Electrical Training Routes Launched By TESP

A series of recommended training routes have been developed by The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) to provide clear direction on the right paths to becoming a qualified electrician. Skills, qualifications and competence are firmly at the top of the agenda following the Hackitt Review recommendations, ongoing reforms to building regulations and the sharp focus on the skills needed by the construction and built environment sector as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. With over 150,000 UK redundancies made to date by businesses affected by COVID-19, TESP hopes these routes will help individuals make informed decisions about how to spend their time and money to re-train, as there are many electrical qualifications on offer - but not all provide the skills needed by employers. Hosted on the Electrical Careers website, the routes are also designed to educate school leavers and those looking to upskill within the industry. The advice given to all is that an apprenticeship is the preferred route into the industry, as it provides the essential work-based experience needed to develop knowledge, skills and competence over a period of time. Traditionally seen as only suitable for young people, in England employers can now access funding for apprentices of any age. Between August 2020 and January 2021, businesses can also receive an incentive payment of up to £3,000 per apprentice, in a move intended to drive apprenticeship recruitment. Recognising that not everyone will be able to secure an apprenticeship place, alternative routes are given for those eligible for Further Education funding and also those looking to fund their own skills development, such as career changers or re-trainers. Importantly, the routes clearly stress that becoming a fully qualified electrician can only be achieved with valid on-site work experience, as opposed to courses that offer no ‘real world’ practical skills. With these routes now providing clear guidance on recommended electrical training and qualifications, TESP suggests this approach could be replicated in other industries to help everyone considering construction and built environment careers. “These routes aim to reduce the confusion around electrical training and promote what is valued by employers and will ultimately lead to qualified status,” says Ruth Devine, Chair of TESP and Managing Director of SJD Electrical. “I, and many others, have countless experiences with people that have invested in training, only to struggle finding worthwhile employment as an electrician because their qualifications aren’t recognised. We need to send a clear message to individuals and careers advisers on the right ways to join the industry, progress and embed the skills and judgement that comes with work-based learning and experience. “We welcome the steps taken by some providers to improve the clarity of their communication and encourage others to review their offering and make use of the TESP material to support employers to recruit more effectively at the level they need.” TESP is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company formed by the ECA, JIB, NET, SELECT and Unite the Union to support electrotechnical employers and deliver a wide range of projects to support the industry’s skills needs. Since its formation, TESP has developed the Electrical Careers website and associated videos, published industry Labour Market Intelligence, launched the Experienced Worker Assessment to help workers upskill and developed the ‘Industry into Education’ campaign to encourage the industry to work more closely with the education network. Recommended training routes are available for England at present, with other nations of the UK to follow soon. Visit www.electricalcareers.co.uk/routes to find out more.

Lighting Industry Mourns The Loss Of Peter Denny

The lighting industry lost a true character and stalwart last week with the sad passing of Peter Denny.  Peter worked in the lighting industry for 43 years. Starting his lighting career with Crompton Lighting in 1977 as a sales representative, he quickly moved into specification before joining Thorn where he rose through the ranks to manage key areas for the business.  After a brief spell as Sales Director at Marlin he spent eight years as Sales and Marketing Director at Cooper Lighting before rejoining Thorn (ZG) again where he served in total nearly 27 years. He joined NVC in 2018 where he was the UK Sales Director.  During his time in the industry, Peter served as President of the Lighting Industry Federation (LIF) (2007-2009) and was an active member of the LIF and subsequently LIA Councils where he gave his time freely for the benefit of the industry as a whole. Peter also held the Chairmanship of the industry WEEE Compliance Provider, Lumicom where again he gave his time voluntarily to further the aims of recycling in the lighting industry.  Peter was one of the architects of the integration of LIF and the Lighting Association to create the LIA, recognising the importance in one strong voice for the industry. He was always encouraging of new initiatives to improve the range of services for members and potential members and was very conscious of the importance of the industry having strong representation towards all relevant organisations such as Government and other industry bodies.  Peter worked with many of the leaders of our industry over his career and as a reflection of the high esteem in which he was held, the LIA has received a steady flow of expressions of sadness and condolences to his family. Peter was a focused business strategist with the ability to make long lasting friendships throughout the industry and his good humoured approach to work has left a lasting impression on those who knew him. Peter Denny was a true gentleman of the lighting industry. LIA President, Terry Dean says, “Peter was always positive and encouraging to work and industry colleagues alike - a real glass half full man. In the 25 years that I knew him, I always admired the way in which he could tackle situations with empathy and a smile - extremely knowledgeable about our industry, he will be missed by all of us who have, and continued to work with him in different capacities.” LIA CEO, Steve Davies adds, “Always supportive with a genuine and professional approach to all he turned his hand to. During my time at the LIA, Peter has been a friend and colleague who will be greatly missed and all our thoughts at the LIA are with Peter’s family at this sad time”.  

Scolmore Launches Podcast Series For Electricians

Scolmore has made some of its SGTV content available through a brand new series of weekly podcasts, enabling electricians to tune in at a time that suits them.  It’s now over a year since Scolmore Group launched its dedicated YouTube channel SGTV, and the mix of interviews, news and tutorials that are hosted has generated regular engagement and great reviews from electricians. Scolmore understands the time pressures that electricians face, now more than ever as they get back to working after the rigours of lockdown.   The release of material via the SGTV weekly podcast is giving electricians more choice about the way they consume the content they are interested in. The podcasts can be accessed across all streaming devices by searching SGTV.   Regular engagement with contractors is how Scolmore gains valuable insight into how electricians like to work and what products and solutions they need to help them do their work in the most time- and cost-efficient way.    With the coronavirus pandemic leading to the cancellation or postponement of live events and the restriction of the working patterns of many in the industry, more and more electricians have been relying on SGTV as a valuable platform. It has offered them a wealth of information via interviews, tutorials, challenges, unboxings and product overviews, as well as highlighting key industry news, events and dates for the calendar.   We have been very lucky to have some well-known electricians sharing their views and experiences, with David Savery, Nick Bundy and Karen Boom all featuring prominently. Plus some of the industry’s leading talents - Billy Byrne, Tony Cable, Tim Shaw and Thomas Nagy - are also making regular appearances.    During lockdown SGTV featured a number of electricians talking about their experiences and how they have managed to keep going through the pandemic.  In the launch episode Scolmore talked to Alex from Coleg Cambria and Neil McManus from Leicester College about their experiences working in the electrical educational system and how apprenticeships can help in the career journey.  Episode 2 had Paul Chaffers and Richard Townsend from NAPIT and Ryan Dempsey from E5 talking about the new legislation of EICR within the private rented sector.   

P4 Emergency Lighting System Achieves IoT Enhanced Level BSI Kitemark

P4 has been breaking new ground by becoming the first to be awarded an enhanced level BSI kitemark for lighting. Certification to the BSI Mark of Trust Kitemark for IoT Devices was achieved in March this year for their Fastel systems M-Web Controller Ecosystem following rigorous testing by BSI’s highly skilled team at its state-of-the-art IoT laboratory. The kitemark for IoT (Internet of Things) devices is designed to address the potential for cyber threats to all internet-enabled products. In the modern world, any connected device has the potential to be exploited by hackers as a way to access personal data and to disrupt or divert services. Reducing this operational risk is a key concern for any business, but particularly public sector bodies such as NHS hospital trusts and universities. Alan Daniels, Technical Director at P4 explains why this certification is so significant for their customers: “We work with many institutions responsible for large amounts of personal data and critical services. By choosing our emergency lighting system, customers can be sure that they’re getting a system which is not only reliable in terms of guiding people to safety in an emergency, but is also secure in terms of reducing their vulnerability to attack and keeping their data safe.” P4 has made a commitment to ensure their systems provide the most secure emergency lighting on the market. Kitemark certification involves ongoing regular testing of the systems to ensure they continue to meet the requirements.  “For us, the kitemark is really important because it offers certainty to customers from a respected third party that our system is secure and their data will be safe – they don’t just have to take our word for it!” says Daniels. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the team at P4 has been unable to receive their award in person. Instead, an online presentation took place on Thursday 23 July as the team from BSI officially awarded the certification. This is the second kitemark that P4 have been awarded, after achieving their first kitemark in November 2019 for self-testing emergency lighting systems.

Red Arrow Lights Up The Retail Industry

When Red Arrow was tasked with creating a comfortable shopping experience for both Trespass and The Company Group, lighting designer Paul Yarnell and the team worked tirelessly to deliver effective and energy efficient commercial installations. The project brief was to design and supply Canterbury and Chesterfield Trespass stores with commercial lighting. With 200 branches across the UK, Trespass has been in business for over 70 years, and Red Arrow has worked by their side with several new shop openings. Their most challenging installations include their Chesterfield and Canterbury branches, both requesting different designs and products. Red Arrow was required to create an on-brand look that was comfortable for consumers, while also providing accent lighting designed to highlight the merchandise. But when presented with different building structures and designs, the team had to work with various luminaires to suit the separate requirements for each branch. At Chesterfield, the brief was to provide an energy-saving fitting that was both high performance with a high lumen output, while also remaining aesthetically pleasing for a commercial setting. This was achieved with Red Arrow’s LED Linear Hi-Lo Bays, which offer a daylight and motion sensor accessory that adapts to the changing available ambient light – ideal for retail stores open from morning until night. Equipped with an opaque diffuser to reduce glare, these luminaires were perfect for this project. The Canterbury branch’s brief, on the other hand, was slightly different. "The team at Canterbury wanted to update their lighting design and create a high light output with minimal glare for their shoppers. But the structure of the ceiling caused limitations on where we were able to recess the fittings," says Paul. "Working with Commercial Lighting Systems, we supplied surface-mounted Bastion 600 x 600 panels, which produced a good level of uniformity. And the circular wall washer shop lights  could be aimed to create feature lighting on each side of the store. Collectively, these products achieved approximately 600-700 lux." With a surface mount conversion kit, Red Arrow’s Bastion LED panels can be easily used as either fully recessed ceiling fittings, or as surface mounting lights. By using the same fitting for each use, the resultant light appearance remains the same, making them ideal for multi-purpose applications. Both branches were pleased with Red Arrow’s design and installation, creating a shopping experience that is both comfortable, but also fit for purpose.

WernerCo Steps Up With Working At Height Training

Following the recent Health & Safety Executive (HSE) ‘Workplace Fatal Injuries in Great Britain 2020' Annual Statistics, which reported a reduction in the number of fatalities, WernerCo is urging people to carry out its Ladder Association accredited training to ensure the safety of professionals working on-site. The report from HSE revealed that whilst there has been a 24% reduction in the number of fatal accidents in 2019/20, the construction sector still accounts for the significant proportion of these. Additionally, fall from height still remains the main cause of fatal accidents, despite a 27% reduction in those reported. The UK’s leading manufacturer of ladders is urging ladder users to take caution when working at height, and ensure they have the relevant training required to work safely and correctly. Steve Lock, Director of Product Engineering at WernerCo, comments, “Whilst the latest HSE report highlights that positive steps are being taken and fatal accidents are reducing, there’s still a long way to go to ensure the safety of tradesmen. In order to overcome this, it’s crucial that people know what they are doing when using and inspecting access equipment, as this knowledge could make all the difference to safety on site. “The Work at Height Regulations specify that competence is a requirement for working at height. So, simply put, if someone is not competent, they should not be using a ladder at work. Therefore, it is vital that anyone working regularly with ladders receives sufficient training in order to maximise the safety of themselves and those around them.” The Ladder Association offers comprehensive training sessions for both ladder users and inspectors, and as a response to Covid-19 has recently launched its new online training platform.  Covering both the Ladders & Step Ladders for Users and the Ladders & Step Ladders Inspection courses, the online training sessions ensure that tradesmen can continue to gain the relevant understanding of working at height whilst face-to-face training is temporarily suspended.  The online course covers the theory element of the traditional training sessions through a series of videos, after which delegates must attend a half-day session once training centres re-open in order to complete the written assessment and practical element. Alternatively, WernerCo’s Ladder Association approved training sessions have now resumed having been adapted to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Suitable for users and inspectors, both courses comprise practical and theory assessments, covering when and how to use, handle and store a ladder, as well as how to highlight potential hazards. For equipment inspectors, delegates can learn how to assess and determine when it is appropriate to inspect a ladder or stepladder, and how to recommend the correct action if faults are found. Those who complete either form of training will be issued with a Ladder Association certificate and a LadderCard, which remains valid for five years, allowing them to prove their competence and gain trust among their trade peers and potential employers.

Northern Powergrid Awards Freedom Contract Extension

Freedom, an NG Bailey Group company, has secured a two-year extension on an essential Northern Powergrid framework to deliver cable engineering services across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. The project, which is worth £16m, comes as a result of Freedom’s successful delivery on the contract over the last four years and includes scope for a further two-year extension. As part of the contract Freedom will carry out regular essential works, such as, underground cable installation, overhead lines services, fault repairs and street works to support Northern Powergrid as it powers everyday life for more than 8 million customers across its operating area. The contract also involves supporting Northern Powergrid’s work to move overhead services underground in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so customers benefit from improvements that modernise the region’s power network, increase reliability of electricity supplies and enhance the appearance of protected landscapes. Around 50 Freedom colleagues are involved in the delivery of the contract, including graduates and apprentices, providing vital training opportunities and helping to ensure there is a strong pipeline of future talent in the sector.  Peter Jones, Managing Director of NG Bailey’s Services division, says, “The extension of Freedom’s contract with Northern Powergrid demonstrates the strength of our working relationship and the expertise of our team delivering on the ground. “Our work helps ensure that the network across Yorkshire and the North East and northern Lincolnshire remains safe and effective, so we look forward to continuing our work with Northern Powergrid.” Andy Bilclough, Northern Powergrid’s Director of Field Operations, adds, “We invest around £1 million a day on managing, maintaining and improving our network for our customers. With 60,000 miles of underground cables and overhead power lines it is vital that our teams work with contractors that understand the responsibility we have to power peoples’ lives and are committed to delivering services to the high standards our customers expect and deserve. Through our robust procurement process and this contract extension, we can continue to ensure we have the support services we need to deliver for our customers now and in the future.”

EDA Welcomes New Jobs Portal For Construction Sector

The EDA’s CEO, Margaret Fitzsimons, along with 140 stakeholders from across the UK’s construction sector, recently attended the launch of the Talent Retention Scheme (TRS), a new free-to-use online portal designed to stop an exodus of employees with valuable skills and expertise and to help companies recruit the talent needed to embark on new projects.  The Scheme is a pragmatic response to support a sector already reeling from the impact of the pandemic: UK construction faces a 25% decline in activity this year putting over 500,000 jobs at risk. Employers looking for skilled employees can advertise vacancies and job seekers (including apprentices) can upload their CVs and keep abreast of opportunities. Led by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the Talent Retention Scheme is backed by a £1 million investment from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and is expected to save employers £100 million in recruitment fees over the next 12 months. In the run up to the launch over 430 companies had pre-registered 170 job vacancies at www.trs-system.co.uk/construction. The webinar launch was hosted by Andy Gardner, Co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), who introduced his Co-chair the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP. The Secretary of State reiterated the Government’s commitment to ‘Build Build Build’ supporting Britain’s hugely important construction sector - often seen as a bell-weather for the economy - with £640 billion of investment over the next five years. The concept of an industry sector portal is not new. The first successful initiative came from a local Rolls Royce scheme that was so successful that it was rolled out nationally and is now in use in the aerospace and defence sectors. Scheme early adopters included Kyla Farmer, HR Director at engineering and construction specialists, Keltbray Group, who will use the portal in four ways:   to post vacancies and recruit talented individuals; to support individuals facing redundancy through signposting to the portal; to raise awareness of Keltbray Group; to encourage collaboration on projects as the requirements for specialist resources ebb and flows. Jennie Daly, Group Operations Director at Taylor Wimpey, praised the speed of response in getting the portal up and running, and described its collaborative and long-term benefits as “very valuable”. At launch Taylor Wimpey had over 20 vacancies listed on the portal. The EDA welcomes this initiative and President, CEF’s Chris Ashworth, urged businesses to register their interest: “Access to a recruitment tool of this nature is a great opportunity for all companies operating in the electro-technical supply chain and we applaud the work of the CLC in getting such a resource to market at such speed. I’d encourage EDA Members and Affiliates to use the portal to secure skilled and talented individuals for their business, and as part of their HR initiatives.” The portal is also open to apprentices - and John Henry, MD at EDA apprenticeship Plus comments, “Through no fault of their own, or their employers, young people may find their employment ended. For those in training this is doubly difficult as it ends their training as well as their employment. This portal will add invaluable benefit to these individuals. “If a new role is found efficiently, they will be able suspend their apprenticeship whilst they and a potential new employer engage. Provided this represents a similar role their training and qualifications will not suffer, and this continuation will benefit both parties immensely. Apprenticeships are as flexible as the job roles they support, and I see this portal helping to match both the job and the training very seamlessly.”  

Hager Launches HagerGang Rewards

Branded workwear, essential tools of the trade and great lifestyle rewards are now available to electrical contractors who sign up for Hager’s new rewards programme – HagerGang rewards. Rewarding electricians who buy Hager products for their projects, the programme has already seen branded coffee mugs, golf balls and the famous blue Hager screwdrivers redeemed by the first 450 electrical contractors who registered for HagerGang rewards. So, how does HagerGang rewards work? Following a challenging few months for the industry, HagerGang rewards is a new rewards programme designed especially for electrical professionals across the UK. Electrical contractors can register for the programme by visiting www.hagergangrewards.com. Once registered, a rewards point account is opened, and electricians simply scan purchase receipts or invoices for every Hager product they buy. Every £1 spent on Hager products earns one HagerGang reward point. These points can be redeemed against an extensive range of rewards available to view in an exclusive HagerGang rewards catalogue. Why has Hager created this rewards programme? Hager is committed to supporting the industry through a challenging period and wants to recognise and reward those professionals who choose Hager’s industry-leading range of product solutions. What sort of rewards are on offer? The programme offers a wide range of rewards. They include Hager branded clothing items such as baseball caps and essential trade tools including quality Hager branded screwdrivers, pliers, and multi-tools. For life away from the job, rewards such as golf balls, coffee mugs, footballs and Hager branded umbrellas are also available to redeem with reward points. Is there a limit to the amount of HagerGang rewards points I can accrue? While there’s no limit when it comes to your HagerGang rewards points balance, there is a maximum limit of 500 points per invoice. Simply keep purchasing Hager products and watch your rewards points total grow before your eyes. What do contractors have to say? One of the first contractors to sign up was Jack Sardar-Wilkins, from Infinity Electrical. He says, “As an electrical contractor, support from manufacturers is really important, especially following such a challenging time lately. HagerGang rewards is a great idea and makes me feel valued as a customer. I’ve been having a little browse at the webpage and have been very impressed by the lovely, clean and simple interface. It’s also very quick to upload invoices and receipts, which is important when you’re busy. In addition, to get rewarded with little goodies is fantastic - the only difficult part is deciding what my first reward will be!” Getting started is easy Simply visit hagergangrewards.com and register for the programme. You will also be given access to the Hager Gang rewards catalogue containing details of the range of rewards on offer. Then scan your invoice that includes Hager product purchases. Finally, enjoy claiming your points by redeeming rewards from the exclusive Hager Gang rewards catalogue. Details of how to sign up for great Hager Gang rewards can be found by visiting www.hagergangrewards.com.

Stay Cool And Smart This Summer

Lightweight shirts, shorts and trousers make working on site a breeze this summer. Everyone needs to be cool, dry and safe at work this summer - to maintain wellbeing and working efficiency on site. That’s why Snickers’ new topwear will make work this summer a real breeze! There’s also brand new LITEWork trousers and shorts, plus special offer ‘two-pack’ 100% cotton t-shirts. Choose from three different easy-care colour and design options to complement whatever you’re wearing - at work or play. There’s also new hoodies, sweatshirts and hi-vis ProtecWork protective wear in a range of styles and colours that are super-light and quick drying with advanced ventilation to keep you cool when it’s warm. They’ve all got superb, body-mapping designs for an amazing fit, outstanding functionality and long-lasting comfort – all day, every day. Getting information on the Snickers’ Summer Workwear range is easy. You can call the Hultafors Group helpline on 01484 854788, you can check out the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk, or you can email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk.