Industry News

The UK Electricity Products Supply Chain Council launched on 7 September. Led by BEAMA, with membership from across the energy and contracting sector and support from the government, this is an unprecedented platform for the supply chain of electrical equipment for the electricity transmission and distribution networks, and end-use energy products market.

Never has it been more urgent to ensure the resilience of the UK energy sector, and with manufacturing capacity for key products set to increase tenfold to meet demands for net zero delivery, we need collaboration and engagement with the new leadership in government to open pipelines of investment to secure the timely and cost-effective supply of equipment into the market.

Manufacturers of energy technologies are facing mounting geopolitical pressures on the supply of raw materials and componentry for the delivery of complex energy technologies essential to our net zero transition and for a move away from imported energy. There has been a global shift in demand and supply of key technologies and associated materials that ensure the security of our energy industry. The council will help tackle the immediate pressures on the supply of equipment, while looking to the future and how to ensure the longer-term investment needs of the supply chain.

With this comes great opportunity, and BEAMA members (manufacturers of energy technologies) say the level of investment needed is achievable, bringing opportunity to re-shore parts of the industry to the UK and create new trading relationships.

The newly formed council is an example of collaboration at its best and the UK energy and contracting sector coming together with government to alleviate pressures on the market.

One of the biggest barriers to investment sited by BEAMA is the availability of people and skills. Manufacturers and raw material suppliers need confidence in future orders and the UK market trajectory to invest in manufacturing capacity, people and places.

ECA has launched Leading the Charge, a digital series produced by Content with Purpose (CWP), exploring the electrotechnical sector’s pivotal role in realising the UK’s net zero ambitions.

The series of films, podcasts and articles highlights some of the most powerful net zero stories from across the sector, with support and input from industry heavyweights, including National Grid, Western Power, Megger, Actemium, Imtech and many more.

Industry leaders including ECA CEO Steve Bratt, BSRIA CEO Julia Evans, Electrical Safety First CEO Lesley Rudd and many others share their insights and advice to electrotechnical professionals who want to seize the opportunities presented by the transition to cleaner, more sustainable electricity.

Featuring interviews, podcasts, films, articles and a feature-length documentary, Leading the Charge will shine a light on the electrotechnical community and tell the stories of the organisations and professionals powering the transition to net zero.

The digital series will explore progress in areas such as renewables, energy storage, retrofitting, automation, electrical safety, policy and training. It provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and best practice, while raising awareness and inspiring the next generation.

Almost half (45%) of UK tradespeople want to do additional training but are unable to do so because of barriers like time and finances.

In line with the Festival of Learning that took place in September, an awareness event designed to celebrate lifelong learning, IronmongeryDirect surveyed trade workers from across the nation to reveal the appetite for professional development.

Half (50%) say that they enjoy learning new things, but one in eight (12%) have reached a stage where they rarely do so anymore.

This is largely due to the obstacles preventing them from pursuing further training, and the most cited barrier is a lack of awareness. Almost one in seven (13%) tradespeople say that they wouldn’t know where to look for development opportunities.

The money and time (both 12%) required for training courses is also discouraging, and sadly, so too is social pressure. One in 12 (8%) say that they don’t ask for more training as they worry what other people would think of them for making such a request.

Such barriers are significant, as less than a fifth (17%) of tradespeople say that their initial training was enough to set them up fully for their career, highlighting the importance of continuous learning.

The trades most and least likely to face barriers to further training are:

• Building surveyor (48%) • Carpenter (46%) • Plumber (42%) • Roofer (40%) • Bricklayer (36%) • Scaffolder (33%) • Window fabricator (33%) • Painter decorator (32%) • Plasterer (31%) • Electrician (30%) • Builder (28%) • Landscaper (27%) • Joiner (13%)

Worryingly, despite being the most eager to learn new things, young tradespeople are the most likely to face barriers. Gen Z (18-24s) and Millennial (25-34s) workers are the keenest to continue developing, but are the worst affected by each of the main obstacles, with time (21%) being the primary issue.

For Mesothelioma Awareness Day (26 September), an event aiming to bring more attention to the dangers of asbestos, ElectricalDirect surveyed trade workers from across the nation to see how often they encounter it, and the impact this has on their health.

The study found that 78% of electricians have come across asbestos – the fibre-like material once used for insulation – in their working lives. This has serious consequences, with 41% having had symptoms of an asbestos-related disease or knowing a colleague who has.

Tradespeople are amongst the most at-risk workers of asbestos-related diseases, and, across all industries, the majority are exposed to the potentially lethal material on a regular basis. Three in five (60%) find it every year, over a third (35%) say every month, and one in 12 (8%) come face to face with asbestos every day.

Tragically, one in 20 (5%) know someone who has died of such a condition, and every week 20 tradespeople deaths are attributed to asbestos.

Some trades are more likely to be exposed than others, and so should be particularly cautious.

It’s important that tradespeople know the warning signs of the diseases and consult a doctor straight away if any appear. Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi, the digital healthcare provider, says that asbestosis causes a range of symptoms, including a persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, pain in the chest or shoulder, tiredness, and swollen or ‘clubbed’ fingertips.

Help is at hand for electricians facing turbulent fuel costs thanks to a unique app from fuelGenie, which can be used to pre-plan journeys and find the best value fuel along the way.

The fuelGenie Petrol Station Finder app lists prices for every Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s fuel station across the UK, based on the most recent purchases by fuelGenie customers at each location.

Electricians can use this information to plan journeys and ensure the most cost-effective sites are used when vehicles are running low.

Alternatively, a driver can simply enter his or her location then find the best value fuel station nearby.

The app has been designed for use on both Apple and Android smartphones and PCs.

Skills for Security is continuing its national expansion by opening a major new training centre in North London.

Based in Watford, the new flagship training centre will be used to deliver both apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training to the fire and security sectors. The opening of the training centre in the North London region is the latest in Skills for Security’s expansion programme to deliver high quality apprenticeships and training, after its recent launch of a training centre in Glasgow.

The centre which has 4000sq ft of classrooms and workshop space is kitted out with the latest products and technologies to give apprentices the best start to their working lives. The workshops were designed to create a realistic working environment for the engineers of tomorrow.

David Scott, Managing Director, Skills for Security, says: “The opening of our latest centre in North London is a significant milestone for us. We are expanding nationwide to train apprentices from all areas of the country and meet the demand for developing the next generation of fire and security engineers.” “It is vital that we plug the skills shortage in our industry by investing in work-based training and development which will help businesses to grow and help the industry keep up with technological change. Increasing our centres and accessibility to deliver this training is a huge positive.”

Eight college students from under-represented groups have improved their career prospects thanks to a work experience programme by UK Power Networks.

The firm that keeps the lights on across London, South East and East of England has helped to boost the skills of students through its new two-week summer Powering Potential programme. Students were based across the company’s offices in Borehamwood, Croydon, Bidder Street, Crawley and Colchester.

One objective of the programme with STEM Learning was to research a 20-page report about how UK Power Networks responded to the unprecedented February storms and prepare a poster. Over the course of the two weeks the students met with employees from key business areas to find out how teams respond to a significant weather event including customer services, finance and innovation. Alongside this, students were able to visit field staff at work and participate in employability workshops.

Liz Nash, Workforce Development and Partnership Lead, comments: “Two pillars of our company’s vision are to be a respected and trusted corporate citizen, and an employer of choice. A big part of those aspirations is to ensure that we are an accessible, inclusive employer and support the communities we serve.

“We aim to level the playing field for all, irrespective of where people are born. UK Power Networks’ aim is to support under-represented groups, with a particular focus on more rural communities that often get overlooked.”

As over two-thirds of female employees feel they deserve more recognition, how can more be done in the electrical industry to meet female employees’ recognition needs?

According to a recent study, female employees are suffering from a ‘praise penalty’ at work. Female employees are 34% more likely than their male counterparts to experience mental health issues, such as stress or burnout, due to not having their efforts at work sufficiently acknowledged. Some 71% of female workers feel underappreciated.

The Employee Recognition Survey – conducted by virtual team building and virtual escape room specialist Wildgoose – surveyed employees from 133 different UK companies. It asked them whether they receive enough praise and appreciation in the workplace, how they would react to a lack of recognition and how companies could better meet their ‘recognition needs’.

Just 1% of UK skilled trade professionals are female according to the ONS. Despite this imbalance, societal pushes to address it are gradually taking effect – a report by GoCompare found there has been a 366% increase in the number of females enrolling in trade-focused apprenticeships over the last five years.

However, employers must focus on retention as much as recruitment, with almost half (47%) of construction workers citing the male-dominated culture as a reason why so many women leave the industry. For the female employees already in skilled trade professions and with a new wave of female talent entering, it’s vital for companies to ensure their approach to employee recognition includes all members of the workforce.

Data from the Employee Recognition Survey emphasises the importance of regular meetings and one-to-one time for female employees: 57% want private recognition through regular, in-person meetings with their managers. 54% would like respect from colleagues, alongside regular feedback. Female employees value these things more than receiving a higher salary than the industry standard – which was cited by 43% of female respondents.

Preparing for retirement can be challenging, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Research by IronmongeryDirect found that one in eight (13%) tradespeople approaching retirement age (55-64) don’t have any financial preparations for retirement.

IronmongeryDirect partnered with Fabian Taylor, Senior Associate and Chartered Financial Planner in Nelsons’ wealth management team, and George Stainton, Senior Wealth Manager at Hoxton Capital Management, to reveal helpful tips for electricians on how to prepare for retirement.

While it’s recommended to begin planning for retirement as soon as possible, IronmongeryDirect’s research found that more than one in 10 (13%) tradespeople approaching retirement age don’t have a financial plan in place. Thankfully, it’s never too late to make a start.

While it’s true that you can start saving at any point during your career, it’s sensible to begin putting aside money for retirement as early as possible. Many young people have the advantage of being able to use workplace pension schemes, but for those who opt out, are ineligible, or are planning on saving additional funds, starting early has major benefits.

For tradespeople who work on an employed basis, they should look to enrol in their workplace pension scheme, if they have not already. This means that they will be saving throughout their career, with additional top-ups from their employer, and while tradies should still aim to set up a private pension, a workplace scheme provides a safety net in the meantime.

Those working on a self-employed basis, unfortunately, do not have the same auto-enrolment to a workplace pension scheme that employed people do, so therefore it’s important that you make your own preparations and plan ahead for your retirement.

Regardless of your age, it’s always best to prepare for retirement in advance. By ensuring that you’re making the most of workplace pensions where available, as well as saving privately, you can place yourself in the best position to enjoy retirement in comfort.

Toolstation has launched its latest catalogue in stores and online, offering a wide array of new products, brands, and offers at amazing value, aiming to help customers save money on trade-quality products during a challenging period of rising costs.

Online, on the app and in store, Toolstation will be supporting customers by showcasing its Everyday Great Value range, which launched in August. The range aims to highlight the best value products currently on the market across various trade and DIY sectors, from plumbing fittings, electrical accessories, painting and decorating products, construction gear and more, making sure no customer is left behind.

The value range will play an important role over autumn and winter, as customers face a challenging few months of rising costs, including energy prices. As the preparation for colder days and darker evenings begins, the catalogue intends to help Toolstation customers find the necessary products to help cut down energy costs.

Carl Kammerling International, the home of C.K Tools, has announced Paul Pugh as its new Head of Marketing. Paul comes with a wealth of UK and international experience, including 23 years in the power tools sector and as a partner in an electrical contracting business.

ESP has welcomed Stuart Finlayson to the team as the new Area Sales Manager covering Scotland. Stuart joins ESP with more than 11 years of sales experience, having worked with a number of leading brands, including Jaguar, Land Rover and DFS. He will be bringing his knowledge and sales expertise to his new position.