JTL Supports Its Apprentices Through Carillion Collapse

JTL, specialist provider of apprenticeships for young people in the electrical and heating and plumbing sectors has spent the last few weeks since the announcement of Carillion’s collapse helping apprentices working for the company that have been working towards qualifications through JTL. JTL currently has more than 6,000 apprentices across England and Wales. It currently works with more than 3,000 employers, and it is with a number of these that JTL is talking, trying to find vacancies for the Carillion apprentices that are currently not guaranteed a placement after the end of January. Commercial director, Liam Sammon, says the company currently has 26 learners on an apprenticeship programme with Carillion, “The good news is that just under half our Carillion apprentices have now secured new or ongoing employment that has preserved their apprenticeships. Our training officers are using their contacts with other employers to do everything they can to secure employment for the others. “These are difficult times for a whole raft of ex-Carillion employees at all levels, but we are understandably concerned first and foremost for those young people that we have been working with, in some cases for more than three years. JTL, as a charity, are able to provide a financial incentive for employers through an ‘Adoption Grant’ where we can award up to £1,500 in respect of any JTL apprentice who is made redundant and taken on by a new employer. We are particularly keen to hear from employers in the Mechanical Engineering Services and Heating and Ventilation sectors and if you want to contact us or talk about anything else, please phone our customer services team on 0800 085 2308 who will be able to give you more information and advice.”

Schneider Electric Partners With Sustainable Energy For All

Schneider Electric has entered into a partnership with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), a global non-profit organisation. The aim of the partnership is to accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 on energy. The four-year partnership was signed on January 23, 2018 at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, by Rachel Kyte, CEO and special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman and CEO at Schneider Electric. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 The United Nations sustainable development agenda sets 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve by 2030 in order to eliminate poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for everyone everywhere. SDG 7 aims to ‘ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all’ as the prerequisite for child education, quality of life, economic development and effective healthcare systems. While one billion inhabitants will continue to rely on dangerous or 'dirty' forms of energy by 2030 under current scenarios, SDG 7 aims at closing this gap to reach universal access. SDG 7 also aims to significantly improve energy efficiency and ensure widespread use of renewable energy in the global energy mix. Committed partnership The non-profit organisation is working with leaders in the government, the private sector and civil society to achieve SDG 7. Through this partnership, Schneider Electric is joining forces with companies such as Enel, Iberdrola and Philips Lighting, as well as organisations including the United Nations Foundation and the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA). As a partner, Schneider Electric has committed to helping develop and effectively implement four programmes: Building Efficiency Accelerator, Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator, People-Centred Accelerator and the upcoming Electrification Accelerator, ensuring that the right resources are available. Schneider Electric has assigned employees to direct each of the four programmes. To support this work, the group will have access to SEforALL resources, such as its heat maps – a tool to help focus resources for maximum impact across energy access, energy efficiency and renewables. The maps show global progress on sustainable energy based on information from a variety of sources, including more than 80 indicators (the type of energy used, the quality of electricity grids, energy providers, etc.)

Carillion Sub-contractors Facing Huge Losses, Say ECA And BESA

A poll of Carillion engineering sub-contractors shows that many companies are facing huge financial losses from the collapse of the construction giant. That’s according to new data obtained by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the electrotechnical and engineering services trade body ECA. Carillion owes around £75 million to around 80 engineering services firms, who provide vital services such as electrical, plumbing, gas, fire and security, and heating and ventilation. The overall losses are likely to be far higher, given there are thousands of businesses operating in the industry. The engineering services sector is the largest part of the construction industry by value. The ECA and BESA survey shows that contractors of all sizes have been affected by Carillion’s demise: The total value of ongoing contracts with Carillion is worth £47.2 million, which are now at risk. Micro businesses (less than 10 employees) are owed on average £98,000. One of these SMEs is owed over £250,000. Small firms (10-49 employees) are owed £141,000 on average. One of these contractors is owed £800,000 by Carillion. Medium-sized businesses (50 – 249 employees) are owed on average £236,000. One of these firms is owed almost £1.4 million. Large businesses (250 employees +) are owed on average £15.6 million. This figure includes Balfour Beatty’s widely reported £45 million loss from joint ventures with Carillion. BESA and ECA have previously met with liquidator PwC and the government. PwC said any private sector work undertaken by Carillion suppliers before 15 January this year would be unpaid. Instead, it would be treated as ‘unsecured debt’, and placed at the back of the queue behind other creditors. “We knew the fall-out from this seismic episode would be extremely serious, but these figures give us a clearer picture of just how hard our sector is going to hit in terms of the thousands of pounds of unsecured debt that will be lost by ordinary hard working small businesses, jeopardising their future and the future of their staff,” said BESA president Tim Hopkinson. “These findings underline the need for concerted action from the government and banks to protect and support SMEs in the construction and services sector. The government should also introduce legal measures to ensure SMEs are not continually exposed to upstream insolvency,” added ECA director of business Paul Reeve.  

Engineering Specialists Press PwC And Government On Carillion Collapse

Trade bodies ECA and BESA have pressed Carillion liquidators PwC to provide greater certainty to private sector contractors over the outstanding cash owed by the fallen construction giant. PwC’s David Kelly confirmed they and Carillion will provide suppliers with ‘commitment letters’ that guarantee payment for work undertaken and materials supplied during the liquidation process. However, David advised that work completed before Monday 15 January 2018 will be treated as ‘unsecured debt’, and at the back of the queue for payment. The liquidator also stated that work had been ‘paused’ on many construction sites until the situation could be evaluated, and he was unable to provide a timeframe for if and when work would restart. ECA director of business Paul Reeve commented, “We have already heard from of hundreds specialist contractors, across construction and services, who are taking a major hit, and some may not survive. Everybody involved needs to work to prevent a repetition of this situation, and part of that is a legal requirement to pay suppliers promptly.” “We are encouraged that HM Revenue and the banks will take a sympathetic, long term approach with specific provision for those hit in the wake of the Carillion crisis,” added BESA director of legal and commercial Rob Driscoll. “We are however very concerned that the negative impact on thousands of unsecured SME supply contractor creditors will be unsustainable, creating tension with the Government’s industrial strategy.” The discussions took place during a meeting on Wednesday 17 January, that was also attended by Business Secretary Greg Clark MP and Small Business Minister Andrew Griffiths MP, along with a range of other trade bodies including SEC Group, BCSA, Build UK, FMB, CECA and the CPA. Business Secretary Greg Clark confirmed that the banks had committed to provide those affected by the fallout with support and special arrangements. The Business Secretary also noted that HMRC will be taking a ‘flexible’ approach to tax bills, and will provide information on this in due course. On Monday January 15, ECA and BESA also met with government ministers and officials, including Greg Clark MP, to discuss the immediate aftermath of Carillion’s collapse. During the talks, the two trade bodies called on the government to provide maximum support to businesses affected, and to learn lessons from the crisis and undertake full scale reform of supply chain and procurement practices. The Business Secretary said that the ‘construction sector deal’ would be an appropriate vehicle to bring about structural change in the industry.

Aldous Launches Retentions Bill

Proposed parliamentary legislation designed to dramatically reform the controversial practice of payment retentions in the construction industry was formally unveiled at a House of Commons briefing on Monday, 8 January. The Bill, which is being introduced under the ‘Ten Minute Rule’ by Peter Aldous MP, has attracted cross-party support with the full permitted complement of 12 ‘sponsoring’ MPs including Sir Henry Bellingham (Conservative); Barry Sheerman (Labour); Caroline Lucas (Green Party); and Alan Brown (SNP). The ‘Aldous Bill’ seeks to amend the 1996 Construction Act to ensure retention money is held in a deposit protection scheme – thus ending the issue of upstream insolvency and the working capital it takes from the industry and SMEs. The average UK contractor has £27,500 withheld per year in retentions, which limits their ability to invest in apprentices, upskill existing employees, and improve productivity and quality. Mr Aldous, along with a number of other sponsoring MPs, briefed the national and trade media about the contents of the Bill and explained the background, including the fact that more than £10.5bn of SMEs' potential working capital is locked up in retentions every year and £7.8bn was unpaid in the last three years. The Bill does not seek to abolish retentions, but to address the fact that this money is not protected from upstream insolvencies, which led to £700m being entirely lost to SMEs in the same three-year period. This amounts to £20m a month, £4.5m a week or £640,000 per day. Mr Aldous developed his Bill in conjunction with the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Electrotechnical and Engineering Services trade body ECA. It is also supported by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group and more than 20 other trade bodies. “This Bill provides a solution that will help all parties involved in construction by stabilising and securing cash-flow – including main contractors and clients,” said BESA’s legal and commercial director Rob Driscoll. “The fact that it has attracted support from right across the House proves that politicians recognise that SMEs are the lifeblood of construction and FM. They represent a £212bn economic contribution and their delivery enables a further £597bn worth of economic output. “This is not an isolated issue. It goes right to the heart of the government’s attempts to improve industrial productivity throughout the UK economy. Securing this cash would unlock the supply chain, enable growth, training and technological evolution, allowing the construction sector to step up its efforts to deliver vital infrastructure and housing projects,” added Mr Driscoll. “The growing contrast between the push for a modern, digital and productive construction industry, and the everyday reality for exposed supply chains is staggering,” said ECA director of business, Paul Reeve. “We must change the retentions system as soon as possible, to protect supply chains. “Small businesses can only be the engine room for construction growth and innovation if they can invest with confidence. That means retention monies should be put in trust at the earliest opportunity, and ECA urges the industry to support the Bill being put forward to achieve this,” added Mr. Reeve. BESA calculated that the amount withheld in retentions would enable the recruitment of around 3,000 new apprentices in the building engineering sector alone if it was released to the supply chain. When asked what they would do with retention money if it wasn’t withheld or lost, 48% of contractors told a recent survey carried out on behalf of the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) that they would invest in new equipment and facilities. 40% said they would look to take on more work, 29% would employ more apprentices and 22% would allocate the money to taking on their first apprentice.  

BEAMA Promotes Better Ventilation In Homes

BEAMA is launching a new video as part of its ongoing ‘My Health My Home’ campaign, aimed at driving public awareness of the risks of poor indoor air quality and a lack of ventilation, in response to rising symptoms of poor air in UK homes. A recent poll of UK homeowners, commissioned by BEAMA, has shown that 65% had experienced the signs of poor indoor air quality in their home, while 80% of respondents thought that indoor air quality was either as important to their health or more important than outdoor air. 65% would be willing to pay a small premium for a house with effective ventilation that maintained good indoor air quality and 73% thought that poor indoor air quality should be a health priority for government. The video has been produced to inform homeowners of the benefits of ventilation in helping to achieve good indoor air quality, as well as warning of the health risks associated with poor indoor air quality – including asthma and allergy. Long-term exposure is linked to heart disease and respiratory problems including lung cancer. BEAMA has long campaigned for improved indoor air quality through its ‘My Health My Home’ campaign, aimed at raising public awareness of poor indoor air and improving education on how to combat it through the use of properly installed, effective and well-maintained ventilation. “Poor indoor air quality is an issue that could have serious health consequences if we do not act together – as homeowners, industry and Government," said Colin Timmins of BEAMA. "While we are working with industry and Government to deliver better ventilation systems in UK homes, householders also need to be aware of the impact they are having on their own indoor air, what this could mean for them and the steps they can take to improve it.” The video can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JiQTaC3lvo.

TheisCraft Offers Lighting Inspiration

A new website, TheisCraft, has been unveiled to provide inspiration for anyone involved in lighting management projects. TheisCraft manufactures and supplies intelligent lighting control systems, luminaires, modular wiring, emergency lighting and system maintenance allowing for the complete package to be controlled from one source. The company provides lighting control solutions for large commercial buildings, from schools, hotels and restaurants to colleges and residential properties. TheisCraft’s bespoke lighting control solutions are aimed at offering an outstanding and efficient end result. The website is designed to offer insight into the diversity of products that enables TheisCraft to be able to offer a complete service that now includes the light fittings. TheisCraft products have also been designed to control lighting, blinds, air conditioning and link to AV systems.  

NICEIC And ELECSA Unveil 18th Edition Hub

With less than one year until the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations is published, NICEIC and ELECSA have set up an information hub with everything an electrician will need to know. The website www.18edition.com contains all the latest news and information relating to the new standard. Mark Smith, marketing and communications director at NICEIC and ELECSA, commented, “The introduction of a new standard is obviously a very important time for all electricians. Everyone in the industry will need to be aware of the changes and the implications it has on the work they carry out. “NICEIC and ELECSA will be at the forefront of providing electrical contractors with everything they need to know – from updates on the latest developments, opportunities to purchase the new book and training packages to suit all contractors’ needs.” The new standard is expected to be available on or around July 1, 2018 with electricians given a six month transition period to get up to speed with the changes. From January 1, 2019, it will then be a requirement that all electrical installations designed after this date comply with BS 7671:2018, 18th Edition (2018). An ability to show a level of understanding and awareness of the changes should be a priority for everyone involved in the electotechnical industry.

Complimentary Toolkits Presented To Electrical Learners

Liam Sammon, commercial director of JTL and Malcolm Duncan, managing director of Super Rod UK have presented a number of apprentices – all currently studying for electrical apprenticeships with JTL – with a free toolkit worth around £250 each. Each JTL apprentice in their first year of study can claim a complimentary toolkit simply by registering their interest online. The toolkits are provided jointly by JTL, along with partners Super Rod (Klein Tools) and Monument Tools. They typically include a full set of basic tools, including everything the apprentice will need during their training. “Our toolkits are really popular with apprentices, who would otherwise use hand-me-down tools from their employers or sometimes end up buying their own tools with their hard earned income,” says Liam Sammon. “It gets them off to a great start in the workplace – helping to ensure they are well equipped and safe – and encourages each student to respect and care for their own equipment. Plus, some of the tools become firm favourites and stay with their owners for many years to come. “We’re so grateful to our partners for their continued assistance and generosity in helping us with this venture. Our students tell us it makes a real difference both practically and to their mind-set, so we know it’s widely appreciated across all our apprenticeship courses. “It also sets us apart from other training organisations, summing up the level of support JTL offers to both young people and their employers at this and every stage of the apprenticeship process. It’s all part of our broader, all-encompassing duty-of-care package.” Malcolm Duncan from Super Rod added, “JTL delivers a highly professional training programme for its apprentices and we’re only too pleased to help get these young electricians off to the best possible start with a high quality set of tools. We see it as a genuine investment in the technicians and engineers of the future and we wish them all the very best of luck.” The team at JTL have worked alongside Super Rod since 2015 and with Monument Tools since 2013 to provide toolkits to new starters. JTL is now one of the largest work-based learning providers in England and Wales, working with over 3,000 businesses and training more apprentices than anyone else in the building services engineering sector.

UK Online Sales Of Electrical Products Worth £1.3bn, Says Report

In 2017, the market for online distribution of electrical products was estimated to be worth £1.3 billion, having grown by almost 300% on 2012, according to a new report recently published by AMA Research. This can be compared to growth of 20% within the overall electrical products market over the same period. Online sales are now estimated to account for around 8% of the overall electrical products distribution market, says the report. This significant growth can be attributed to the fact that leading wholesalers, as well as both trade and DIY distributors, have expanded their internet presence in recent years, launching transactional websites and starting to move towards ‘omni-channel’ services. The increasing use of click and collect has also made a significant difference to the way contractors purchase, allowing them to combine the convenience of on-site ordering with convenient collection options. The report states that the largest distribution channels with regards to sales of electrical products are direct from manufacturers and via electrical wholesalers, while merchants and other trade distributors, such as HVAC specialists, are also significant in this market. In terms of online sales, the most significant distributors of online sales are ‘internet only’ distributors, with around 42% of the market. In general, the distribution market for electrical products is starting to move towards ‘omni-channel’ distribution, whereby customers can access information, goods and services via multiple platforms and channels within one transaction, with a focus on the overall customer experience. The full report – The Electrical Products Distribution Market Report, Online Focus, UK 2017-2021 Analysis – is published by AMA Research, and is available online.