SECTT to hold talks with Minister over Apprenticeship Employer Grants

Access to Scottish Government Apprenticeship Employer Grants for companies in the electrical sector is to be discussed at Ministerial level following an intervention by the industry’s training specialist. The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) is due to meet Jamie Hepburn MSP, the Minister for Business, Fair work and Skills later this month to try and resolve the issue. The action was initiated after being discussed by SECTT, electrotechnical trade association SELECT and the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) in response to concerns raised by businesses that they were being unfairly excluded from the scheme. The grants scheme, which opens this month (January 2021), was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and provides sums of up to £5,000 for employers to take on an apprentice or upskill an existing member of staff through apprenticeship. However, the grants are only valid for apprentices recruited after 1 December 2020. This directly and adversely affects the electrical industry, which aligns with the academic year and has already taken on some 470 apprentices since the late summer of 2020. Anne Galbraith, Chief Executive of SECTT, explains: “It feels that we are being punished for being ahead of the game by encouraging employers to give young people a chance. “Given that the industry has gone the extra mile not only to afford young people a future, but to enhance its skillsets, it would seem reasonable to ask that the eligibility date could be backdated to the start of the academic year, when so many electrical firms hired. “Alternatively, the Scottish Government could simply provide a fixed amount for employers who take on apprentices, rather than imposing this arbitrary time restriction.” Galbraith said that she was looking forward to discussions with the Minister, who said in December: “We are taking every step within our power to create a stronger, more resilient, sustainable economy as we work to recover from the pandemic.” She comments: “We are grateful to Hepburn for his response and we are keen to work on behalf of SELECT and the SJIB to find a solution. “The only people who will benefit from the scheme are private and in-house training providers.” Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, says: “Electrical businesses have always shown a commitment to apprenticeships, which makes an impact on the Scottish economy. “I am optimistic that the talks between SECTT and Mr Hepburn will find a way to resolve this issue.”

Joint effort to unlock EV charging for all

Five local authorities are joining forces with the UK’s biggest electricity network operator in a bid to end electric vehicle (EV) charging blackspots. Charge Collective, a pilot project being launched by UK Power Networks, will see it partner with local councils in Cambridge, Norwich and London to help ensure nobody is left behind in the EV revolution. The aim is to ensure that everyone has the confidence to switch to EVs. By sharing data and expertise, the local authorities will help UK Power Networks to identify charge point blackspots. The network operator will then hold a competition to incentivise investors to bid at the lowest cost to deliver the priority charge points. Taking a co-ordinated approach aims to make it more financially viable for charge point operators to create a wider network of public chargers. UK Power Networks will collaborate with Cambridge City and Cambridgeshire County Councils, Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and the London Borough of Redbridge. They will work to identify areas that have yet to install enough electric vehicle chargers and would benefit from improved air quality. These areas are likely to be in towns. The scheme will develop a framework to measure the benefits of better air quality and reduced emissions that come with driving EVs. Last November, the Government unveiled its Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution to enable the country to meet its target by 2050. Transport remains the biggest cause of pollution in the UK, being 28% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Ian Cameron, head of customer services and innovation at UK Power Networks says: “Electricity networks have a key role in enabling the uptake of electric vehicles so that the country can meet its Net Zero commitments. This project is going to help us discover how we can support our communities to get more charge points into areas that need them at the lowest cost to consumers, ensuring that nobody is left behind.” Charge Collective will help assess how much of a discount to connect to the electricity network is required, encouraging charge point installers to invest in areas where the market is struggling to deliver today. Rosy Moore, executive councillor Climate Change, Environment and the City Centre for Cambridge City Council says: “By working with UK Power Networks this project will enable residential to benefit from electric vehicle charge points. This will support the transition to Electric Vehicle use in the city and cut air pollution.”

Lighting growth in Australasia accelerates with Ventola

A lighting specialist is set to illuminate new territories in 2021 after its products were approved for use in Australia and New Zealand. The expansion builds on continued export growth across the US, Europe and Middle East for the Leicestershire based business. Ventola Projects has enjoyed success overseas in recent years, with Las Vegas hospitality venues, US Air Force bases and even a Qatari Royal Family palace benefiting from the lighting effects Ventola can provide. Distribution is set up across the US and the Middle East, and with the prospect of free trade deals circling the UK Brexit stratosphere, Ventola has decided to extend IEC compliance of his products to the Australasia region. “We’re delighted to kickstart the year with growth into new territories alongside plans to further expand existing export markets,” says Ventola Projects founder, Mick Ventola. “We’ve been operating successfully overseas for a number of years, steadily building our distribution network whilst keeping production right here in the UK. “This allows us to keep control over the output of our product, whilst still ensuring there are lines of communication across the supply chain, with installations at Family Entertainment Centre venues, hotels, bars and clubs across the world.” Computer controlled, Ventola’s VAvR lighting operates as an efficient multi-function system, with multiple lighting effects lending itself to a variety of entertainment propositions. Most commonly, Ventola installs its products in FECs – the type of leisure venues that usually comprise of bowling, mini golf, arcades, bar and restaurant areas. Here in the UK, Ventola Projects enjoys a relationship with Ten Entertainment Group (TEG), which is most commonly associated in consumer minds to Tenpin. Most recently, Ventola installed a VAvR experiential projection and LED lighting system at TEG’s famous Printworks venue in Manchester, as new and ever more inventive visual effects within the bowling experience evolve to grab consumer attention. “Lighting is just one of a number of visual effects that are playing a huge part in transforming the bowling experience across the industry,” explains Graham Blackwell, CEO of Ten Entertainment Group. “We’ve worked with Ventola Projects for a number of years, with their VAvR LED products helping to grab guests’ attention and enhance the enjoyment of families seeking to relax and unwind at our venues across the UK.” Flying the flag for Britain, Mick Ventola has been ranked as a Midlands Engine Export Champion by HM Department for International Trade (DIT) three years running. Highlighting the best of British, Ventola will be hoping to champion the nation’s manufacturing credentials further in 2021, as it seeks to strategise a new Australasian presence in the year ahead. “We’ve always found Mick’s approach very proactive and forward thinking,” comments Anya J.M. Novak, sector specialist for construction and environmental technologies, DIT East Midlands. “He’s a problem solver and always of a positive mindset, something we found when Mick joined the DIT’s trade mission to a major exhibition called CONEXPO/CON-AGG in the USA in March 2019.”

Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector

Charlotte Lee, Head of External Affairs at NAPIT, provides an overview of The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, and how to remain compliant amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With the 1st April 2021 deadline fast approaching for all homes with an existing specified tenancy required to have in place, or to have carried out, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which has been completed by a qualified and competent person, the restrictions faced by many due to COVID-19 have caused some concern for landlords and letting agents regarding compliance. These concerns have been exacerbated by the latest National Lockdown, announced on the 4th January 2021. The Regulations make it clear that every electrical installation in the residential premises must be inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding five years, and if the resulting EICR is found to be Unsatisfactory then remedial and further investigative work needs to be completed within 28 days of the report being carried out. An EICR falls into two categories, Unsatisfactory or Satisfactory. An Unsatisfactory EICR is one which has Observation Codes C1, C2 and/or Further Investigation (FI), which indicate an electrical danger is present, or further work is needed to ascertain whether a danger is present. A Satisfactory EICR has observation Codes, C3 or no other observation codes. A C3 observation is given when the safety of an installation could be improved if an update was made to the electrical installation, but as it stands the electrical installation isn’t unsafe. Landlords are not required to take any action to rectify C3 observations, but they may choose to do so. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 were published in January 2020, when the impact of COVID-19 was unforeseeable. The nationwide restrictions faced by all have undoubtedly made complying with these Regulations more challenging than was intended, due to restricted access to homes, restricted working, shielding, isolating and anxiety. However, the safety of people in their homes is paramount to the Government who have made it clear that all reasonable steps must be taken to ensure the electrical safety of privately rented homes. This is set out in Part 3, Section 5 of the Regulations. The Government have also made clear that during the January 2021 National Lockdown, those who cannot work from home, including those working in construction can go to work, meaning that electrical contractors are still able to undertake electrical inspection, testing, installation and remedial work in dwellings. That being said, the Government have published specific guidance for Local Authorities on the enforcement of standards in rented properties, which states in relation to the Electrical Safety Regulations: “A landlord would not be in breach of the duty to comply with a remedial notice if the landlord can show they have taken all reasonable steps to comply.” It goes on to say: “A landlord could show reasonable steps by keeping copies of all communications they have had with their tenants and with engineers as they tried to arrange the work, including any replies they have had. Landlords may also want to provide other evidence they have that the installation, is in a good condition while they attempt to arrange works.”

Schneider Electric retrofits offices to improve safety for employees

Schneider Electric has deployed its innovative EcoStruxure Workplace Advisor system across its London, Warrington, and Coventry offices. The system will manage an area of 4,550m2  across the three offices. The target space utilisation improvement from its deployment is 12% in London, 15% in Coventry, and 15% in Warrington. Schneider Electric hopes this will result in a combined annual return of £100k+ through improvements in space utilisation and design. The smart workplace system offers Schneider Electric’s building managers a live view of office occupancy, while also allowing them to monitor limits for spaces to control social distancing and set policies. This will help give the 300+ employees it covers peace of mind around the return to the office. The EcoStruxure Workplace Advisor system is not just a solution for the immediate return to work post-Covid. It will also help Schneider Electric to inform long-term real estate decisions, optimise the use of space, improve comfort, and enhance productivity, enabling a more flexible and efficient office and homeworking combination. “EcoStruxure Workplace Advisor will enable our building managers to ensure workplaces are not just safer and healthier but also more energy-efficient and sustainable. We hope to roll out the system more widely across our entire building portfolio,” says Zane Mansha, Senior Building Services Specialist at Schneider Electric. "The additional data which Workplace Advisor provides to decision-makers will help Schneider Electric to improve its building stock, both in terms of comfort for employees, and productivity for the wider company. It will enable us to create optimal office conditions that make our people’s experience more rewarding.” The system can be installed and commissioned within a few weeks of order placement, with a local, functioning mains power outlet being the only requirement for gateways as the majority of the IoT sensors are battery-powered. EcoStruxure Workplace Advisor is a stand-alone system, however, like all EcoStruxure Solutions, it can accept input from other building controls such as Schneider Electric’s Connected Room Solution. Real-time information is collected from wireless sensors that monitor occupancy and environmental characteristics. The building information is collated on Schneider Electric’s secure cloud and then analysed to enable real-time monitoring and data-driven decisions to be made. EcoStruxure Workplace Advisor can provide a single overview across a portfolio of properties, enabling economies of scale and remote monitoring or troubleshooting.

CNet Training celebrates its 25th anniversary

Until its 25th year, CNet has been delivering professional technical education programs to individuals and businesses across the globe. CNet awards both industry recognised qualifications and official certifications. Since launching in 1996, the CNet team has grown, delivering and expanding its delivery locations and program offerings. Over the last 25 years, CNet is proud to have educated over 70,000 individuals, in 45 countries to 153 different nationalities in 218 delivery locations and in 19 time zones. All of CNet’s programs are delivered by CNet’s expert Instructor team who are full-time employees based across the globe, providing learners with access to some of the most respected technical minds in the data centre and network infrastructure industry. To celebrate its 25th, CNet has also re-designed its brand logo especially for 2021. CNet was established with a focus on training military personnel in internal and external copper and fibre cable installation. Originated by CNet, The Global Digital Infrastructure Education Framework is recognised worldwide. In 2017, CNet launched its live instructor-led Remote Attendance capability, initially anticipating a drive to need to operate in a more sustainable and environmentally sensitive way. Remote Attendance has allowed learning to continue throughout a global pandemic and make learning even more accessible across the world. Learners can now select the best time to attend a program from a wide variety of time zones available across the globe. CNet is no stranger to accolades, after two years it won the Networking Industry Award for Training Company of the Year (1998). CNet has been awarded 22 Industry and Recognition Awards. CNet has also been awarded the Defence Employment Recognition Silver Award recognising CNet’s on-going work and support to the Armed Forces community over the last 25 years. President and CEO Andrew Stevens has been with CNet since 1998 and is the driving force and key voice across the industry on the importance of education and his desire to leave a legacy and make the industry a better place for all. He is committed to increasing awareness of the Digital Infrastructure Industry to provide clear pathways for people to enter the industry. “Companies don’t last to their 25th year without hard work and a dedication. I’m grateful to have such a talented team, many who have worked for the company for a long time and all are driven to help CNet succeed. We have fantastic relationships with our customers, industry associations and media contacts across the world, many of whom we think of as close friends and we wouldn’t be where we are now without them. I love leading the CNet team and seeing all that we have achieved over the years. We have created a fantastic educational framework that I’m immensely proud of and we never want to standstill. We are always striving to do more, and we have a lot of exciting things coming over the next couple of years, so watch this space!” Looking ahead, CNet is working on exciting plans to expand its technical offering, adding more programs to its renowned education framework and working alongside the industry and leading organisations to create further technical apprenticeships for the network infrastructure sector. This will help to encourage more people into the industry and work as an industry to tackle the on-going skills shortage and make it a more inclusive workplace.

Scolmore Group- here to support your business

It isn’t the start of the year that any of us had hoped for, but we remain optimistic that the roll out of the vaccine programme will help speed up the process of restoring some semblance of normal home and working lives for everyone. For now, however, we continue to face the challenges of another national lockdown. Unlike the early days of the first lockdown, construction sites are able to carry on working and tradespeople can also continue to work in other people’s homes. The key to all of this is the adherence to strict Covid secure guidelines, and across the Scolmore group of companies they have measures in place to ensure the safety of their staff, customers and suppliers. Difficulty in getting hold of some products continues to be an issue for many sectors, but Scolmore have reassured its customers and end users that they are able to continue to supply its full range of products to the professional electrical market. The company’s ability to always hold vast stock levels means that it is able to fulfil orders from across the group, with a full range of wiring accessories, lighting and lighting control products from Ovia, security and fire protection products from ESP and cable accessory products from Unicrimp  all currently available. As we saw in the first lockdown, there is an appetite for learning and plenty of opportunities to remotely access the latest industry news and developments, get up to speed with recent new product developments and legislation, and for individuals to take on some training to enhance their skill set. Across the Scolmore Group of companies there are resources that contractors and wholesalers can access. Each group company website hosts a range of products, including range catalogues as well as technical specification brochures. Product videos that make it easy to understand the workings of individual products can be accessed on YouTube. There are case studies demonstrating how products from the group have been specified and installed to provide solutions for specific projects and these include the recent use of our Mode antimicrobial wiring accessories at a newly expanded emergency care unit. The ‘in the press’ sections provide some in depth articles covering a range of topics from smart solutions, to fire-rated downlights safety. Last year the Scolmore App was updated to incorporate all the businesses within the group. This means users can now access the full range of products and services from Scolmore, Ovia, ESP and Unicrimp – with just one click.

ERF Electrical appoints new Managing Director as part of its growth plan

Electrical wholesaler ERF has appointed Andy Laycock as its new Managing Director to drive the company's next phase of digitalisation and growth. The scheduled transition is part of a two year plan, with Robin Combellack being appointed Chief Executive Officer. In his new role of Chief Executive Officer, Robin Combellack will continue to play a crucial part in the business, despite handing over the day to day management of the company to Andy.  Robin comments: "We have built a committed and talented team headed by Andy Laycock which will drive through on our investment and achieve the targets they have set themselves." Andy has been with the Nottingham-based, family owned company for 15 years, working as Sales Director. He says: “I am delighted and feel truly privileged to be given the opportunity to lead our business into the next phase of transformation. “A new era, shaped by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is emerging, and it’s one in which we will drive growth and customer service levels forward through digitalisation, whilst at the same time continuing to embrace the importance of personal relationships throughout our entire supply chain.” Robin adds: “Andy has the company's interests ingrained in him. He played a major role in writing and embedding our core values into the business. Fifteen years of working together along with two years of planning mean we have every confidence Andy will expand the business and allow me to work on the group and our strategy.” As part of the growth strategy to keep ERF at the forefront of the independent wholesaling market, the company will also launch ERF online - a full ecommerce platform which will allow customers to trade online 24/7.  The company, which has 12 branch locations, has continually invested into the digitalisation of the business in recent years. This has seen it adopt a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system ensuring ERF can utilise the benefits of cloud technology. As part of this development, a new customer relationship management (CRM) package will launch later this month as well.  ERF have also further invested in their commercial fleet, with brand new rapid response pick-up trucks operating from each location. As the industry's working hours extend, so does ERF’s infrastructure and service offering for their customers.

Schaeffler Sondermaschinenbau standardises with Eplan

Schaeffler Sondermaschinenbau is standardising electrical designs across its numerous locations – with the help of Eplan software. The company has 1,700 employees across 13 locations, making it one of the major players in the machine building sector. Until now, however, it has had just one major customer – the rest of the Schaeffler Group, which has 84,200 employees at 170 locations worldwide and a turnover of €14.4 billion. The exceptional knowhow and expertise of Schaeffler Sondermaschinenbau is, however, now being made available to customers outside the Group. Director Bernd Wollenick says, “We’re opening up new fields of activity and customer target groups. The focus is on assembly and testing systems as well as processing machines for grinding and honing. We will also be drawing on our product knowledge in the areas of robotics, vision and handling systems, and production IT.” The decision to offer services outside the Schaeffler Group is one of the key factors driving the standardisation of electrical design software across the company’s sites. Many of these were already using Eplan software, but in slightly different ways. A project team of key users is responsible for the standardisation programme and Stefan Vietz, an electrical design engineer at Schaeffler Sondermaschinenbau, comments “We’re developing a common, harmonised infrastructure using the Eplan Platform, which will enable us to collaborate worldwide. It will allow us to deploy our capabilities in the best possible way and increase flexibility at our development sites.” As part of the standardisation process, the project team is following global codes and norms, particularly EN 81346. Team member, Sascha Jäger explains, “We have developed code-compliant templates that are accessible to all employees, including those in manufacturing. Basic information such as equipment identification and plant/location assignment are standardised, along with device management. It goes almost without saying that every component is also stored in the ERP system with all of its relevant data”. The team has created macros for frequently used devices with a clear goal in mind. “To each device, we assigned a comprehensive data set,” continues Jäger, “as this makes manufacturing easier. Our guiding principle is that whoever needs data should be able to access it easily. This is important because, in the future, we expect more and more external customers to be requesting data for purposes like the preliminary system acceptance.” In Bühl, Schaeffler Sondermaschinenbau is already using Eplan Pro Panel to create 3D designs for control cabinets and, in the future, Pro Panel will be used worldwide since its advantages are significant. Jäger gives an example. “If the designer places a frequency inverter on a mounting panel, the drilling pattern is automatically stored, and the data can be transferred to a Perforex system as a DXF file. This saves time in both design and production.” The next steps planned include transferring data from Pro Panel to external wire fabricators. Vietz says: “We will then receive labelled wires with end sleeves, or finished wire sets. This saves a lot of time, especially for projects using the American UL standard.” Right now, key users are testing Eplan eVIEW for support during commissioning. Jäger notes, “The production department or the commissioning technician can call up the schematics on a tablet computer and view the details directly. There is no longer any need to print out the schematics and the latest data is always at hand.” Vietz adds, “With Eplan eVIEW, the commissioning technician can use the redlining function to directly mark where they’ve made onsite changes. Three or four commissioning technicians can work on a system at the same time and always have the same documentation status in front of them. This also facilitates communication with the programmers – and not just during commissioning.” Two years after starting the project, the key users don’t yet think they’ve reached their goals, but they’re definitely on the right track. Major steps towards standardisation have been completed. Schaeffler Sondermaschinenbau has successfully positioned itself in the external market, and its first systems have already been delivered to customers outside the Schaeffler Group.

New campaign stresses fatal consequences of not isolating safely

Electrical trade body Select has launched a major safe isolation awareness campaign to help keep electricians and apprentices free from harm at work in 2021. Running under the banner ‘Work dead safely: Stay alive’, Scotland’s largest construction trade association has produced an engaging new animation, brochure and infographic to stress the importance of observing correct safe isolation procedures. The trade body also graphically reinforces the dangers of not isolating safely, with tragic case studies of electricians who have been burned, scarred for life and even killed in preventable electrical incidents caused by a lack of safe isolation. Dave Forrester, Head of Technical Services at Select, says: “This is an important initiative in which we must stress and stress again that we work in a complex and dangerous environment in which safety must come first regardless of the circumstances. “Many of us in this sector know that not isolating safely can have horrific consequences, including electric shock and burns, some tragically fatal. Contact with an electrical current can lead to heart failure and burning of the skin and even internal organs. “Working with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), we at Select will do everything in our power to hammer home the urgent necessity of following the guidance and carrying out the checks that employers put in place.” Designed to be shared online, on-site and in offices and colleges, the messaging clearly explains the importance of ensuring that supply is cut off from all, or any discrete part of, an installation by separating it from every source of electrical supply. The advice and guidance – which includes Ten Steps to Safe Isolation – is aimed at electricians who are recent entrants to the profession as well as apprentices in training, but the shrewd common sense of the messages is relevant to even the most experienced electrician. Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “Safe isolation is a vital procedure to ensure that anyone working on or near live electrical systems isn’t exposed to danger or death. Having the procedures clearly documented will protect and benefit everyone in the sector. “The information is designed not only to encourage greater safety – and awareness of safety – but also as a tool for apprentices and others to ensure that best practice is ingrained from the outset.