Training

PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME GAINS IMPORTANCE

As the construction industry returns to work, the Scottish El ectrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) have stressed the importance of preparing the next generation of electricians through the Pre-apprenticeship Programme.

Since its launch in 2000, the programme has given thousands of youngsters a thorough grounding in the industry and provided employers with a succession of confident and well-equipped apprentices.

The SJIB and SECTT now say this pathway from school to college and full-time employment as an Electrical Installation Modern Apprentice will be more vital than ever in the new industrial landscape.

Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, says, “As we emerge and refocus from the pandemic, rebuilding the construction industry and preparing the next generation of electricians has never been more important. Once employers are ready to take on apprentices again, those who have taken a pre-apprenticeship programme will make extremely attractive candidates.

“The Pre-apprenticeship Programme is vital as it gives people of any age a purpose and helps prepare them for the time when employers will contemplate taking on apprentices and adult trainees again.”

Delivered at colleges across Scotland working with SECTT on behalf of the SJIB, the programme was launched in 2000 as an enhancement to the Modern Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation.

It now provides would-be electricians with basic training in hand skills, health and safety and an understanding of the college system. Pre-apprentices are also provided with personal protective clothing by SECTT and, once they have completed the health and safety requirements, are awarded an SJIB ECS safety card to allow them on site.

Anne Galbraith, CEO of SECTT, adds, “The advantages of the programme are three-fold, with pre-apprentices, employers and colleges all benefiting.

“Pre-apprentices gain an invaluable insight into the role of an electrician, helping them to make an informed career choice. Employers gain a ‘job ready’ candidate who has shown a good attitude and understanding of what’s

required. And when the pre-apprentices return for a Modern Apprenticeship, colleges gain students who are motivated and understand the college system.”

This programme is offered in a number of colleges that already deliver the SJIB Electrical Apprenticeship and Adult Training Scheme, and can be delivered in different ways to suit each college’s resources.

Courses are delivered on either a full or part-time basis, with some colleges offering the Building Services National Progression Award or Electrical National Certificate, and others providing a mix of units with a college certificate.

SECTT, sectt.org.uk | SJIB, sjib.org.uk

TECHNICAL WEBINAR SERIES PROVES A HIT

NICEIC and Elecsa have once again underlined their commitment to raising standards, promoting technical excellence, and supporting their registrants as they deliver an all-new series of their hit webinar programme, The Wire.

Free and exclusive to NICEIC and Elecsa contractors, the latest round of The Wire has reached an impressive 8,000 viewers since its launch in April. Broadcasting eight episodes to date (at time of publication) – and covering key topics such as RCD types and testing, EICR coding and SPDs – the CPD accredited series has delivered over six hours of in-depth technical know-how to registrants.

As the series progresses, and in direct response to customer feedback, The Wire switched to a new regular slot of 8pm on alternate Wednesdays from June 17. Keeping contractors firmly in mind, upcoming episodes will continue to focus on relevant topics including PRS, guidance and working with PME.

“We are delighted with the response we have seen to the series so far,” says John O’Neill, NICEIC’S Technical Director. “At a time when face-to-face training has had to pause momentarily, it is vital that we keep our registrants at the forefront of technical insight and developments, and The Wire is proving to be the right tool for the job.

“Undoubtedly, we are pleased with the viewing numbers, but for me, what is more encouraging is the feedback we are receiving from our customers. Of those polled, 95% rated the sessions as ‘excellent’, with 97% confirming they were extremely likely to tune in again. Reactions such as this prove to me that we are on the right track and that we are providing the tools our registrants truly need. As we move into the summer months, we will remain focused on delivering subject matter that is important to our registrants as we strive to build upon this solid foundation.”

Previous episodes are available to all registered NICEIC and Elecsa contractors via the customer portal. Visit niceic.com/contractor/essentials/ events/the-wire for details of upcoming webinars. NICEIC, niceic.com | Elecsa, elecsa.co.uk

HEAT PUMP ASSOCIATION SEEKS A ‘GREEN RECOVERY’

The Heat Pump As sociation (HPA) has launched a training strategy that lays out how the heating industry needs to transform to enable the wider adoption of heat pumps throughout the UK building stock.

The upskilling of heating installers provides the potential for long-term job growth at the same time as helping to achieve net zero emissions; something that could form an important part of a ‘green recovery’.

The strategy contains five clear steps for how a plumbing and heating engineer can be trained to meet the new challenges we face in trying to achieve the UK goal of a zero carbon future, reducing administration costs, and recommending to government that they support a training voucher scheme for the first 5,000 installers to go through the new course. The strategy comes at the same time two industry-wide consultations are published on qualification criteria for training courses.

Graham Wright, Chairman of the HPA, says, “The Committee on Climate Change has made clear that we need to move to heat pumps taking over from gas boilers as the default replacement heating system within the next 10-15 years. This is ambitious, but entirely achievable if we move now to retrain and upskill a market that already exists of around 120,000 existing heating engineers.

“The role of installers cannot be underestimated in decarbonising heat. The strategy we are launching, together with the consultations on qualification criteria released earlier [in June], are key steps towards achieving this and provide the potential for green jobs as we look to recover from the current crisis.”

Heat Pump Association, heatpumps.org.uk