INDUSTRY NEWS ECA URGES GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE EV CHARGER POINT ‘POSTCODE LOTTERY’ The ECA is calling on the government and local authorities in Britain to urgently address the postcode lottery of public charging points, and for urgent investment in a nationwide charge point network to keep pace with the growing number of electric vehicles on our roads. Annual car sales data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show more electric cars were registered in 2021 than in the previous five years combined. Meanwhile, data gathered by ECA via a Freedom of Information request in late 2021 revealed over half (52%) of local authorities in the UK said electric vehicle charge points (EVCPs) are prohibitively expensive to install, and almost two thirds (66%) of local authorities do not have any plans to roll out EVCPs at all. While some local authorities in London and the South East have invested heavily in EVCP infrastructure, many others across the country, including Wales and the North, do not have enough EVCPs to support the booming EV industry. ECA CEO Steve Bratt says: “Electric vehicles continue to pull ahead as the front runner for the future of UK transport, as we make the journey to net zero carbon. The electrotechnical industry has the people with the skills to make the transition to net zero a reality, but that can’t happen without financial backing from the government.” ECA, eca.co.uk
JTL LAUNCHES NEW ANIMATION TO SHOWCASE THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
HOUSING SAFETY AND WELLBEING TASKFORCE LAUNCHED BY AICO Aico has announced the official launch of the Housing Safety & Wellbeing Taskforce, which took place online on 13 January 2022. The Housing Safety & Wellbeing Taskforce will bring together partners from the public, private, and charitable sector across all nations of the UK to discuss the key issues involved in creating safer homes and making recommendations for action. The Taskforce framework will enable all involved to work together collaboratively, and the organisation will be strictly non-commercial and non-partisan, committed to promoting a holistic approach to housing safety and resident wellbeing. There will be six strands to the work of the Taskforce, each with their own Ambassador to lead the discussions and co-ordinate activity: Health & Wellbeing, Net Zero & Decarbonisation, Resident Engagement, Housing Quality, Fire & Carbon Monoxide Safety, and Fuel Poverty. At the launch event, the Housing Safety & Wellbeing Taskforce unveiled a study from CEBR (Centre for Economics & Business Research) which combines a statistical analysis of fire incidence across the UK, a summary of the relevant legislation, and a holistic examination of the human and economic impact of fire, based on official data and a specially commissioned YouGov survey. The study demonstrates that the rate of reduction in fire incidents, running in tandem with new regulations, has slowed in recent years. With estimated annual costs of residential fires now exceeding £1billion, the research then goes on to examine in detail the potential impact and cost savings associated with tighter restrictions.
JTL has recently launched a brand new animation to showcase the importance of Functional Skills – a set of capabilities that are designed to enable learners to develop confidence and fluency in maths and English. JTL’s forward-thinking animation demonstrates what could go wrong when an apprentice does not obtain their Functional Skills qualification. Functional Skills is an essential part of every apprenticeship program for learners who do not have GCSE Grade 4, as without prior achievement of maths and English qualifications, apprentices are unable to sit their End Point Assessment. The new animation showcases a range of scenarios that could occur when an apprentice fails to gain the relevant knowledge from the course; the consequences
could result in anything from incorrect job quotations to serious personal injuries. In order to complete the Functional Skills qualification, employers need to allow their apprentices time away from work to access the remote learning plan, which focuses on practicality. The animation focuses on the importance of employers supporting learners to complete the qualification. It is recommended that apprentices complete their Functional Skills in year one of a four-year apprenticeship as the skills gained impact positively on future assessments and real-life work situations, which will in turn meet the needs of their employer. JTL Training, jtltraining.com
Aico, aico.co.uk
8 | February 2022
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