New safety measures are needed to protect Scottish homeowners from electrocution and electrical fires, lawyers have warned.
“Currently anyone can set up as an electrician in Scotland,” said Gordon Dalyell a Scottish spokesman for APIL, an organisation which is dedicated to the rights of needlessly injured people.
“There is no requirement to have any skills, qualifications, or expertise in electrical work before setting up a business as an electrician in Scotland. Homeowners must be protected from substandard electrical work, which could lead to injuries or even deaths from electric shocks or electrical fires.”
In response to a Scottish government consultation, APIL has called for a system similar to the widely recognised Gas Safety Register to be implemented to ensure all electricians are qualified for the work they carry out.
“A mandatory safety register for electricians would give people the confidence of knowing their electrician is fully qualified to carry out the work,” said Mr Dalyell.
“Electricians would be unable to join the register without proper qualifications and training. No one would make the decision to use an unqualified gas company. Electricity safety should be taken just as seriously.”
Until proper regulation and specific qualification requirements are in place, Scots looking for a safe, qualified expert to carry out work should look out for electricians or electrical businesses which have voluntarily registered with the regulatory systems listed below:
Scottish Joint Industry Board
SELECT (Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland) is a trade association for the electrical contracting industry in Scotland.
NICEIC (the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) is a registration body that provides assessment and certification services for contractors.
NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) operates an accredited membership scheme in the building services and fabric sector.
As the long-running campaign for professional recognition of electricians in Scotland nears its final stages, SELECT has warned that the clock is ticking for those who want to help influence the sector’s future.
Scotland’s largest construction trade association is reminding professionals that the deadline to respond to a second consultation on the regulation of the electrical industry is Friday February 12 – and is urging interested parties to take part before it’s too late.
The consultation was launched by Jamie Hepburn, MSP, the Minister for Business, Fair work and Skills, and SELECT says the fact that further parliamentary investigation into regulation is being made is an extremely encouraging sign.
Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the levels of support we have received, and the huge range of people who have publicly backed us through channels such as our Wall of Support.
“This second consultation another great opportunity for the industry to take part in and shape the future. It is a further chance for Scotland to demonstrate that we are committed to a safer industry and we would urge that all interested parties make their submission to the latest consultation.”
SELECT argues that only government legislation can bring about “comfort and security” for customers across the country and end the scourge of unqualified people passing themselves off as electrical professionals.
Grahame Barn, its Chief Executive (below) , said: “It seems a glaring anomaly that when virtually every other trade in the UK is regulated, that no such scheme operates for electricians.”
The Supplier Development Programme has also taken part, with manager Gillian Cameron saying: “Protection of title could reduce the amount of evidence required by public sector buying organisations into a single certification to determine if electricians are competent to carry out work in Scotland.”
Its campaign, which has been raised in the Scottish Parliament, is being backed by membership bodies, industry figures, professional services and individuals from across the country – and has received unprecedented levels of cross-party support from politicians.
Monica Lennon, MSP, who currently is challenging for the leadership of the Labour Party in Scotland, said in her Wall of Support message: “Poor quality electrical work carries huge risks to people’s homes, their businesses and even their lives.
“It is vitally important that consumers are helped to make informed choices whenever they employ an electrician.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Renniesaid: “I fully support the importance of using professionals in all aspects of construction work, be they multi-million-pound contracts or small domestic works.
“It is vital that we ensure only properly trained, qualified and competent people carry out these works.”
Mr Wilson pointed out that any real and effective change must be underpinned by legislation. He said voluntary regimes have never addressed the issue of dangerous and poor work often undertaken by unqualified or partially qualified persons.
He said that the Scottish Government needs to introduce a package of measures which must include Protection of Title. Establishing a single register based on the existing SJIB model would provide the comfort and security to a customer that someone calling themselves an electrician was qualified and competent.
Mr Wilson said: “There is a strong economic case for legislation. Scotland is investing £1.6 billion over the next five years in decarbonising the heat in buildings and it makes sense that those undertaking that programme are trained, qualified and competent.
“But there is also a social side. Protecting title and making the role of electrician a profession will lead to greater interest in the industry and more opportunities for women and ethnic minorities to join it, which would be a significant advantage to us all.”
Scotland’s largest construction trade association, SELECT, has welcomed a second consultation on regulation of the electrical industry which has been launched by the Scottish Government.
The consultation, lodged by Jamie Hepburn, the Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, is seeking views on “whether regulatory measures are required to give greater protection to the public and reduce the level of poor electrical workmanship by a persistent rogue trader element”.
SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson said: “This is another great opportunity for the industry to take part and shape the future.
“It’s heartening to see that the Scottish Government believes that regulation of the sector is so important that it merits this further consultation.
“It’s an excellent chance for Scotland to lead the way and demonstrate that we are committed to safer and brighter future for the industry.”
Mr Halcro Johnston hopes his consultation will lead to a Member’s Bill ensuring that only properly qualified and experienced professionals can call themselves an electrician.
SELECT and the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) were among those who responded to the consultation, which received more than 140 submissions.
In her response, Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “Electricians frequently voice their concerns and frustration that individuals who have not met the established national and industry standards and are not qualified electricians are able to use the title of electrician.
“In what is such a highly-skilled and safety-critical occupation, this situation should be rectified and the title of electrician should be protected.”
In the SELECT submission, Mr Wilson said: “Our research suggests net benefits to Scotland from proper regulation of electricians of around £58million, including the benefits of higher electrical standards, such as fewer injuries and deaths, better functioning installations, less need for call backs or for poor/unsafe work to be repaired, leading to improved customer satisfaction.”
SELECT has been leading a long-running campaign with other leading industry bodies to make sure that those who work in the industry do so in a safe and competent manner.
The groundswell of support on its Wall of Support has seen more than 100 prominent parliamentarians, industry figures and representatives of trade associations and professional services bodies pledging their commitment.
The latest consultation can be completed here and closes on 12 February 2021.
Apprentices made redundant by the fallout from COVID-19 are being offered a lifeline by an industry-focused charitable trust backed by one of Scotland’s largest trade associations.
SECTT, which manages high-quality training on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), is actively seeking alternative employment for apprentices whose posts have disappeared, and has placed many out “on loan” to companies to keep their training and skill sets up to speed.
It is hoped these employers will now offer the apprentices employment and the opportunity to complete their apprenticeship, with 50% of the young people temporarily placed with other companies now being offered full-time jobs.
The Trust says the number of apprentices being taken on has fallen from a running average of 700 to 380 since the construction industry in Scotland was shut down in March this year. Of the 2,650 apprentices in training, 52 have been made redundant, 29 of them since June 1.
Anne Galbraith, chief executive of SECTT, (above) said: “The Trust is acting decisively because, in times of crisis, not only are training budgets in the firing line, but recruitment freezes close off employment opportunities for young entrants to the workforce.
“SECTT Training Officers have been working urgently on this issue, since not every one of our trainees has access to IT and communications tools, and face-to-face training effectively ceased in March. Working with our approved centres we have been able to offer remote learning for some of the course work.
“Five months is a long time without site or college interaction and it has been proving difficult to engage with some apprentices, but thankfully only a few. The fear is that many are struggling with confidence issues and even fear of going out.
“We have been identifying those at risk and supplying laptops so that they can remain in contact and complete any online course work. SECTT Training Officers have also been operating a business as usual policy and contacting apprentices on a regular basis.
“Having said that, it is very encouraging that most SELECT members are not paying off apprentices and are also trying hard to help those in trouble. Their reaction has been extremely positive. And while recruitment numbers are down, they are rising again every week.
“As well as advice and a friendly ear, we want to be able to support the redundant apprentices to continue at college so that they can complete the stage they are in, as this makes them more attractive to employers.”
Anne added: “My priority is on our current apprentices and ensuring that they can return to college safely and are all able to complete the stages of their apprenticeship. We can then focus on recruitment. All the above supports the Scottish Government’s recovery plans.”
Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “We know times are hard and, although the UK Government’s furlough scheme has helped, some businesses are still faced with a challenging economic future.
“In an ideal world, we would want these employers to retain their apprentices where possible, but we also realise that this may not be a realistic option for everyone. However, if the worst does happen, we want apprentices to know that we are here for them and will do our very best to help.
“SECTT has been working extremely hard over these past few months, finding alternate employment for apprentices and placing them with suitable employers.
“SELECT Members should also be saluted for the way they have stepped in and offered to help with much-needed offers of work, helping us to give these would-be electricians hope for the future.”
SECTT was established in 1990 to manage the SJIB Apprentice and Adult Training Schemes. It runs the only industry approved training schemes for electrical apprenticeships in Scotland. The SJIB Schemes are designed to regulate the entry, conditions of service, training and education of all persons in the electrical contracting industry, with a particular focus on apprenticeships.
SECTT manages the apprentices throughout their training from the first day at college to becoming a qualified electrician.
For more information, please contact Iain Mason, Director of Communications at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, The Walled Garden, Bush Estate, Midlothian EH26 0SB. T: 0131 445 5577. F: 0131 445 5548. E: admin@select.org.uk. W: www.select.org.uk
Almost one third of Scotland’s MSPs have now given their support to SELECT’s campaign for regulating the profession of electrician after two more politicians added their names to the electrical trade body’s Wall of Support.
Local MSP Lib-Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton (above) and SNP MP Alan Brown this week became the latest politicians to feature on the online wall, which shows the many individuals and organisations supporting SELECT’s crusade for Protection of Title.
Mr Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, said: “I agree that poor quality electrical work carries huge risks to people’s homes, their businesses and even their lives. It is vitally important that consumers are helped to make informed choices when they employ an electrician.”
41 out of 129 MSPs now back the association’s call for legislation which would make it an offence for someone to call themselves an electrician when they have no, or inadequate, qualifications.
Mr Brown, Westminster MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said: “I am delighted to support SELECT’s campaign to regulate the electrical industry. It is a massive step in the right direction which protects my constituents and businesses within my constituency when using electricians.
“As an engineer I appreciate the protection of professional qualifications. It will ensure constituents and businesses get exactly what the pay for when hiring an electrician to carry out and keep themselves safe from faulty work.
“Far too much public cash is being spent on repairing faulty electrical work, I believe the regulation of the electric industry will reduce this significantly – that is why I am happy to work cross-party with other members and support SELECT’s campaign.”
SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson, said: “We are grateful for all the support we have received, across parties, from our politicians and, despite the difficulties all sectors of the economy are currently facing, we remain firm in our belief that our ongoing campaign to make electrician a regulated profession will ultimately succeed.
“Once we are through the worst of this pandemic, the need for properly qualified electricians will be more important than ever to help Scotland rebuild and recover safely.”
Other bodies that have contributed a brick to SELECT’s Wall of Support include the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), Unite the Union, Electrical Safety First, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Scottish Association of Landlords, the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group and the Energy Saving Trust.
The issue is now progressing through the Scottish Parliament and, before the COVID-19 pandemic, a Member’s Bill was being prepared for discussion later this year.
The Scottish Government has also pledged to publish a consultation on the regulation of electricians as part of its 2019-20 Programme for Government, which was released in September 2019.
