13 minute read
Industry News
from ECN May 2021
TRADESPEOPLE LOSING MORE THAN £1,000 PER YEAR FROM WITHHELD PAYMENTS
UK tradespeople are seeing over £1,000 of payments per year withheld by customers following a completed job.
The research, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, found that an average £1,062 is owed to tradies across the UK. A third (33%) said they were waiting for over £1,000 from customers for completed jobs, whilst nearly one in 10 (7%) are owed over £3,000.
Nearly two thirds (61%) of tradespeople have had payments withheld by customers, which occurs twice per year on average. More than one in 10 (12%) however, experience withheld payments more than five times a year.
Only 6% of tradespeople say that the payment issues are resolved within a week, whilst more than one in five (22%) have had to wait more than a month to be paid for a job.
Trades most likely to have payments withheld (times per year):
• Plumber: 2.6 • Electrician: 2.4 • Builder: 2.3 • Bricklayer: 2.2 • Carpenter: 1.9 • Surveyor: 1.8 • Joiner: 1.7 • Painter and decorator: 1.6 • Plasterer: 1.3 • Landscaper: 1.2
Female tradies were found to receive payment quicker than their male counterparts, experiencing higher rates of payment within a week (8% vs 4%) and within a fortnight (34% vs 20%). However, women were also found to be owed higher sums of money, with an average of £1,168 outstanding, compared to £972 for men.
IronmongeryDirect, ironmongerydirect.co.uk
TESP CALLS FOR INDUSTRY MENTORS
The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) is calling for people from all corners of the electrotechnical industry to donate just 45 minutes of their time to mentor a young person.
So far, The Youth Group has supported over 1.7 million young people across all sectors of UK industry. Under a new partnership, TESP is now working with The Youth Group to build a network of mentors with electrotechnical experience to inspire and inform young people about electrical opportunities.
The minimum commitment is to support just one 45 minute online mentoring session with a young person. If you choose to continue as a mentor, you can speak to a variety of different job seekers and share your experiences and insights, or work with one individual and support them on their journey to develop and get a job.
Ruth Devine, Chair of TESP, adds: “We can’t wait to start working with The Youth Group and calling our industry experts to action. The electrical industry presents fantastic opportunities in areas such as new technologies and low carbon solutions, so we’re confident our mentors will be able to provide informative and inspirational advice to young people.” The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership, the-esp.org.uk
myenergi has launched a national campaign to drive sustainable change. #TheGreenReset, which takes place between 22 April-22 May, challenges UK householders to change their wasteful behaviours for environmentally friendly alternatives throughout the duration of the campaign.
From going plastic free or cutting down on e-commerce purchases, to planting vegetables in your back garden, the initiative demonstrates just how simple it can be to make a positive difference.
Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, comments: “Our message is simple – while it may not be possible to tackle climate change single-handedly, if everyone made a few small changes, it would result in a huge global difference. Working together and sharing best practice really is key to achieving a kinder, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Running in parallel to the campaign, myenergi will host a competition to win a selection of eco-friendly smart home tech gadgets. To enter, simply share your eco changes on social media, tag myenergi and encourage your followers to join the movement. A winner will be chosen at random and notified on the final day of the campaign. myenergi, myenergi.com
£1M BOOST FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE SOUTH EAST
Nearly £1m of smart investment in the South East’s electricity network is set to pave the way for new generators of renewable energy to connect to the grid.
UK Power Networks is rolling out new ‘load blinding relays’ across Kent, Surrey and Sussex to unlock capacity for new connections. The £932,000 project will see the devices installed on 80 transformers across 35 sites, from now until 2024.
In total, the new protection relay technology will release 469 Mega Volt Amperes (MVA) –unlocking enough capacity to install a rooftop solar panel on 127,445 houses. That’s the equivalent of connecting a new solar panel on every house in a town the size of Eastbourne, East Sussex. Installing the new smart devices is also significantly cheaper than replacing existing equipment or building new, and the South East was chosen because it already hosts many wind and solar farms.
Director of Asset Management Barry Hatton says: “We’re excited about this programme because it shows just how far we can go if we think a bit differently and re-imagine what’s possible on our network. Strategic, smart, specific investment like this, is exactly how we plan to help enable net zero by 2050.” UK Power Networks, ukpowernetworks.co.uk
STUDY REVEALS A 366% INCREASE IN FEMALES BECOMING TRADESWOMEN IN THE UK
A new study by GoCompare Van has found a growing increase in the number of females taking on ‘trade jobs’ in the UK – a space usually dominated by males.
The study which analysed the biggest trade jobs women are stepping into identified a rise in the number of women learning the trade younger. Results found there has been a 366% increase in young females taking on apprenticeships in construction and engineering in the past five years.
For course starters in 2019/20, there were 10,170 females in construction and a further 45,010 enrolling in engineering. However, there’s still a huge difference in pay across males and females in the construction and trade industry.
Leading the trade revolution for women are painters and decorators, in second place are plumbers, and completing the top three are electricians, with 11.55% of tradeswomen pursuing careers as ‘sparkies’.
Women picking up the tools might be rising, but their pay still falls behind their male counterparts. The most notable difference is in the skilled building and construction trade. While male workers here can expect to take home a median salary of £29,011 a year, women in the sector can only expect to earn £21,840, a whole £7,171 less. GoCompare, gocompare.com
EDA BUSINESSES DONATE £45,121 TO THE EIC
The generosity of Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) Members and Affiliated Members is behind a £45,121 donation to the Electrical Industries Charity. The EDA offered Members and Affiliated Members a one-time 10% refund on their 2020 membership fee, and the chance to donate it to the Charity.
Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA, explains how the fundraising initiative came about: “In 2020 our EDA events calendar went on hold and, although the Association was extremely busy working to support EDA businesses through the pandemic, the Board of Management felt that we could, as a one-time gesture, offer a 10% refund on the EDA annual subscription, giving members the opportunity to donate that refund to the Charity. We were delighted when almost all members chose to do this.”
Tessa Ogle, Managing Director/CEO at the Electrical Industries Charity says: “This is an incredibly generous donation by the EDA’s Members and Affiliated Members, for which we could not be more grateful. It made a big difference to the Charity’s finances that had been so adversely affected by COVID. We couldn’t do what we do without you.” EDA, eda.org.uk
NEW ELECTRICAL GAME LAUNCHED BY NET
A new game has been launched by National Electrotechnical Training (NET) to promote the electrical industry and help apprentices practise their skills.
Designed for complete beginners and those already in the industry, ‘Amped Up’ has two levels: beginners can work through a series of tasks to give them a taste of the industry, whilst the apprentice level tests apprentices’ skills and knowledge in areas such as safe isolation, protective device selection, Ohm’s law and R1 + R2 testing.
Friendly competition is introduced by way of a leaderboard where users can compare scores with their peers. At the end of the game, beginners are directed to the Electrical Careers website for more information on the industry. Apprentices are linked across to the NET website to find out more about the AM2S assessment they’ll need to complete at the end of their apprenticeship.
“Through our charitable work NET aims to promote electrical careers and the industry in general,” says Carolyn Mason, NET Chief Executive. “For schools and young people, the game provides a fun look at just some of the tasks carried out by an electrician. For apprentices, it’s a light-hearted but educational way of practising some key tasks.” National Electrotechnical Training, netservices.org.uk
The Electrical Safety Roundtable’s first ever Virtual Conference, taking place on Wednesday 12 May between 09.30-16.00, will be ‘Shining a Spotlight on the Initiatives Impacting Electrical Safety in Homes and Workplaces’.
This free to attend online conference, sponsored by Megger and NAPIT, will share key electrical industry updates from a range of influential speakers addressing the steps being taken within the industry and by the government to enhance the awareness of electrical safety for users, installers and the public.
Chris Bielby, Chair of the Electrical Safety Roundtable, says: “I would urge anyone with an interest in electrical safety, and particularly professionals in this field, to attend to get a full and thorough picture of the current work ongoing within the industry to enhance electrical safety standards. It’s sure to be a very informative and interesting day. I’d like to thank our conference sponsors, Megger and NAPIT for enabling us to host this free to attend event so as many participants as possible can join us.” Electrical Safety Roundtable, electricalsafetyroundtable.co.uk
ARE YOU UP FOR A CHALLENGE?
It’s time to sign up your team to compete in the Electrical Industries Charity Race Across Europe, from 3rd May – 18th June 2021. It needs you and four industry colleagues to tackle the biggest sector step challenge ever! You’ll be pitted against other companies in a race to reach seven check points across the continent. Cycle, swim, walk or run and clock up miles in a bid to be on the podium when time runs out…
It’s up to your team how you divide and conquer the miles between checkpoints but as soon as you reach each checkpoint you need to clock in and record the time of your leg. Remember, as soon as you reach the check point and you have clocked in you can start heading towards your next location!
The Race Across Europe will take you from London to Paris, then to Zurich, Munich and the Marienplatz, then Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam and back to London. A total of 1606 miles are to be completed over the duration of the challenge by each team.
For full details or to sign up, please visit the EIC website. Electrical Industries Charity, electricalcharity.org
EV DRIVERS SEEK KEY REFORMS TO IMPROVE CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC EV CHARGING
Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England has revealed the results of its survey which invited electric vehicle drivers to share their views about their experience with public chargepoints, in response to the UK Government’s consultation on the ‘Consumer Experience at Public Electric Vehicle Chargepoints’.
Over 1,000 drivers participated in the survey in England, who highlighted widespread support for the rollout of contactless credit and debit card payments, being able to use one charge card or app across multiple charging network operators, and higher levels of reliability. The survey also highlighted the importance of the public charging network even to those with off-street parking, with 92% of electric vehicle drivers relying on the public charging network at least once a month.
Gill Nowell, media spokesperson and a Director at EVA England comments: “We recognise that the pace of chargepoint deployment is increasing and that the infrastructure going in the ground today is greatly improved from that which was being installed even five years ago. However, we encourage Government to intervene now in order to ensure that all charging infrastructure is reliable, safe and user-friendly, across all driver groups.” Electric Vehicle Association England, evaengland.org.uk
When it comes to EV charging, it pays to work with the experts.
MOVERS & SHAKERS…
Fire and life safety systems manufacturer, Advanced, has appointed Hanif Ghodawala as new business development manager for its emergency lighting division. In his new role, Hanif will draw on more than 20 years’ experience working for high-profile fire detection and emergency lighting manufacturers and distributors to grow awareness and understanding of Advanced’s emergency lighting range. He will place particular focus on the LuxIntelligent and EasySafe solutions and how they make compliance with BS 5266 easy.
Ledvance UK has announced that Nelo Neves will be taking the reins as Head of Trade Sales in the UK and Ireland. He takes over from Steve Stark who is commencing his retirement following an impressive 36 years at Osram and Ledvance. Nelo has been Managing Director for Ledvance South Africa since 2018 at the company’s Johannesburg office. Following a technical education in the UK he started his lighting career in an export role, progressing to Head of Sales. Across his career he has worked in Spain, Holland, Sweden, and across the African continent. He will be based at the Ledvance UK offices in Warrington.
Ovia has recently appointed a new member to the sales team. Damian Worton joins as Area Sales Manager for the South East/South Central region. He has spent his entire career working within the electrical industry and brings to Ovia 23 years’ sales and management experience, having spent time working with two leading lighting manufacturers and three major electrical wholesalers.
RIELLO UPS HELPS HOSPICE HIT HEIGHTS WITH BALLOON FUNDRAISER
Riello UPS is helping a hospice hit new heights by supporting its new hot air balloon-related fundraising campaign.
The power protection specialist is one of an exclusive number of corporate supporters for Nightingale House’s ‘Build a Balloon’ initiative, which will play a central role in the Wrexham-based hospice’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
As an alternative way of generating much-needed income, the charity came up with the idea of creating a hot air balloon where businesses and local people could sponsor a panel. The balloon will take to the skies to mark several of Nightingale House’s fundraising activities over the coming months.
Sarah Povey, Community and Events Fundraiser for Nightingale House, says: “Our truly unique ‘Build a Balloon’ campaign was put together to help raise crucial funds which enable us to provide care for the most vulnerable people in our community. We are asking members of the public to sponsor a panel on our hot air balloon, so they can be part of something special.
“The campaign also allows corporate partners to get involved by sponsoring their own panel on our Nightingale House balloon which will feature their company logo.” Riello UPS, riello-ups.co.uk
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