Tag: trades

Scotland’s plumbing and heating apprentices shine at national competition

Three outstanding apprentices have been named winners at the 49th Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year (SPAY) competition, each taking top honours in the categories of copper, lead, and renewable technologies.

The competition, organised by the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF), showcases the diverse skills and emerging talent within Scotland’s plumbing and heating profession.

Shaun Wilcox, representing Moray College, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), clinched his second consecutive win in the copper category, building on his success in the lead category in 2023. Jude MacAskill of Inverness College UHI triumphed in the renewable category, and Hubert Parysek from Forth Valley College took top honours in the lead category.

Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, commended all the apprentices who participated: “These achievements not only highlight the remarkable skills of our category winners but also showcase the exceptional talent of all the apprentices.

“Their success is supported by their respective colleges and employers, which helps to lay a solid foundation for their future careers in the plumbing and heating profession.

“The addition of a renewable technology category to the competition reflects the updates to our Modern Apprenticeship in Plumbing and Heating, providing apprentices with the essential skills to lead the nation’s transition to sustainable, low-carbon heating systems.”

Now in its 49th year, the SPAY competition was held at South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride. It features three categories: copper, lead, and renewables.

Apprentices are tasked with demonstrating their knowledge and practical skills, from creating intricate copper pipework essential for modern plumbing systems to managing and shaping lead components for use in older buildings and deploying advanced renewable technologies.

Notably, the copper category serves as the Scottish qualifier for the SkillPLUMB UK finals, highlighting its importance on a national level.

Neil Collishaw, Chief Executive of BPEC and competition headline sponsor, highlighted the competition’s importance: “The copper category serves as the Scottish qualifying heat for the SkillPLUMB UK finals.

Integrating these regional heats into our national competition framework ensures broad attainment of standards across the UK, fosters professional growth, and equips participants for success on both national and international stages.

“I look forward to seeing the best of all the SkillPLUMB UK-wide competitors at this year’s UK finals in Manchester between 21 and 23 November.”

University of the Highlands and Islands scoop six out of nine top prizes.

The University of the Highlands and Islands achieved remarkable success by securing six of the top nine awards, reinforcing its reputation as a centre of excellence in vocational education and a major contributor to the development of Scotland’s future plumbing and heating professionals.

Shaun Wilcox, Shay Ewing, and Ben MacDonald swept the copper category, taking all three prizes. In the renewables category, Jude MacAskill claimed first place, with Sean Davidson taking third, and Liam Marshall earned a second-place prize in the lead category.

Dale Thomson, SNIPEF Training Services Manager and organiser of the competition, praised UHI’s strong performance at this year’s competition, saying, “The University of the Highlands and Islands has consistently demonstrated its commitment to training the next generation of plumbing and heating professionals at its colleges in Moray, Perth, and Inverness.

“We celebrate their success and also recognise the vital support from employers who invest in these apprentices, nurturing remarkable talent.”

The 2024 competition was supported by BPEC as the headline sponsor, with category sponsors NIBE for renewables, Airdrie Mechanical Services for copper, and City Plumbing for the lead category.

Over 26,000 extra construction workers required in Scotland by 2028 to meet demand 

  • Industry faces ongoing need to match growth with workforce
  • Recruitment and retention are key opportunities for sector resilience 

The annual industry forecast from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) highlights the continuing persistent gap between what Scotland needs to keep up with demand and the workforce available to meet the challenge.  

CITB’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) 2024-28 report reveals that in Scotland:  

·         Construction output is set to rise by 2.1% annually between now and 2028 

·         26,100 extra workers (5,220 a year) will be needed in order to meet the continued construction growth expected over the next five years 

·         The major opportunities are in: 

o    Repair and maintenance 

o    Public non-housing 

o    Commercial. 

Despite the industry managing to recruit around 200,000 people every year UK-wide, in 2023, an average of 38,000 vacancies were advertised per month. For almost a third (31%) of construction employers, finding suitably skilled staff remains their key challenge, particularly with more older workers retiring and not being replaced. 

Although the UK construction industry welcomed 200,000 new workers, it saw the loss of more (210,000 workers). With the ongoing difference between the predicted need for construction work and the available workforce, CITB’s forecast shows how important it is for the industry to tackle the issues with effective recruitment and training to replace those leaving and better prepare for the future, as well as to take advantage of key opportunities such as productivity improvements and meeting net zero retrofit targets. 

In response to the challenges, CITB has invested £267m to help the industry improve diversity, quality and productivity as well as making construction a more attractive career choice for future generations.

Among the areas this investment will directly support are three expanded initiatives:  

·         New Entrant Support Team (NEST) – helping employers to better navigate the recruitment process, access grants and suitable training, when and where needed 

·         Industry Impact Fund – making direct funding available for employers to design and test new solutions for talent recruitment and retention challenges 

·         Employer Network – rolling this out across Great Britain, to enable local employers to set their own funding priorities and meet area-specific skills needs. 

CITB Scotland Engagement Director, Ian Hughes, said: “Construction is an essential sector for our regional and national economic prosperity. We anticipate continued industry growth in Scotland, but we need to meet demand with more people in the workforce with the right skills.  

“CITB’s CSN report highlights how Scotland employers can address the challenge by recruiting and developing a skilled, competent and diverse workforce that is able to meet current and future needs. 

“Scotland has a number of construction investments supported by City Region Deals, Regional Growth Deals and Green Freeports. 

“These wide-ranging projects include the proposed debris flow shelter for the A83 at Rest & Be Thankful, the £25m hydrogen demonstration network in Fife, and £200m towards the mains replacement for Scottish Gas Networks.

“Works are underway for the £91m Clyde Waterfront & Renfrew Riverside development, with a new River Clyde Bridge as part of the Glasgow City Region Deal. Dunfermline’s £250m Learning Campus is due for completion on a purpose-built low carbon site in the eastern expansion area.

“Meanwhile, proposals for the £250m revamp of Charing Cross would bring student accommodation and healthcare facilities followed by mixed-tenure residential, office and leisure space as well as the creation of a new gateway into the city.

“We are committed to ensuring that the skills system is fit for purpose to deliver on the great opportunities across Scotland, now and in the future.

“The industry has shown particular resilience throughout what has been an undeniably tough few years. Here at CITB, we have a crucial role to play in supporting its growth through recruitment, training, development and upskilling.” 

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SNIPEF honours the rising stars in Best Apprentice Plumber awards

Apprentices in the plumbing and heating sector, whose importance has seldom been more keenly recognised, have once again been recognised with the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) Best Apprentice Plumber awards.

The talent and enthusiasm they bring to their journey towards the status of a qualified plumber is the pride of the sector and their achievement confirms to them that the career choice they made has been comprehensively vindicated.

To celebrate the hard work and determination they have displayed, the campaigning trade association has honoured 17 apprentices from the colleges in Scotland in which they study their craft. Each one received a £100 voucher.

SNIPEF’s accolade for the future stars of the profession comes at a time when plumbing and heating is increasingly being seen as making a valuable social contribution during the transition to net zero carbon as well as being a pathway to a rewarding and satisfying working life.

Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, said: “This is the 32nd year that SNIPEF has been seeking out and rewarding the best talent among our stars. It is an accolade that they most certainly deserve.

“It is also a great tribute to employers, for the faith they have demonstrated in our people, but also to the apprentices themselves, the colleges which nurture their ambitions and the organisations such as SNIPEF which wholeheartedly support them.

“We were hard hit over the last few years, when uncertainty stalked the land, so it is very heartening not only that apprentice numbers are back up to where they were before the pandemic, but that the quality of people we are bringing in is so satisfying.”

Dale Thomson, Apprentice Training Manager for SNIPEF, said: “The industry has always been very aware that its future lies in the skill and dedication of the people who are embarking on their careers at this time.

“Unlike a university further education, for which people may have to take out student loans, a plumbing apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification and for apprentices to earn while they learn.

“The industry and employers within the sector are always on the lookout for people with the right qualities – initiative, enthusiasm and willingness to learn – and if someone is attracted by the prospect, they could start here.”

Those picked out and honoured by their respective colleges this year include:

  • Ayrshire College. Winner: Aiden McIlroy, Derek Campbell Plumbing, Heating and Gas Services.
  • Borders College: Winner: Stephen Cairns, Mike Cairns Heating and Gas Services
  • Dundee College. Winner: Gregor McNee, Tayside Boiler Services.
  • Edinburgh College. Winner: Jack Forbes, A Alexander & Son (Electrical) Ltd (pictured top)
  • Fife College East. Winner: Owen Robertson, Alistair Thorpe, Cupar, Ltd
  • Forth Valley College. Winner: Hubert Parysek, Comfort Systems Plumbing & Heating Ltd.
  • Glasgow Clyde College. Winner: Kyle Shanahan, Emtec Group.
  • Glasgow Kelvin College. Winner: Matthew Strachan, Axwell Technical Services.
  • Inverness College. Winner: Kirsty Maclean, Alex Matheson Plumbing and Heating
  • Moray College. Winner: Sean Esslemont, McDonald & Munro Ltd.
  • North East Scotland College. Winner: Grant Hunter, Willie Gauld Plumbing, Heating and Renewables.
  • Perth College. Winner: Daniel Van Wyk, DM Plumbing.
  • South Lanarkshire College. Winner: Tom Gillies, BS Plumbing and Heating Services.
  • Tullos Training Ltd. Winner: Adam Myron, Heatcare Oil and Gas Ltd.
  • West College Scotland Clydebank. Winner: Ben Anderson, The Boiler Repair Man.
  • West College Scotland Greenock. Winner: Ritchie McArthur, James Paterson and Sons Plumbing and Heating.
  • West College Scotland Paisley. Winner: Paul Marshall, James Frew Ltd.

SNIPEF has been at the forefront of innovation in training and skills to ensure a vibrant and dynamic industry staffed by professionals versed in the complexity of the technologies which are underpinning renewables and meeting the demand for clean energy in an age of climate change.

Mesothelioma Awareness Day: 29% of Edinburgh tradespeople encounter asbestos every year

New research has found that 29% of tradespeople in Edinburgh are exposed to asbestos every single year.

Ahead of Mesothelioma Awareness Day tomorrow (26th September), an event aiming to bring more attention to the dangers of asbestos, ElectricalDirectsurveyed trade workers from across the nation to see how often they encounter it, and the impact this has on their health.

The study found that 57% of tradespeople in Edinburgh have come across asbestos – the fibre-like material once used for insulation – in their working lives.

This has serious consequences, with 14% having had symptoms of an asbestos-related disease, or knowing a colleague who has. 

Tradespeople are amongst the most at-risk workers of asbestos-related diseases, and across all industries, the majority are exposed to the potentially lethal material on a regular basis. Three in five (60%) find it every year, over a third (35%) say every month, and one in 12 (8%) come face to face with asbestos every day. 

Tragically, one in 20 (5%) know someone who has died of such a condition, and every week, 20 tradespeople deaths are attributed to asbestos. 

Some trades are more likely to be exposed than others, and so should be particularly cautious. Almost every carpenter (95%) questioned had some history with asbestos, and bricklayers (88%) are a close second. 

The trades that are most likely to encounter asbestos are: 

With such severe consequences, it’s important that tradespeople know the warning signs of the diseases, and consult a doctor straight away if any appear. Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi, the digital healthcare provider, says that asbestosis causes a range of symptoms, including: 

  • Persistent cough 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Wheezing 
  • Pain in the chest or shoulder 
  • Tiredness Swollen or ‘clubbed’ fingertips 

However, ElectricalDirect’s research found that the majority of UK tradespeople are unaware of these symptoms. When asked to identify the signs of asbestosis, almost two-thirds (64%) failed to select a persistent cough, and over half (55%) didn’t pick out shortness of breath. 

Dr Rhianna explains more about the condition: 

What is abestosis? 

“Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by breathing in large amounts of asbestos dust for a long time. The asbestos gets lodged in the lungs causing scarring around the air sacs (alveoli), which means oxygen can’t reach the bloodstream easily. The scarring leads to the lungs hardening, making it more difficult to breathe because the lungs cannot hold as much air as they used to.” 

What causes it? 

“The condition is caused by long-term exposure to asbestos, a material used in the past for cement, insulation, car parts, and some roof and floor tiles. The fibres in asbestos break down into little pieces when they’re damaged, released into the air and then breathed in. These fibres get stuck in the lungs, and over a long time, can cause permanent lung damage.” 

Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, said: “Despite being banned in the UK in 1999, asbestos is a still a real issue in the industry, and it’s awful that so many tradespeople die from related diseases every year. 

“Some people might not experience symptoms for decades after their exposure to the material, so it’s important that individuals remain vigilant, and see a doctor immediately if they spot any signs.” 

To read ElectricalDirect’s full Asbestos and the Trades: 2022 report, including what to do if you encounter asbestos at work, and the treatment options for those who spot symptoms, visit: https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/blog/asbestos-and-the-trades-2022

Edinburgh electricians reveal the 10 most common electrical mistakes they see in homes

Leaving switches or outlets loosely connected is the most common electrical mistake seen by Edinburgh electricians

Edinburgh electricians have revealed the 10 most common electrical DIY mistakes they see in people’s homes, with some possibly leading to serious injuries or worse. 

Almost half (49%) of Brits have meddled with their home’s electrics, so ElectricalDirect, the specialist retailer of electrical products, asked hundreds of electricians to reveal the most common errors people make, and then rank them in terms of severity. 

These are the 10 most common electrical mistakes seen by Edinburgh electricians:

1. Leaving switches or outlets loosely connected

2. Installing electrical outlets close to water

3. Leaving plastic-sheathed cable unprotected

4. Installing cable without a clamp

5. Reversing hot and neutral wires

6. Installing lightbulbs near flammable materials

7. Over-stacking extension cords or electrical outlets

8. Recessing boxes behind the wall surface

9. Cutting wires too short

10. Handling electrical appliances or outlets with wet hands

The most dangerous mistake is not protecting plastic-sheathed cable. John McCallister, electrical expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, explains why this is problematic: “Leaving plastic-sheathed cables unprotected exposes them to snagging and cuts, which could lead to fires or lethal shocks. Running them through a conduit minimises this risk.” 

The 10 most dangerous electrical mistakes we make at home are: 

Second on the list is leaving switches or outlets loosely connected.  

John says: “Loose connections cause movement that can potentially disrupt the power supply or allow live wires to wiggle loose, exposing them to your fingers. This means that there’s a potential risk of electrocution or fire.”

 

Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, said: “Interest in DIY has massively increased over the last few years and while this is great to see, it’s important that people stay away from certain electrical jobs that can lead to injuries. 

“That’s why we consulted electricians from across the country to reveal the tasks which are best left to the professionals.” 

For more expert comments about why these 10 electrical mistakes are dangerous, visit: https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/blog/10-dangerous-electrical-diy-mistakes

SkillsPLUMB: Scotland’s apprentice plumbers display their expertise

Following a two-year Covid gap, Scotland’s top plumbing apprentices have finally had the opportunity of demonstrating their expertise at the much-anticipated SkillsPLUMB competition held at Glasgow Clyde College last month.

Organised by SNIPEF, Scotland and Northern Ireland’s plumbing and heating industry’s trade association, the SkillPLUMB competition, which enables talented apprentices to showcase their skills and knowledge of best plumbing practice, is designed to promote standards and skills across the plumbing industry by developing competence into excellence.

Under close inspection by industry experts, competing apprentices tested their expertise on a series of challenging practical tests and were assessed on their individual knowledge, practical skills and employability attributes against set criteria in a competitively timed environment.

The action-packed day saw a total of 24 apprentices from colleges and training centres across Scotland competing for the top prizes in the lead and copper competitions. The winners were as follows:

LEAD Winners

  • First: Gregor McNee of Dundee & Angus College who is employed by Tayside Boiler Services.
  • Second: Ryan McCrone of Glasgow Clyde College who works for Cruden Building (Scotland) Ltd.
  • Third: Ben Mitchell of West College Scotland (Paisley) who is employed by James Frew.

COPPER Winners

  • First: Sean Esslemont of Moray College who is employed by McDonald & Munro Ltd.
  • Second: Kayne Forsyth of North East College Scotland who works for Camwater Ltd.
  • Third: Jack Forbes of Edinburgh College who is employed by A Alexander & Son (Electrical) Ltd.

The competition gave participants three hours to complete practical exercises in copper pipework or lead work before their work was to be critiqued assessed and marked by a panel of technical experts.

As the Scotland regional heat for SkillPLUMB, the highest-scoring competitors in the copper competition may go onto represent Scotland in the WorldSkillsUK 2022 National Finals which will take place this November in Middlesbrough.

The judges of the lead competition were Alan Marshall, Associated Lead Mills, Robin Hall, SNIPEF Past President and George Todd, SNIPEF Technical Advisor.

The judges of the copper competition were John Docherty, SNIPEF Junior Vice-President, Paul Dodds MBE, UK Skills, Mally Butters, British Plumbing Employers Council (BPEC) and Martyn Raine, SNIPEF Technical Manager.

Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, attended the event as the SkillPLUMB competition’s guest of honour.

Stephanie Lowe, Acting Chief Executive Officer of SNIPEF, said: “This great event would not be possible without the support of our partners, funders and sponsors to whom we wish to say a huge thank you, not least to Associated Lead Mills for supplying the lead and Mueller Europe for supplying the copper.”

Edinburgh College selected to host major national skills competitions

Edinburgh College has been confirmed as one of six venues across the UK, and the only Scottish college, to host WorldSkills UK 2022 National Competition Finals in November.

WorldSkills UK sees the country’s top students and apprentices compete in a wide range of competitions for medals and a potential place at a global WorldSkills finals event in France in 2024.

Designed by industry experts, WorldSkills UK competitions help young people grow personally and professionally by developing their technical and employability skills, as well as shining a light on the skills potential across the UK.

The finals are the culmination of a seven-month process including regional heats and intensive training.

The College is hosting eleven finals at its Granton Campus, including Forthside building, during the week commencing Monday 14 November.

Students and apprentices will descend on Scotland’s capital to participate in the following finals: Bricklaying, Carpentry, Foundation Skills: Woodworking, Furniture and Cabinet Making, Joinery, Painting and Decorating, Plastering, Plastering and Drywall Systems, Roofing and Tiling, Stonemasonry, Wall and Floor Tiling.

The week culminates with a live medal ceremony broadcast presented by Steph McGovern who will reveal who winners are from her Packed Lunch studio on Friday 25 November.

Young people across the region will be able to attend competitions and experience the spectacle of the finals at Granton Campus, and drop-in to events showcasing what the college offers as well as gain careers advice and the opportunity to talk to employers and industry experts.

People who cannot attend local events will get the chance to follow things online through a special broadcast featuring live finals action, as well as interviews and advice from previous winners, experts and career advisors.

Other venues across the UK hosting finals are as follows: Barking and Dagenham, Belfast Metropolitan, Blackpool and the Fylde, Cardiff and Vale, and Middlesbrough colleges.

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “We’re thrilled to have been selected as one of six venues to host finals of WorldSkills UK. We’re looking forward to welcoming students, apprentices, visitors and other stakeholders to our Granton Campus in November.

“Skills competitions like WorldSkills UK are enormous spectacles and provide a platform for skilled students to thrive, and for other young people and those perhaps looking to change jobs to learn more about careers which these highly-skilled disciplines provide. WorldSkills sets the bar extremely high with globally recognised standards and businesses increasingly looking to employ students reaching the heights the standards set. 

“More than that, in the context of plugging future skills gaps and the requirement for more skilled workers to be produced to meet national targets across a range of issues including house-building, sustainability, digital infrastructure, to name a few – it is vital that we continue to highlight skills training with events like these.”

WorldSkills UK Deputy CEO Ben Blackledge said: “We are really excited to be taking the show on the road with finals hosted by colleges across the UK. We hope witnessing the drama of the finals live will inspire young people to keep developing their technical and employability skills.

“With 62 finals spread over six venues there should be something for everyone, but we will also be providing loads of online content for people who are unable to get to one of the host venues that week.

“We are looking forward to producing our special broadcast with live action and top tips from industry experts and careers advisors. We are also delighted to confirm that Steph McGovern will be doing the duties on awards night and revealing the winners live from her Packed Lunch studio.

“With skills at the heart of UK government plans to level up and rebuild the economy, we are delighted to be playing our part and giving more young people the opportunity to explore the many opportunities and careers that high-quality skills offer.”

Sparking an interest in electrical apprenticeships

Scotland’s electrical training body has saluted an “excellent” start to the academic year after the number of electrical apprentices and adult trainees beginning their studies reached a 12-year high.

More than 800 new learners have enrolled on the Electrical Apprenticeship and Adult Trainee Programmes for 2021, with colleges and training centres reporting full classrooms as future professionals take their first steps on the electrical ladder.

The intake is the highest in Scotland since 2009 – and the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) says it’s another encouraging sign of the determination to tackle the UK-wide skills shortage .

Barrie McKay, Training and Development Manager at SECTT, which manages high-quality training on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), said: “I’ve been at SECTT for more than 20 years and it’s really encouraging to see a return to such high numbers.

“The figures are particularly satisfying  given the position the industry was in this time last year, when only 500 people began training due to the impact of COVID-19.

“This improved intake illustrates that people recognise that the future is electric and also understand that their personal prospects will be brighter if they’re part of a sector that is going to play a key part in all our lives.”

A total of 2,158 electrical apprentices and adult trainees are currently training in Scotland, including the 715 apprentices and 126 adult trainees recruited for the 2021 intake.

Barrie added: “Not only are the numbers looking good, but the quality of the young people being taken on – both male and female – is really impressive.

“The industry has been concerned for some time about skills shortages as the demand for qualified electricians accelerates, and the enthusiasm and dedication of these new recruits goes a long way to easing these fears and suggesting that there is an appetite to learn among the electrical talent of tomorrow.

“As colleges continue to recover from the challenges of COVID-19, they will now help their students embrace all the modern technologies which will play such a huge part in a greener and more sustainable future.”

SECTT and the SJIB praised employers for taking on apprentices in numbers earlier this year, confounding fears that recruitment could be a casualty of the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both bodies also pointed towards the altered perception of employment in the sector, thanks to the long-running campaign for regulation of the electrical industry spearheaded by SELECT, Scotland’s largest construction trade association.

Fiona Harper, Director of Employment & Skills at SELECT and The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “The industry as a whole is committed to the next generation of talent coming through, and employers are clearly supportive of creating a pool of highly-trained, highly-qualified personnel to take their business and the sector forward.”

Local MSP supports SELECT campaign

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.