INDUSTRY NEWS AICO PEDALS THE BORDERS FOR LINGEN DAVIES CANCER FUND Aico has supported Adrenaline Sporting Events’ inaugural Pedal the Borders cycling event, in aid of Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. On Sunday 25 July, 100 riders departed from Aico’s Oswestry headquarters at 08:30am to take on the challenge of cycling 100km, from the Shropshire countryside into the Welsh hills. Beginning and ending at Aico, the ride took in miles of stunning local scenery, including the Tanat Valley and Lake Vyrnwy, with some challenging aspects. The first riders arrived back at Aico before noon, with the final riders completing the cycle around 3pm. Upon arrival back at Aico, cyclists enjoyed some well-deserved refreshments and were awarded an attractive finishing medal for their accomplishment. Providing more than just spectacular views, the route proved to be a real challenge for both cyclists and their bikes, but St John’s Ambulance crews were on hand to support those that needed it. Aico says it was delighted to be able to host and support this event, with 21 Aico colleagues from across the UK taking part in the ride, and more colleagues volunteering to help coordinate the event. Aico colleagues raised a fantastic £4,661 for Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. Keen cyclist Michael Wright, Product Development Manager for Aico, followed a challenging training schedule to prepare for Pedal the Borders, including hilly cycles around Glyn Ceiriog, as well as flatter routes towards Ruyton-XI-Towns to work on speed. Aico, aico.co.uk
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE AMONG TRADESPEOPLE AT HIGHEST SINCE JULY 2018 Business confidence among UK tradespeople is now at its highest level since July 2018, according to research released by Screwfix. Screwfix’s Business Confidence Index includes a range of measures, and almost all of them rose in July, as part of the company’s regular survey of the trade. Measures which rose include the percentage of tradespeople that are busier than expected, those preparing more quotes than 12 months ago, and those who say business activity is better than last year. The Business Confidence index has risen to +35 from +33 in May and +5 in January. This measure is now at its highest level since July 2018. The only measure not to rise in June 2021 was the proportion who think their business activity will improve in the next 12 months, although more still think it will improve in the next year than believe it will get worse. Reported workloads remain high with 86% of the trade now working, with more work in the pipeline. The survey is the first in a regular series of insights about the trade from Screwfix. Screwfix, screwfix.com
ECS CHECK WELCOMES 750TH REGISTRATION
‘LAST CHANCE TO SAVE OURSELVES FROM CLIMATE CRISIS’ SAYS ECA Electrotechnical and engineering services body, ECA, calls for long-term thinking, delivery plans and concrete action from government in response to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The recently published landmark report warns that within the next 20 years, global temperatures are likely to rise 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, making heatwaves, flooding and droughts more common and extreme. The report has been labelled a ‘Code Red for humanity’. ECA has produced extensive guidance to help electrotechnical businesses to make a ‘Green Pivot’ and focus on net zero carbon skills and training. ECA urges its nearly 3,000 member businesses in the electrical and engineering services sector to invest in their workforces and enable training and upskilling that will allow the installation, operation and maintenance of an array of low- to no-carbon technologies.
Braid Mechanical and Electrical, a member of the Joint Industry Board (JIB), has become the 750th organisation to register for ECS Check. Based in Ballymena, Braid Mechanical and Electrical has been providing mechanical and electrical services to industrial and business customers for over 85 years and is one of Northern Ireland’s longest running electrical contracting businesses. Launched in early 2020, ECS Check provides a free-to-access digital platform that enables the electrotechnical industry to conduct audits to verify all electrotechnical personnel on site throughout the supply chain. Following approval as a pilot that meets the Licence to Practise (LtP) requirements on government public sector construction contracts in Northern Ireland, ECS Check is recognised by the Northern Ireland Government as meeting procurement guidance note 01-16. ECS Check continues to help electrical contractors meet their LtP requirements free of charge. Some of Northern Ireland’s most significant public bodies have already signed up for ECS Check, including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Translink, NI Water, Belfast and Western Health and Social Care Trust. JIB, jib.org.uk
ECA, eca.co.uk
6 | September 2021
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26/08/2021 10:26
