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Industry News
IET INCREASES MATCH FUNDING SCHEME
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has increased its match funding scheme to £2 million, in order to support and inspire more future engineers.
The original target of £1 million, set as part of its 150th anniversary, has been met and the IET has agreed to continue matching donations for its Diamond Jubilee Scholarships, Engineering Horizons Bursaries and Education 4-19 programmes up to the value of £2 million.
It’s no secret that there is a skills gap in engineering. This is attributable to a number of factors, including the way in which engineering is perceived by young people, accessibility and routes to entry, as well as how well-resourced teachers are in the classroom and beyond. The IET’s STEM programmes address all these factors and its Awards support aspiring engineers and technicians at a crucial time in their education.
IET, theiet.org
RECOLIGHT CELEBRATES RECYCLING THIRD OF A BILLION LAMPS
Recolight has announced a major milestone, having funded the recycling of a third of a billion fluorescent and LED lamps and luminaires since the WEEE regulations were implemented in 2007. This is enough waste to fill the Royal Albert Hall 12 times.
Operating as a not-for-profit compliance scheme, Recolight’s funds are used to finance a free lamp collection and recycling service for all business end users. A free luminaire recycling service is provided for Recolight’s Producer Members. This way of operating goes above and beyond the strict legal requirements of the WEEE regulations.
Nigel Harvey, Chief Executive of Recolight said, “Our Members and collection partners can be very proud that they have achieved this milestone. Their role is integral in making sure we meet the Recolight recycling targets and it is a testament to their dedication to improve lighting recycling in the UK.”
The company’s waste lamp collection service continued almost uninterrupted throughout lockdown – although clearly the number of collection requests received dropped significantly. Recolight, recolight.co.uk
ACT NOW, SAYS PRIVA
Time is of the essence if public sector institutions are to take full advantage of the UK Government’s £1bn funding pot for improving energy efficiency, says Priva UK.
A manufacturer of intelligent building control technology, Priva is urging local authorities to move quickly to apply for a share of £1bn fund – the detail of which was published by BEIS in October.
Application closing dates depend on the type of eligible organisation – ranging from 12 October 2020 to 11 January 2021.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which will be administered and delivered by Salix Finance, will help councils install energy efficiency and low carbon heating measures, reducing energy bills and carbon emissions. The scheme is also expected to create up to 30,000 low-carbon jobs. Priva UK, priva.com
FSA CALLS FOR MANDATORY USE OF COMPETENT FIRE PROFESSIONALS
A legal requirement to mandate the use of competent fire safety professionals should be introduced, according to a submission from the Fire & Security Association (FSA) to the Government.
FSA argues that only competent fire risk assessors and fire professionals (engaged by Responsible Persons) should be able to undertake fire risk assessments. FSA contends that individual competency should include holding a robust, relevant qualification.
Furthermore, FSA believes that the recording of all fire risk assessments should become mandatory, and that as part of plans to strengthen the legal basis of the Fire Safety Order, the introduction of an ‘approved code of practice’ would set the requirements.
FSA technical director Mike Smith says: “It’s absolutely vital that urgent steps are taken to give householders confidence that buildings and installations are safe and protected against the risks of fire and electric shock. Mandating the use of competent fire professionals who hold robust qualifications is fundamental to this approach, and FSA strongly urges the Government to legislate on this critical issue.”
FSA, eca.co.uk
NEW STRUCTURE SETS THE BAR HIGH
The Network Infrastructure Industry has developed a new Occupational Qualification Structure leading to Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Card recognition, which aligns with the future of the industry and addresses the need to bring together the wide-ranging skills which exist in the current workforce.
Developed by an industry wide group formed of the ECA, JIB, SELECT, CNet Training and a large group of employers, the new Occupational Qualification Structure follows the launch of the Network Cable Installer Apprenticeship Standard. It sets the benchmark for new entrants to the market at Level 3, but also crucially addresses the need to recognise professionals currently in the workforce that already benefit from hands-on experience, previous education and training and industry recognised qualifications.
Formerly known as datacomms, the Network Infrastructure Industry covers the installation of data cabling, hardware and other devices which enable computing and communication between users, services and other networked applications.
This new pathway clarifies the differences in education, training and experience for those already in the industry, and sets out a route for those entering the network cabling infrastructure industry.
From 1 January 2021 all new (initial) applications must comply with the Structure, which includes the requirement for a Network Infrastructure Assessment for those applying for the Network Infrastructure Assistant card. From 1 July 2021 all card renewals will also need to meet the requirements of the new Occupational Qualification Structure. ECS, ecscard.org.uk/Network-Infrastructure
Specialist construction, mechanical and electrical supplier, DP Building Systems, has announced its charity partnership with Cancer Research UK.
The partnership has a clear focus of raising £100,000 of funds over the next two years. The charity is estimating a £160m drop in income this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For every product purchased, a donation will go directly towards helping to reduce this shortfall.
DP Building Systems and Cancer Research UK are currently working together to launch two products in November 2020, which will feature a Universal 5-in-1 USB Fast Charging Cable which includes the Cancer Research UK branded colours.
Rob White, Commercial Director, DP Building Systems, comments: “Our products have been designed to raise much needed donations whilst adding value to everyone’s day-to-day lives, not just a throw away product. The packaging is 99% biodegradable, and the products have all been tested and approved.”
The products will be available to purchase from November 2020. DP Building Systems, dpbuildingsystems.co.uk
SELECT OFFERS ITS MEMBERS NEW PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE SCHEME
In the latest addition to its portfolio of services, Select, Scotland’s largest trade association, has joined with one of the UK’s largest independent professional indemnity (PI) insurance brokers to offer its members essential business protection.
Along with Bristol-based industry expert, Brunel, Select will provide advantageous deals for member companies and individuals, insulating them from the potentially crippling costs of legal action.
The campaigning body for the electrotechnical sector in Scotland will offer a scheme exclusive to member companies with competitive premiums and easy instalment payment options.
The opportunity is part of a comprehensive package of benefits and service available to Select members, including technical support, health, safety and employment advice, free risk assessments, welfare, pensions and legal advice and private medical insurance.
HOW TO EARN A FIVE-STAR REVIEW
Electricians that are tidy, professional, punctual, friendly and courteous have the best chance of earning themselves a fivestar customer review, new research shows.
Electrical wholesaler ERF Electrical The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is partnering with the Construction Industry Federation to promote better mental health and wellbeing within the Irish construction industry.
The charity launched its 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline and app in Ireland in June and it is the only charity providing free and confidential financial, physical and mental wellbeing support dedicated to the construction workforce and their families.
The CIF’s recent ‘Mental Health Report’ called for a number of actions to help support the mental health of workers, including ensuring resources are available to develop a positive mental health and wellbeing culture on construction sites.
The report also found that only 13% of micro-enterprises have a formal reporting policy. This is despite half of all companies saying mental health issues affected absenteeism in the industry. 94% of companies believe it is critically important the industry improves management of employees’ mental wellbeing.
The partnership will ensure that organisations are aware of all the free resources available to them including the 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline and app and a huge variety of mental health and wellbeing training. Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, lighthouseclub.org analysed 1,000 five-star Checkatrade reviews to discover the factors that make up an ‘excellent’ review. One in five customers (21%) gave top marks to those that cleaned up after themselves, with those living in Bristol valuing cleanliness above anything else.
In Liverpool, Glasgow and Leeds, residents are more likely than anywhere else to praise those that are ‘on-time’; in Liverpool, punctuality was mentioned in 25% of top reviews.
The research took into account 100 reviews across 10 major cities, which also included Birmingham, Edinburgh, Sheffield. Tidiness and friendliness were among the top qualities mentioned in nine of the 10 cities.
The highest-ranked qualities, according to the percentage of reviews they appeared in, were:
• Tidy/clean (21%) • Professional (20%) • Polite/courteous (20%) • On-time (18%) • Friendly (16%) • Reliable (10%) • Efficient (10%) • Helpful (7%)
The research also reveals that Leicester residents are most likely than anywhere else to praise those with good manners, with one in five (22%) of reviews mentioning the friendliness of an electrician.
ERF Electrical, erfelectrical.co.uk
SHINING A LIGHT FOR IRISH CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
Leicester, London, Nottingham and
NAPIT SUPPORTIVE OF SETTING THE BAR REPORT
The Final Report of the Competence Steering Group for Building a Safer Future, ‘Setting the Bar – A New Competence Regime for Building a Safer Future’ has been published.
The report has been written following engagement with more than 300 organisations and through 13 working groups, with a unified vision to improve the competence of those who work in or on higher-risk buildings (HRB), be that design, construction, inspection or management, as well as focusing on the safety and compliance of products used during the build and future renovations.
The report focuses explicitly on the competence of installers working on and in HRB’s and how best to ensure their competence and identify them.
Michael Andrews, NAPIT’s Chief Executive Officer comments: “It’s great to see a focus on ensuring the accredited third-party certification of companies alongside the verification of individual competence and supervision playing a key role within the recommendations set out in this report. Accredited company certification allows for insurance and consumer protection requirements to be mandatory and provides a route for monitoring the competence of individuals working for those companies. We fully support the proposal to require all installers working within HRB’s to have a core knowledge of fire safety within buildings and agree that requiring individuals to demonstrate their ability to work within HRBs, through regular third party assessments and CPD is a positive step forward for the industry – especially if authentication is digitalised.”
Following the publication of the final report from the Competence Steering Group, it is now up to industry to continue to work together on the implementation phase and ensure the recommendations within the report are put into practice. This work will be closely monitored by the new Building Safety Regulator, being set up within the Health and Safety Executive. NAPIT, napit.org.uk
Aico has launched the fifth edition of its Electrical Contractors Handybook. Following on from the previous edition being designed with the customer in mind, the fifth edition compliments the new design with a wealth of extra features.
The new edition has all the essential information needed to help choose, site, install and maintain domestic Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms and systems, along with new updates on the Ei1000G SmartLINK Gateway. The Handybook will keep readers up to date with the latest standards and legislation, including the new updates in Scotland.
The fifth edition is completely free of charge and will provide extra information on the importance of testing and Aico’s wide range of accessories. Along with the physical copies, a handy PDF version is also being made available, with the Aico Handbook App also being updated. The previous version of the Handybook App was used by thousands of installers and gained great feedback.
MOVERS & SHAKERS…
Simon Barkes has been elected as the fourth President of ETIM International. Barkes is a long-time champion of digitalisation for the UK’s electrotechnical sector and led the introduction of the ETIM (the international data model for the standardisation and classification of technical product data) global data standard to this country in 2017.
The Joint Industry Board (JIB) has confirmed that Sir Brendan Barber, former general secretary of the United Kingdom’s Trades Union Congress (TUC), has agreed to chair the Major Contractors’ Committee (MCC) and will join the JIB National Board as a Public Interest Member. He spent most of his working life at the TUC, joining in 1975 and retiring at the end of 2012. From 2014 to the middle of 2020 he was Chair of the Advisory and Conciliation Service (Acas).
Michael Wright, Product Development Manager at Aico has Aico, aico.co.uk
been voted on to the six-member Board of EDA Data Services. Aico Ltd is one of 25 Founder Members of EDATA, the UK’s new industry data pool, and Wright was chosen by representatives from the other Founder businesses. The EDA Data Services Board leads the digitalisation effort for the UK’s electrotechnical sector including the development of EDATA, the new ‘by the industry for the industry’ data pool.
