The President of SELECT has praised the “spirit of collaboration and co-operation” shown by the campaigning trade association and its members during the pandemic.
Donald W Orr said Scotland’s largest construction trade body had “played a vital role” as it helped contractors, the public and the wider construction industry overcome the dual impact of COVID-19 and Brexit.
His comments were echoed by Managing Director Alan Wilson, who says SELECT “is at the forefront of bringing about real and positive change” through its campaigning work on many issues.
The comments came in SELECT’s official Annual Review of 2020/21, which was released ahead of the association’s AGM this week.
The report highlighted the ongoing success of its long-running campaign for regulation of the industry – and also revealed that membership of SELECT had increased during the pandemic as professionals recognised the benefit of belonging to a successful trade association.
Mr Orr – who was re-elected President at the meeting on Wednesday June 2 – says: “When it comes to working together, the last year has shown the great advantages that collaboration and cooperation can bring.
“As well as our regular contact with colleagues at ECA and other trade bodies, I’ve been heartened that we have joined the new cross-industry alliance Actuate UK and hit the ground running on skills, building safety, carbon reduction and commercial issues.
“Another great example of working together is the wealth of work we have done via the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum. I’ve been hugely impressed by the huge amount of advice and information produced and how SELECT has helped it become a principal information hub for all COVID-related issues.
“Finally, I’m extremely pleased to see SELECT playing such a vital role in the work of EuropeOn, the organisation that represents electrical trade bodies across Europe.
“None of us could have known the uncertainty and upheaval that COVID-19 would bring, but I’m proud of how our association stepped up and adapted to every challenge. By continuing to work together, we can all help the construction industry recover, rebuild and face an uncertain future together.
Mr Wilson echoed the President’s words, adding that electricians will be indispensable in the battle to meet the Scottish Government’s renewables targets, providing the skills and expertise necessary to help the country achieve its net-zero carbon targets.
He says: “SELECT will continue to pursue the aims of our recent election manifesto, pressing the new government for regulation of the industry, improved procurement, fairer payment conditions and support for training to meet the growing green agenda.
“SELECT is at the forefront of bringing about real and positive change for our industry and safeguarding the future of the people who work in it. We will continue to make it our mission to achieve the objectives in our manifesto and encourage others in government and across the sector to do the same.”
Among the milestones in the Annual Review, SELECT revealed that since its previous AGM in September 2020, along with sister organisation the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) it had:
- Answered 6,405 telephone enquiries
- Delivered 133 online training courses to 945 delegates
- Issued 3,708 ECS Grade Cards
- Registered 500 apprentices and adult trainees
- Attracted 33,074 website visitors
- Seen subscribers to the SELECTcerts digital certification service rise by 40%
- Shared 74 updates via its dedicated COVID-19 hub
- Produced 20 employment guidance documents
- Processed 3,334 grading applications
- Created 3,410 ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessments
- Grown its social media audience by 45% on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.