” Robert Davis, CEO at EA Technology adds: “The ability to micro analyse data is proving invaluable, as ways of cutting emission and power usage are under constant scrutiny. The drive to net zero is finding new ways to streamline power generation and waste. We’re very pleased to be part of this initiative and for our expertise to facilitate the future success of this project. We hope many more power providers and LEPs see the advantages of this portal and implement it across their own regions.”

Good news for geese- Gaywood skyline changes for the better

There is a new skyline and a clear view at Gaywood, near Kings Lynn today, as the familiar sight of electricity cables over the A149 and across the fields have disappeared. A £3 million project to remove the 50-year-old poles and install new cables underground has now been completed by UK Power Networks. It is also good news for geese as it has removed the risk of them flying into power lines after feeding nearby. The project to remove 68 poles and lines that stretched across almost four kilometres in Gaywood, Snettisham and Little Massingham, began in July last year and involved cabling under fields, crossing land next to Gaywood River and drilling beneath the A149. It means the power supplies to around 20,000 customers in the area will continue to be reliable in the future. Project manager Ivan Churchman says: “It’s great to show everyone the improved views. The final poles and cables went last week marking the culmination of an investment project that will maintain reliable electricity supplies for the residents, businesses and communities we serve in the Gaywood area. “Putting the cables underground will improve the quality and reliability of the electricity supplies and provide a clear skyline for the views adjacent to the Bawsey Ruins of the Church of St James.” UK Power Networks delivers electricity to 18 million people across the East of England, London and the South East through cables, substations and power lines, and invests around £600 million each year in running safe and reliable networks.

British Cables Company gains framework agreement with Network Rail

British Cables Company (BCC) has gained a 5-year framework agreement to supply a range of specialist cables to Network Rail. The agreement, which was confirmed in April this year, met Network Rail’s key objective to create an industry-leading supply chain, focused on infrastructure reliability, safety and financial efficiency. Nick Bowman, BCC’s Sales Director comments, “We are exceptionally pleased about becoming just one of three suppliers appointed to the framework, with our products supplied directly to Network Rail’s 9 regional distribution centres across the UK. “The framework requires us to supply telecoms, power, signalling and fibre cables and these will be delivered to support either quick reaction maintenance jobs or longer-term projects. “This is significant recognition for our business which has been designing and manufacturing cables at our Manchester factory since 1895. Our commitment to producing the highest quality products, backed up with excellent logistics, customer service and technical support, has contributed significantly to BCC gaining such a prestigious contract. “We are looking forward to developing our relationship with Network Rail”, Nick concludes.

Superpedestrian rapidly expands e-scooter service in europe

Superpedestrian is rapidly expanding its shared e-scooter service in Europe, having launched in nine new locations in just three months. It is on track to serve residents in more than 30 European cities by the end of 2021. After making its European debut in Rome in September 2020, Superpedestrian introduced shared fleets of its LINK scooter to Madrid and Alcalá de Henares by the end of that year. Now, on the back of a series of additional city partnerships, the company born out of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is expanding its reach even further, with new cities added in Austria, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. By September 2021 - just one year since Superpedestrian began operating its shared e-scooter fleets on the continent - the company’s intelligent e-scooters will be serving residents in more than 24 European cities and enabling around 100,000 miles of emissions-free travel every day. Superpedestrian Vice President EMEA, Haya Douidri says : “This achievement is confirmation that Superpedestrian’s shared e-scooters are now really taking off in Europe. Adding nine locations in just a few weeks, with a further seven to come by the end of June, and serving 24 European cities less than one year after entering the market, are tremendous achievements. It’s proof that our market-leading safe and smart e-scooters, with their robust design and advanced self-diagnostic and self-protection technologies, are ideally suited to Europe’s cities, riders and pedestrians.” In March alone, Superpedestrian e-scooters began operating in three new cities, including Aprilia and Turin in Italy and Malaga in Spain. They were joined by Palermo in early April, and later that month Vienna became the home of Superpedestrian’s 30th fleet of shared e-scooters globally. Further launches recently took place in Stockholm, Lisbon and several Spanish towns. Seven new locations are due in Italy before the end of June. As it expands its European operations, Superpedestrian is establishing a team of operations managers, most of them local hires, and a network of local businesses for fleet management support. The experienced team includes Mario Martin, Regional Operations Manager for Spain, who until recently was CEO at micromobility firm UFO. The LINK e-scooter is the result of eight years of AI development and two years of chassis and powertrain design and validation. The result is the world’s smartest and safest e-scooter, featuring the ground-breaking Vehicle Intelligent Safety system (VIS). Onboard software, combined with five processors and 73 sensors, allows VIS to detect and respond to hazards in milliseconds. VIS is as big a step-change in scooter safety as the seat belt was for cars. It is capable of running 1,000 vehicle health checks every second, fine-tuning performance in real-time to prevent component failures and removing vehicles from service if it detects vandalism damage or anti-social behaviour. This pioneering technology underpins Superpedestrian’s impeccable record in safety (for riders and pedestrians) and superb city compliance.

Over a quarter of Brits opt for new trades post-pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a number of lifestyle changes for many, from a shift to remote working, through to the ‘race for space,’ an uptick in outdoor activities and even an increase in home cooking. However, it is not just our lifestyles that have changed, but our careers too. Businesses have faced a challenging time over the last year and whilst government support measures like the furlough scheme have gone a long way to protect jobs during the pandemic, they have not provided a catch all solution, leading to a record high in redundancies last year and an unemployment rate of 4.8% this year. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to see that many people are beginning to use this opportunity to train for a new profession, specifically in the trade industry. Online learning portal, Access Training UK revealed a 29% increase in applicants to its trade courses in 2020, including a noticeable 14% increase in female applicants. It seems training to be an electrician has been the most popular avenue over the last year with a 38% increase in trainees. closely followed by gas engineer courses (29%), plumber courses (24%) and carpentry courses (13%). In addition, there is also a large proportion of the population who are reconsidering their career path. 40% are considering leaving their employer this year to pursue other avenues and one in five of the global workforce have confessed to being concerned about their work-life balance. Having spent more time at home over the last year than ever before, the prospect of entrepreneurship and being your own boss has become more appealing than ever. Whilst embarking on a new career and learning new skills can be exciting, it is important to consider all your options and to get expert advice before taking the next step. To support those looking for a path to employment and those who are hoping to embark on a new challenge, Access Training UK has shared its five top tips to consider: What are your skills and capabilities? Take time to understand your strengths, as well as your weaknesses. By having a clear understanding of your capabilities, you will be able to get a clearer picture of whether you are suited to the career you are seeking What are your goals? It is important to set clear short term and long term goals from the outset. This will enable you to create a roadmap to your dream job and can relate to the recruitment, application or training processes necessary to take the first steps in changing your career Do your research! Research cannot be overestimated. Read up on the requirements of your dream job, the wider industry and the qualifications required to ensure your long term success Pick the correct training provider for you. Make sure that if you require qualifications you pick a training provider that is willing to invest in you and your career. They should have strong connections in the industry you wish to work in as networking is essential when starting out, especially in the trade industry. Put in the hard work. It is a cliche’ but quite simply, you will only get out what you put in. Starting a new career and training for new qualifications requires commitment, perseverance and a willingness to succeed.

Take your first steps into BEMS with the BCIA's introduction to HVAC

With efficient building management taking on increasing importance in a post-COVID world, as well as the UK’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) is encouraging trades personnel and anyone who is regularly involved with building management to improve their basic knowledge of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) with its introductory BCM00 course. The Introduction to Building Controls and HVAC is a one-day introductory course aimed at those who do not require the full technical detail of the building controls courses BCM01-BCM06, or who are new to this area of the industry. Designed for facilities managers and estates managers, as well as electricians and other building services trades personnel who wish to become more informed in this sphere of work, the course provides full coverage of day-to-day involvement in building controls and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), but at a level that does not focus on the technical detail. Anyone who successfully completes the BCM00 exam is eligible to apply for the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Building Controls Associate card, provided the applicant has also completed an ECS Electrical Safety Unit Assessment and a current ECS Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Assessment. A Building Controls Associate will typically be active in a support role as part of a team of Building Controls Engineers. The BCM00 course exam and the ECS HSE Assessment can both now be taken online using the Remote Invigilation service on the ECS website, which allows delegates to take a formal ECS assessment without having to travel to a centre. Terry Sharp, President of the BCIA, says: “A lot of the technology that goes into buildings is advanced and complex and requires qualified engineers to install it. However, many people whose job it is to manage and maintain buildings could really benefit from having a basic knowledge of what they are working with. BCM00 provides the first steps into understanding how BEMS operate.”

Home improvements were the backbone of British relationships last year

Over the course of the pandemic, home was very much where the heart was forced to stay, and as a result of multiple lockdowns, house renovations have steadily become Britain's favourite pastime. Using this as an opportunity to improve their surroundings and create more internal differentiation, 43% of Brits found that their home improvement project helped them with their mental health during the pandemic. In new national research by Powered Now, 25% of Brits agreed that as a result of the pandemic, DIY and home improvements has become their favourite hobbies, with a further 37% of Brits finding that completing a home improvement with their partner made their relationship stronger. The research also highlights that Brits have spent an average of £2,011 per person on home refurbishments, with the total spent by British consumers on home improvements amounting to £110.3bn, signalling an increase in expenditure by 29.7%. Key Stats: 43% of Brits found that their home improvement project helped them with their mental health during the pandemic 37% of Brits found that completing a home improvement with their partner made their relationship stronger 25% of Brits agreed that as a result of the pandemic, DIY and home improvements has become their favourite hobbies Brits spent £110.8 bn on home improvements during lockdown 37% of Brits experienced tradespeople that they wanted to use being too busy to do the work that they wanted during the pandemic 34% of Brits agreed that hiring a tradesperson was the only service that they used during the lockdowns Further signifying the importance of home improvements to our mental health, Brits have detailed in the research that tradespeople were the only services that they hired in periods of lockdown. With 34% of Brits agreeing to this, the desire for tradespeople was so extreme, that 37% of Brits said that the builder they wanted to use was too busy to do the work that they wanted during the pandemic. Ben Dyer, CEO of Powered Now, comments "Brits have clearly realised the great benefits of home renovations that extend beyond aesthetics. As a hobby and activity that has brought people together, it's been amazing to see detailed in our research just how pivotal home improvements were to the mental health of the nation, as we all took on the task of battling lockdown. Fuelled by popular culture and social media, we have embraced DIY projects with open arms, and they have been an essential part of our family life in such extraordinary times." "The news that consumer spending is through the roof directly correlates from what we have seen on the ground too. We have witnessed tradespeople experiencing their highest client demand ever during the course of 2020, and these figures are very much in line with what we actually would have expected. If you look to the hardware retailers that were allowed to remain open when other non-essential retail wasn't, they have performed so incredibly, further indicating the desire people have had for home improvements."

Nexans will electrify Shetland's future with power cable contract

Nexans has been awarded a multi-million euro contract by SSE Renewables to supply 800 km of underground cables that will make the vital power connections for the Viking Wind Farm. The wind farm on Shetland in the North Atlantic, 170 km from the coast of Scotland, is scheduled to go online in 2024. With a peak output of 443 MW, it will provide enough renewable energy for almost half a million homes and play a crucial role in helping Scotland achieve its net-zero targets. The Viking Wind Farm will comprise 103 wind turbines set around the central mainland of Shetland. The 33 kilovolt (kV) underground cables supplied by Nexans will link the wind turbine arrays together and then export the power to the main substation for feeding into the interconnector that will transfer it to the UK grid. Derek Hastings, Head of Onshore Projects at SSE Renewables says: “The performance and reliability of the underground power cables are critical to the success of the Viking Wind Farm. There were two main reasons for awarding the contract to Nexans. First, the cables met our stringent technical requirements. Second, and very important for us, was Nexans’ ability to provide a fixed price over the 18-month contract period. This overcame the current volatility in metal and plastics pricing.” The 650 km of underground cables to be supplied by Nexans are a single core design with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation. The conductors for the inter-array cables will be aluminium. Copper will be used to carry the higher current for the export cables. Nexans is also supplying 150 km of bare copper earth cable. Max Williams, Utility Sales Director for Nexans UK, comments: “We are delighted to be involved in the Viking Wind Farm project. It is a perfect fit with Nexans’ ambition to electrify the future. The contract builds on our long-established working relationship with SSE. It also confirms Nexans’s capability to support major UK clients with large-volume, land-based power cable projects at distribution voltages.” The cables for the Viking Wind Farm will be manufactured at the Nexans Hellas plant in Lamia, Greece and will be supplied via Nexans UK. First deliveries are scheduled for September 2021.