CABLEtalk June/July 2019

June/July 2019 £4.50

Entries for the SELECT Awards 2019 are open – put your name forward!

Pages 14&15

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Members flock to our Toolbox Talks

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Len Bunton delivers an update on the industry

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Sign up for essential management training

CONTENTS JUNE/JULY 2019 OPINION

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Managing Director Alan Wilson asks for ‘four Ps’ of improvement

NEWS

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Joint statement with NICEIC, plus all the latest events and updates

FEATURES

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Len Bunton delivers his verdict on the current state of the industry

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Newell McGuiness reveals what the UK can expect from the ECS An important message in the drive to improve industry safety

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Member firm creates dedicated training room for its apprentices

FOCUS

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MEMBER PROFILE

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Keith Miller and Keith Groom celebrate AKD’s 30th birthday

Why the UK Government’s Good Work Plan is good for business Is your business ready for Brexit?

Here’s what you should do next Rudi Klein gives an update about Building Information Modelling Could underfloor heating be the cost-effective domestic solution?

TRAINING

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COVER STORY

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Your chance to play a starring role in the SELECT Awards 2019

TESSA course helps non-technical staff improve their on-site safety SELECT/Napier programme gives advice on being a better manager

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

44 TOOLBOX TALKS

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Our popular 12-stop event hits the road across Scotland

The latest innovations and musthave gadgets to hit the shelves

DIARY

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Meet Yvonne Wilson, plan ahead and tackle our prize wordsearch CABLEtalk

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COMMENT

Time to make a meaningful impact

L

aunching its enquiry into the Scottish construction sector earlier this year, Holyrood’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee said it wanted to understand the industry’s challenges “to ensure it realises its full potential”. It is a valuable exercise, since the construction business touches every part of the Scottish economy, generating £21.4 billion per year, employing 170,000 people – or 10% of all Scottish jobs – and sustaining 45,000 businesses.

When giving our evidence to the committee, we suggested that any programme for improvement should focus on four Ps: Procurement, Payment, Professionalism and Policing. As well as a requirement for government to take proactive action, there always remains the challenge of effective implementation and review.

Procurement

At the root of most of the contentious areas in construction is the business model for procurement, where practices and procedures have not fundamentally changed over many years.

In usual circumstances, a main contractor appointed to deliver a contract proceeds to sub-let the works to myriad sub-contractors who may then further sub-sub-contract. There is very little, if any, engagement with sub-contractors on issues such as design or risk before the work starts which often leads to a spiral

of issues, including challenges over costs for extras and extensions of time etc.

This highly fragmented and costly delivery process, driven by the lowest price and the most onerous of contract conditions, creates a race to the bottom that places an intolerable burden on businesses who often don’t appreciate how exposed they are. Often this race is won by businesses that spend little time and capital in investing in up-skilling their workforce or recruiting and training the workforce of the future.

The Scottish Government has made some sterling efforts to address some of the issues, but many others still require to be addressed including: ●●Avoiding the use of multiple schemes of pre-qualification ●●Requiring contracting authorities to consider if the work could be done by SMEs or SME joint ventures ●●Encouraging early involvement of key specialist contractors to inform the design and planning process ●●Insisting on approval of sub-contract conditions to stop Tier 1 contractors transferring risk along the supply chain.

Above all, traditional procurement systems are no longer fit for purpose.

We need to be radical and bring in more innovative systems, like insurance-backed alliancing.

Research from 10 years ago suggested that every £1 spent on construction created up to £5 in GDP growth.

We believe the economic impact could be greater if we were able to eradicate the endemic process waste in delivery systems. For example, failure to engage the

supply chain early enough to inform design decisions means construction costs are increased to reflect changes to designs to make them fit for manufacture.

Payment

The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires contracting authorities with an annual spend of more than £5 million to include strategies for 30-day payment to sub- and sub-sub-contractors.

However, our surveys show that, in 2016, 45% of reporting authorities were non-compliant. New figures will be out soon, but in order for this objective to be fully realised, the government should legislate to mandate 30-day payments.

Project Bank Accounts are the most effective way of ensuring that cash is disbursed to the supply chain without delay and we were delighted when the Scottish Government reduced this to £2 million. We are keen to work with government to see how we can promote the use of PBAs more widely.

Professionalism

We believe the Scottish Government should have the courage of convictions over its own Approved Certifier of Construction scheme and mandate it for all directly funded work, to ensure that only properly qualified people carry out public sector work. Recognising and legislating on our campaign to introduce Protection of Title would also raise the bar of electricians’ status across Scotland.

Policing

We must invest more resource in ensuring compliance with regulation and best practice. We have urged the Scottish Government to create a Office of Public Procurement Regulator, who could challenge poor practices and, if necessary, impose penalties on regular offenders.

We need to move our sector towards the value systems in other sector supply chains – close collaboration, payment security and shared risk and reward, effective communication and a shared focus on the product. Only then will construction take its rightful place in 21st century business.

Alan Wilson Managing Director, SELECT CABLEtalk

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NEWS REGULATION

CABLEtalk MANAGING EDITOR Alan Wilson alan.wilson@select.org.uk PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Natalie Burke natalie.burke@select.org.uk EDITOR Iain Mason iain@connectcommunications.co.uk 0141 560 3022 PUBLISHER Connect Publications DESIGN & PRODUCTION Ryan Swinney ryan@connectcommunications.co.uk ADVERTISING David Hughes davidh@connectcommunications.co.uk 0131 561 0022 Jane Deane jane@connectcommunications.co.uk 0131 561 0020

Politicians back our campaign MPs and MSPs from across the political divide showed their support for our regulation campaign during the recent party conference season.

The SELECT team was out in force at the SNP spring conference in Edinburgh on 27-28 April and also spread the message at the Scottish Conservative and Unionist get-together in Aberdeen on 3-4 May. Politicians discussed the benefits of regulation with our team, added their names to our Wall of Support and posed with selfie boards to demonstrate their backing.

CABLEtalk is produced by Connect Publications on behalf of SELECT

Connect Publications Studio 2001, Mile End 12 Seedhill Road Paisley PA1 1JS Tel: 0141 561 0300

Michelle Ballantyne MSP

Diane Hales and Jackson Carlaw MSP

The Walled Garden Bush Estate Midlothian EH26 0SB Tel: 0131 445 5577 CABLEtalk is the official magazine of SELECT and is distributed free to qualifying readers.

ISSN 1365-3288 SELECT is the trading style of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland. The SELECT logo is a registered Collective Mark.

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Philippa Whitford MP

Gillian Martin MSP

Statement of intent SELECT and NICEIC issue joint message in support of campaign to regulate electricians

David Mundell MP and SELECT’s Eric Rae and Yvonne Wilson

Graeme Simpson MSP

Stewart Stevenson MSP with SELECT President Kevin Griffin

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ELECT and the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) have issued a joint statement supporting new regulations to help both consumers and qualified electricians.

The long-running campaign for recognition of electricians as a profession has been endorsed by Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, and NICEIC MD Kevan Parker.

The joint statement says that new regulations, such as Protection of Title, will provide an important step forward in protecting the safety of those who use an electrician.

It says the move “will give assurance that the business undertaking any work is assessed as competent and only uses electricians who are suitably qualified and competent”.

Furthermore, it will “enhance the profession itself as it will ensure that only those who can prove that they have appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience are accorded the respect that is due to such an important and safety critical profession”.

Alan said: “As well as introducing new regulations, we recognise that consumers contract with businesses and it is that which gives consumers safeguards such as access to complaints processes and warranty mechanisms.

“Therefore, there needs to be a

“We look forward to working with those across the industry and others with an interest in this important area of safety” searchable database for consumers to allow them to find suitable electrical businesses which employ competent qualified electricians. This also needs to be supported by ongoing campaigns to raise awareness.”

Kevan Parker (pictured below) said: “Both NICEIC and SELECT are committed to improving consumer safety and protection.

“We look forward to working with those across the industry and others with an interest in this important area of safety to deliver what is best for consumers without adding additional burden to businesses and individuals in the industry.”

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NEWS SELECT

BS 5839-6 is on agenda at 2019 AGM As CABLEtalk went to press, SELECT was preparing to mark another successful year of work on behalf of Members at its 107th AGM. The meeting at the Grange Manor Hotel in Grangemouth on 5 June is also due to feature a special technical update presented by Dave Forrester, Head of Technical Services.

This presentation will focus on the new Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Dwellings regulations, focusing on an amendment to BS 5839-6 that brings changes to standards for fire detection and fire alarm systems.

In Scotland, further changes are coming due to the extension of the tolerable standard and updated guidance on the repairing standard that will see the introduction of enhanced fire safety requirements across Scotland’s housing stock.

Alan Wilson, SELECT Managing Director, said: “The past year has been an eventful time for the organisation and we have stepped up our efforts across a number of fronts, maintaining and improving the profile of companies and individuals within the industry.

“We’re particularly pleased to have been able to cope with record demand on our training offering, especially for our BS 7671 (18th Edition) courses.

“We are also encouraged with the steady progress of our campaign for recognition of the profession of electrician which is gaining significant momentum and is attracting the attention of decision makers at the highest levels.”

Dave Forrester will speak at the AGM

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Demand for courses booms at SELECT’s new dedicated Training department

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he dedicated Training department launched last year by SELECT has undergone a dramatic expansion in demand.

Driven by changes to BS 7671 (18th Edition) of the Wiring Regulations, which came into force on 1 January this year, the department has run as many courses in the first quarter of 2019 as it did for the whole of 2018.

In the first three months of 2019, SELECT Training ran 68 BS 7671 courses across Scotland involving 809 delegates.

It is now planning at least another 40

SDP deal will offer tender support

courses for the second quarter which will bring the new regulations to another 600 electrical professionals.

Jenny Cryans, who runs the new Training department, said: “The demand from our members has been exceptional and the courses that we have been running have attracted very positive feedback.

“The changes in the regulations have been a major factor in the increase in demand but we are heavily involved in other courses as well.”

As revealed in previous editions of CABLEtalk, well as the popular BS 7671 courses, the department

SELECT recently became the first trade association to become a member of the Supplier Development Programme (SDP).

The publicly-funded partnership is led by local

authorities and works in conjunction with Scottish Government and other public bodies to offer important tendering support, helping SMEs improve their efficiency,

‘Extra 15,000 skilled electricians needed’ has introduced a range of short courses in collaboration with New College Lanarkshire to cover aspects of fire and security.

It is also working in partnership with Training Plus – which specialises in core health and safety elements such as emergency first aid at work and manual handling – to deliver courses in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Future subjects will include working at height and asbestos awareness.

Jenny added: “Changes in technology are also driving demand in areas such as electric vehicle charging, smart controls, energy storage systems and energy efficiency in general.”

In conjunction with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), SELECT’s Training team has also just launched The Electrical Site Safety Assessment (TESSA), a new SQA-accredited course aimed at non-technical staff who may work at construction sites.

A new report estimates that between 12,500 and 15,000 additional skilled electricians will be needed across the UK over the next five years to accommodate expected growth.

Emerging technologies such as smart technology, electric vehicles and Wi-Fi are expected to be major drivers for demand, along with changes in regulations in areas such as energy efficiency and fire safety.

Commissioned by The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) and co-funded by National Electrotechnical Training (NET), the report is the first to provide an in-depth analysis of electrotechnical skills needs in over 10 years.

It confirmed that apprenticeships

are still highly rated and there is clear potential for a return on investment for those who recruit trainees.

However, it says the number of apprentices currently recruited each year is insufficient to meet projected demands, with candidates’ attitudes being one barrier to recruitment.

It says improved industry engagement with colleges and schools is required, along with further development of alternative routes into the industry for college leavers, career changers and older age groups.

It also reveals that around 15% of the workforce in England and Wales is under 25, compared with 24% in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Read the report at the-esp.org.uk

New TESSA course – Page 40 Management training – Pages 41-43

sustainability and market potential.

The new partnership means SELECT Members will be able to join more than 13,500 registered businesses in accessing a full calendar of

free events and enjoy bespoke training at SELECT’s offices.

Gillian Cameron, SDP Programme Manager, said: “The SDP will provide an essential support mechanism for Members through our

existing free face-to-face workshops and webinars.

“We will also work with SELECT to provide tendering training to SMEs in electrical contracting to maximise their procurement knowledge.”

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT said: “We are excited to see how the SDP will help Members improve their opportunities in bidding for, and winning, public sector work.”

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NEWS ROUND-UP

SEC Group publishes damming results of payment survey

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cottish SMEs are still suffering from poor payment performance and the latest Scottish Government initiatives have not yet had a major impact, according to a new survey by the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group Scotland.

The latest poll of construction engineering firms also found a small variation on payment performance between public sector and private sector, with firms backing the idea of a construction regulator to help improve the situation.

During the course of last year, SEC Group Scotland carried out an extensive survey on payment practices in Scottish construction, with the overwhelming majority of respondents being SMEs. Firms were asked to indicate whether there were differences in payment performance in both public and private sector construction, with the headline results as follows: More than 60% of public bodies amend the payment provisions in the standard forms of construction contract, which often involves extending the payment cycles. The figure for the private sector was 69%. Only 28% of firms reported that they were paid by public bodies within 30 days. For the private sector the figure was 24%.

60%

OF PUBLIC BODIES AMEND THE PAYMENT PROVISIONS IN THE STANDARD FORMS OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

69% of private sector do same

Almost 47% of firms working for public bodies said 10% of payments were late Where firms were acting as subcontractors on public sector works, more than 85% reported that they were not being paid within 30 days. It was 76% in the private sector.

Almost 47% of firms working for public bodies reported that a tenth of their payments were late – 10% more than in the private sector. A significant number of firms – 19% – reported that at least a third of their payments from public bodies were late.

Almost half of their payments are made late according to 45% of subcontractors working in the public sector.

90% of firms supported the introduction of a construction regulator with powers

to impose penalties on poor payers or, in the case of suppliers, to exclude them from bidding for public sector works.

Eddie Myles, SEC Group Scotland Chairman, said: “There is overwhelming support for a regulator to challenge poor payment practices. I urge the Scottish Government to back this proposal by introducing legislation to create the office of regulator with extensive powers to penalise those guilty of bad practice.”

SEC Group Scotland now is urging the Scottish Government to amend the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 to require that all public bodies use project bank accounts (PBAs) so that payments to all suppliers are secure.

Neil joins as new Technical Adviser for north Scotland Neil Sim has joined SELECT as our new dedicated Technical Adviser for the north of Scotland.

The electrical expert has more than two decades’ worth of domestic, commercial and industrial experience under his belt, as 10

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well as working offshore performing vital inspections and maintenance.

Based in Aberdeen, he will now help carry out assessments, inspections and testing. He will also offer advice and

dispute resolution services, and contribute to training and our technical helpline.

Neil said: “I am delighted to have joined SELECT and look forward to meeting Members on my travels.

“I have been

familiar with the great work that SELECT does for many years, and am looking forward to a new challenge and working with the Technical team.”

Neil can be contacted on neil.sim@select.org.uk or by calling 0131 445 5577.

New changes are a hot topic

Toolbox Talks: Page 16&17

SELECT has teamed up with Aico to produce a handbook outlining recent changes to legislation in Scotland relating to fire detection and fire alarm systems in dwellings.

The booklet provides details of what is deemed to be ‘satisfactory equipment for detecting and giving warning of fire’ to comply with the extension introduced to the ‘tolerable standard’ being introduced from 1 February 2021.

Information is also provided on changes for private rented landlords to comply with the repairing standard. This came into effect from 1 March 2019 and now aligns with the guidance produced for compliance with the tolerable standard.

The handbook is currently being distributed at our 2019 Toolbox Talks (pictured left). For a copy, call 0131 445 5577 or see www.select.org.uk

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NEWS ROUND-UP Jim Pridham takes over as ECA President Businessman and electrical engineer Jim Pridham has become President of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA).

Jim began his electrical training in the Royal Navy, where he held various roles as an electrical mechanic on ships and submarines between 1971 and 1978.

He finished his time in the Navy as a leading ordnance electrical mechanic and went on to work for Thames Water Utilities before forming his own company, JR Pridham Services Ltd, in Reading in 1988. The company now has more than 90 employees.

Jim said: “This is a great honour and I am grateful for the opportunity to champion the electrotechnical and engineering services industry.

“I look forward to working hard to further raise the positive profile of our industry and tackle its biggest challenges, including fair payment, the skills shortage and Brexit uncertainty.”

Jim takes over the presidency from Malcolm Crofts, who has played an important role in championing the industry and the ECA’s role in supporting members to grow their businesses.

ECA CEO Steve Bratt added: “We are very pleased that Jim has become ECA’s new president and the ECA team look forward to working with him to further enhance the status of the engineering services sector.

“On behalf of ECA’s staff and members, we are very grateful to Malcolm for his active support and engagement with the issues facing the industry, and his achievements over the past year as President.”

The Ideal team pose in their hero outfits

Ideal’s heroic effort Appeal for work placements The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) is looking for employers willing to offer one-week work placements to youngsters taking part in an industry gateway scheme.

SECTT is once again running three Get into Electrical Installation programmes this summer, in partnership with the Electrical Engineering Training Foundation (EETF) and the Prince’s Trust. The programmes’ key dates are: ●●Edinburgh – course starts 17 June; work experience week starts 15 July; celebration event Wednesday 24 July ●●Dundee – course starts 17 June; work experience week starts 15 July; celebration event Thursday 25 July

NEW MEMBERS

Five firms have become SELECT Members since May 2019 Hutchison Electrical Services Ltd, Dundee

Quinnergy Ltd, East Kilbride

G Palmer Electrical, Isle of Islay

William Smith Electrical, Shotts, Lanarkshire

Perth City Electric, Perth 12

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●●Paisley – course starts 24 June; work experience week starts 22 July; celebration event Thursday 1 August Anne Galbriath, CEO of SECTT, said: “We are looking for employers to support the programme by offering a one-week work placement during the above dates.

“In previous years the standard of candidate has been excellent. I know that employers appreciate the insight the six-week programme gives to the candidates, making them work-ready and ensuring that they have a real understanding of what it takes to be an electrician.”

If you are able to offer a work placement, call SECTT on 0131 445 5659.

SELECT Member company Ideal Electrical Solutions has once again sponsored Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids fundraising campaign.

For the second year in a row, the Edinburgh-based firm was the main backer of the charity’s Superhero Day on 10 May. Staff dressed as heroes and the firm also decorated its vans and office windows. The day raised a total of £202,000 for Cash for Kids.

An Ideal spokesman said: “We are extremely proud to be the main sponsors of Superhero Day in aid for Cash for Kids.

“We had great fun dressing up this year, but more importantly, helped to raise a great deal of cash for a fantastic cause.”

Len to offer expert advice about ‘contract minefields’ One of Scotland’s leading dispute resolution consultants, Len Bunton, is embarking on a new venture to help electrical companies navigate “contractual minefields”.

The regular CABLEtalk contributor is offering a consultancy service to help contractors identify potential issues before they become serious.

Len said: “I’m fed up of seeing the increasing costs of adjudication, and the whole uncertainty

of the process, so I’m now looking at other avenues.

“My associate and I will help clients through the contractual minefield at tender stage, and iron out any potential problem clauses. We’ll also become closely involved in early intervention during the contract, so if a client sees a problem looming, we’ll talk it through and work out a resolution strategy.

“I feel this is a more positive impact to make in the

industry and think many companies need a ‘non-executive’ type adviser to talk through and assist with any issues.

“I’d just like to see organisations resolving issues without having to go to adjudication.”

Call Len on 07769 670 089 or email len@ buntonconsulting.co.uk for further details.

Len’s state of the nation – Pages 23-25

Find out more at bit.ly/WCS_ females

SESSION GIVES GIRLS A TASTE OF ELECTRICAL CAREER Aspiring female electricians are being sought for a new Electrical PreApprenticeship course starting at West College Scotland later this year.

As revealed in a previous edition of CABLEtalk, the college’s Paisley Campus will be offering the course from August 2019 onwards, in partnership with SECTT and Skills Development Scotland.

The college is now keen to recruit more females to the course, and a taster session has been scheduled for the first week in August for any would-be pre-apprentices.

Those attending will be able to gain first-hand knowledge by meeting and hearing from current apprentices and preapprentices who have just finished their course.

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FEATURES SELECT AWARDS 2019

● Nominations for the 2019 Awards are now open ● Cream of industry will be recognised at dinner ● It’s free to enter but hurry – deadline is 28 June

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ntries are now open for the SELECT Awards 2019 – so here’s your chance to play a starring role in the most electrifying night in the industry calendar! This year’s event will once again be held in Glasgow, this time on Friday 11 October, where the cream of the electrotechinical industry will be recognised for its excellence.

Like last year, we’re giving every size of business a chance to win, with the

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contractor category split into three – Small (annual turnover of up to £250,000), Medium (turnover of between £250,000 and £1 million) and Large (turnover of more than £1 million).

As well as the other established categories, there will be awards for the Apprentice of the Year and Wholesaler Apprentice of the Year. One special industry figure will also be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Alan Wilson, SELECT Managing Director, said: “Once again, these

awards will highlight the skill, dedication and commitment shown by the people in our industry and showcase all that is best in this safety-critical business.

“The SELECT Awards are always the highlight of my year, and it’s great to see so many established businesses and individuals recognised alongside the talent of tomorrow.”

The ceremony will once again be held at the Radisson Blu, with a night of top-class entertainment promised – along with a few surprises too.

Entry is FREE and if your entry is shortlisted, you’ll receive two tickets for the gala dinner and awards with B&B for two in the Radisson Blu. But hurry – the deadline for entries is Friday 28 June.

Enter no selectaw w at ards. co.uk

CATEGORIES Best Delivery of Customer Service

Best Small Contractor (Up to £250k turnover)

Sponsored by MacRoberts LLP

Sponsored by ECIC

A Member company that consistently goes the extra mile to provide excellent customer service

Open to all Member companies with an annual turnover of up to £250,000

Best Health & Safety Initiative Award

Best Medium Sized Contractor (From £250k to £1m turnover) Sponsored by Rexel

Sponsored by Electrical Safety First

A Member company that has had a clear and positive effect on enhancing electrical safety

Open to all Member companies with an annual turnover of between £250,000 and £1 million

Best Large Contractor (Over £1m turnover)

Best New Product Sponsored by City Electrical Factors

Sponsored by Megger

An organisation that has designed, developed and brought an innovative new product to market

Open to all Member companies with an annual turnover of more than £1 million

Best Use of Training

Best Visual Promotion Sponsored by Connect

Sponsor to be announced

A Member company that has used training to enhance its business

A Member company that has used promotional materials to raise its profile and awareness

ADDITIONAL AWARDS Apprentice of the Year Sponsored by SJIB and Edmundson Electrical

Wholesaler Apprentice of the Year

Lifetime Achievement

Sponsored by EDA and EDA+

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Sponsored by Schneider Electric

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FEATURES TOOLBOX TALKS

Hampden SELECT Technical Adviser Bob Cairney addresses the audience in Glasgow

Members flock to national stadium in Glasgow as technical update sessions with SELECT experts prove as popular as ever 16

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ur Toolbox Talks have hit the road again for 2019 – and the mammoth 12-stop tour is already proving as popular as ever. This year’s hot topics include fire detection and alarm systems, Building Standards in Scotland and residual current device (RCD)

selection, all delivered by a team of SELECT experts.

After kicking off in style with a packed session at our HQ outside Edinburgh on 7 May, the tour – which is free for Members – has so far visited the Borders, Dumfries, Dundee, Ayrshire, Inverness and Aberdeen.

Our photographer was also on hand to capture the action at the event at

spark

See more phot os from the day CABLEtalkmag at azine. com

New electronic voting pads are being used at this year’s Talks

Hampden Park on 15 May, which attracted the usual wide range of directors, managers, company owners, employees and apprentices.

Afterwards, Alan Wilson, SELECT Managing Director, said: “Our technical team and industry partners, including SCTT and the SJIB, have put together a great programme that will help Members stay up to date.”

Space are still available for the final four dates as follows: ●●Oban – The Wide Mouthed Frog, Tuesday 11 June ●●Isle of Islay – The Bridgend Hotel, Wednesday 12 June ●●Orkney – The Pickaquoy Centre, Tuesday 18 June ●●Shetland – The Lerwick Hotel, Wednesday 19 June.

As well as technical presentations and discussions about topical trade matters, the Talks feature an exhibition with companies including Martindale, Scolmore, Aurora, Aico and ECIC. This year’s events also feature digital ‘voting’ technology that has proved popular during discussions.

To book, email memberservices@ select.org.uk or call 0131 445 5577.

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FEATURES MEMBER PROFILE

Sunshine on Keiths

The past three decades have seen the AKD family expand and prosper – and founder Keith Miller and managing director Keith Groom are now looking forward to an even brighter future

Keith Groom (left) and Keith Miller have enjoyed success at the SELECT Awards 18

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AKD’s distinctive vans are now a familiar sight on the streets of Scotland and beyond

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By Stewart McRobert very anniversary is worth celebrating, but reaching your 30th is extra special.

Just ask the team at Edinburgh-based Member company AKD, who hit that milestone in March.

“It’s fantastic,” said Keith Miller, who founded AKD back in 1989. “There have been ups and downs along the way, but we’re really proud of how the company has grown and prospered.”

From modest beginnings AKD has become a major force in Scotland’s electrical industry with customers across the UK. The firm’s origins lie in Keith’s own computing background. He set up AKD all those years ago when he noticed increasing demand for computer cabling. “It was a burgeoning market and each manufacturer had its own system,” he said. “So if you were operating an IBM system you had IBM cabling, and if you had an ICL system you used ICL cabling and so on.

“There was a major development when AT&T produced the premises distribution system (PDS), the first structured cabling system. That helped bring uniformity. Meanwhile, companies were installing small networks, so we were also doing ethernet cabling.”

Of course, AKD had to employ electricians to install the cabling. As the

“There have been ups and downs but we’re proud of how the company has prospered” Keith Miller firm’s workload increased, clients began to ask if it could undertake electrical work to support those cabling systems.

Gradually, the nature of its projects changed to the extent that cabling is just one small part of the wider electrical work AKD carries out.

Now based in purpose-built premises in Danderhall, near Edinburgh, the company’s first location was in more humble surroundings; St Mary’s Workshops in Leith, a former primary school. “We were there for around five years before we ran out of space and moved to Peffer Place in south Edinburgh,” said Keith. “Thirteen years ago we needed yet more room, so we upped sticks again to our current base in Danderhall. And we’ve since added our other locations in Glasgow and Crewe.”

Like many firms, AKD faced a struggle in its early days. That wasn’t helped

when, a year after it was set up, the UK was hit by recession. Keith noted: “The big plans we had were put on hold. But every firm has highs and lows and we’ve faced other challenges over the years.”

The first important breakthrough came when the company secured a major customer Keith had been chasing for some time. He revealed: “They were a large distribution firm with approximately 96 sites across the UK, and we had to convince them that AKD could do the work they needed done.

Luckily, we eventually won them over and they became a source of regular work for a number of years.”

After successfully establishing itself there was a significant development six years into AKD’s story when the current managing director, Keith Groom, joined as an electrician. In fact, he joined at the second time of asking, revealing: “I knew Keith M’s right hand man and was offered the chance to speak with the firm. At the time I was quite happy where I was. However, around six months later I was asked again and this time I decided to have a chat. I was told how the company wanted to develop and where they saw me fitting in. I didn’t think twice and joined within a week.”

Although he came on board to carry out electrical work, ‘Keith G’ soon made his mark in other ways, by being proactive in expanding the work AKD Continued on page 20 >>> CABLEtalk

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FEATURES MEMBER PROFILE >>> Continued from page 19

was carrying out for two national companies. His progression was swift.

First, he was appointed contracts manager, then operations manager. And, after joining the board in 2003, he was made managing director in June 2017.

Keith Miller’s founding ethos for the company was based on the belief that success depends on having happy people. He wanted it to be a place where people want to come to work and he worked hard to create the idea of the ‘AKD family’.

QUICK FACTS In turn, Keith Groom – who shares his namesake’s passion for Hibernian FC – has followed that example. He said: “I’ve always been keen to make sure the company remains AKD approachable and friendly. We like to think our people can Electrical come and speak to us about any BASED: topic. And no one gets shot Edinburgh down when they put forward a PHONE: suggestion. In fact, some of the 0131 654 7080 ideas suggested by electricians WEBSITE: and others through the years www.akd.net have saved us money and asked if we’d concluded our interviews. I told him, ‘Yes, but generated new business.” we’ve not made a final decision.’ He Leap forward replied, ‘You still have to meet me’.”

No firm’s progress can be measured in The pair agreed to conduct an straight lines. That’s as true of AKD as interview – at Sandbach Services on the anyone else. Another of its great leaps M6. “Notably, he had the determination forward came when long-standing and initiative to phone the office and get client, Dulux Decorators Centres, my mobile number,” said Keith. The mentioned its concern about the motorway meeting went well and carbon footprint generated by AKD Damian impressed again at final staff travelling to service its sites. interview in Edinburgh. Now, ten Keith Groom said: “I suggested we years later, they have no doubt they open a base near their head office in made the right choice. Damian has Manchester and employ local people. made a significant contribution to AKD That received a big thumbs up and our and become a director of the firm.

Keith Groom Crewe office was established with As well as having the right people Damian Parkin at the helm.”

Damian’s recruitment shows how AKD has managed to attract exactly THE AKD NAME REVEALED! the people it needs to take the company If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning forward. “When we were opening at of the initials ‘AKD’, Keith Miller has Crewe we had several candidates that revealed the truth – it doesn’t stand for we eventually whittled down to two – anything! He said: “When the firm started neither of whom were Damian,” we had to quickly come up with a name so explained Keith Groom. “I was we simply mixed up the initials of me and subsequently on business in my business partner at the time.”

Birmingham when my phone rang. It was Damian; he’d spotted our ad and

“The secret is in forming positive relationships, adding value and giving clients the help they need”

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AKD’s success is founded on its approach to projects. “We’re competitive when it comes to tenders and we are very careful about the contractors that we work with,” said Keith Groom.

“The secret is in forming positive relationships, adding value and giving clients the help they need. Many end clients don’t have staff to manage projects and fully understand the scope of a major electrical project. We use our experience and expertise to future proof their business so they can expand or contract efficiently and effectively.

“That approach has tangible results.

Among other achievements AKD has enjoyed long-lasting relationships and become preferred supplier for a number of national companies. Often, once we’ve completed a project, the end client will come to us directly for future work, with the approval of the main contractor.”

The net result is that the firm is in a very good place as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Keith Miller noted: “Having opened our Glasgow office just over two years ago, with commercial manager Barry Hunter overseeing things, we have three thriving locations. We’re always on

ahead. He said: “Specifically, I’d love to see movement on items such as payment terms, where SMEs often struggle to get paid in good time for the work that they do.

“People in our position will always say that cash flow is the one thing that you can’t predict – but you do know exactly when wages and salaries have to go out and when bills, including tax, have to be paid. We need government action that will give a little more cash flow certainty to businesses like ours.

“We’re also backing SELECT’s efforts to get protected title for electricians.

The key is to make sure it’s well policed, if and when it’s granted.”

With its roots in computing, AKD is well prepared for future changes in technology. It is already an Office for Low Emission Vehicles approved installer and has recently made the decision to install an electrical vehicle charger at its Edinburgh office.

Reaching the 30th anniversary inevitably prompts thoughts about the future as well as the past. For Keith Miller, there’s the realisation that retirement is on the horizon. “There are no specific plans right now,” he said, “but I suspect it won’t be far off.” Whenever he decides to go, his colleagues know that he’ll always be on hand to give guidance and advice if it’s needed. And, of course, he’ll always be known as the founder of AKD. Meanwhile, although Keith Groom reached his own personal milestone on 16 May, reaching 50, he’s looking forward to taking AKD forward. “The most important thing is that we remain strong and create a good legacy for Keith,” he said. “The future is exciting and it’s important to ensure we enjoy, and rise to, the challenge.”

the lookout for new work of course, and our future will be dictated by the market. We’ve reached a ‘sweet spot’ where we have 55 staff and a £5 million turnover, as well as the necessary flexibility to react to market conditions.

We’re proud of the support network we’ve built for our clients, and we’re in command of where we want to be.”

Looking more widely, Keith Groom said he’d noticed a sector trend that could best be described as ‘a race to the bottom’, with a high number of projects focusing on cheapest price above all else.

“That’s not our approach – we complete projects within budget, but we also put the emphasis on high quality. We’re determined Both Keiths to maintain the best are huge Hibs possible standards.” supporters Having had roles at SELECT, Keith added that he’s hoping the UK Government will take steps to support the industry in the years

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FEATURES PAYMENTS & CONTRACTS

The state of the nation

Our industry expert gives an in-depth update on some of the most important issues facing today’s Scottish electrotechnical sector

By Len Bunton

FRICS FCIArb, HON FRIAS

SEC Group Scotland

I

n the April/May edition of CABLEtalk, SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson wrote an extremely interesting and accurate article entitled ‘The tide is beginning to turn’.

I agree with him that change is under way. In fact, so many things are happening in the industry it’s difficult to keep pace, but thankfully on the cash flow and payment front, there are a number of positives emerging.

Payment issues

The Scottish Government’s support of Project Bank Accounts (PBAs) is very good news for the industry supply chain

and made even better by the decision to reduce the threshold to £2 million. The Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group and SELECT have some very helpful publications on how PBAs operate in practice and I see no reason why the threshold should not be reduced even further.

As far as retentions are concerned, Rudi Klein has written some splendid articles recently in relation to the removal of retention, something the industry has canvassed for over the past 30 years, and at long last the UK and Scottish Governments have picked up Continued on page 24 >>> CABLEtalk

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FEATURES PAYMENTS & CONTRACTS Continued from page 23

the baton – and not before time. The only downside in Scotland is that we’re going through another consultation – which I kindly refer to as “kicking the can down the road” – but hopefully 2019 will see some real action on removing retention entirely.

When it comes to payment periods, some splendid work by SELECT and the SEC Group has demonstrated that, factually, the public sector in a number of areas are not meeting the 30-day payment period. It is up to the Scottish Government to enforce this and the more examples we have of sloppy payment periods, from the public and private sectors the better. If you see payment abuse, then please let SELECT know because we need accountability from employers.

As an aside, I was pleased to see the UK Government announcement last November that there would be a crackdown on companies who fail to pay their suppliers on time, which could result in them being prevented from winning government contracts.

So is the Scottish Government listening?

I am glad to say that the answer to this is YES. Having been involved in various committees, working groups and ad hoc discussions over the last 12 months I believe that government is now making itself aware of industry issues, and is looking at the potential resolution of these issues.

The Scottish Government Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has recently had some consultation and has met several influencers involved in the industry, and I think their report is due to be published in June.

I also submitted a hard-hitting commentary on industry problems relating to cash flow and payment problems and listened to the TV coverage of most of the sessions.

I hope our MSPs will have had a wake-up call about the industry’s problems and the solutions that are needed, and needed quickly, so let me turn to these, with no apologies for repeating some of my comments in earlier editions of CABLEtalk.

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Holyrood is listening to our concerns

“If you have issues that concern you, flag them up so action can be taken, and keep driving to improve change” Procurement

In my experience as an adjudicator, all of the problems we experience go right back to the fundamental problems of procurement. Thankfully again, the Scottish Government is now looking at a number of issues and many of these were considered at the recent sessions of the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee.

In relation to consultants’ fee levels, more consideration needs to be given to quality, capability and track record rather than price. The old adage of “you get what you pay for” is never truer, so designers need to be paid an appropriate level of fees to design buildings.

All too often, projects are going to tender with the design not completed,

the contract documents loaded with provisional sums and a significant increase in the use of contractor designed portions – again, in short, risk is transferred to the contractor and the supply chain.

The same issues apply to contractors’ tenders, where price is king over quality and track record and capability. Pay a decent price and you will get a decent project, so the Scottish Government urgently needs to address the issue of suicidal bidding.

Contract terms

I keep emphasising two areas concerning contract terms: First, I see no justification to amend the JCT/SBCC Forms of Contract so take care when you’re tendering if you see areas where these forms have been amended – especially the payment provisions. I have had some serious discussions with various organisations about them imposing onerous contract conditions.

I deplore this practice.

Secondly, you want to avoid accepting some changes to contract terms like the plague. It is interesting that Build UK has just published a note in relation to not using certain contract terms – these include fitness for purpose provisions, unquantifiable risks, specified perils, breach of contract, uncapped liabilities and performance securities.

Let me give you an example of a

aspects of projects. Much remains to be done here, and more seminars are planned for later in 2019, so please contact Yvonne Wilson at SELECT if you want more details.

In these seminars, we identified problem clauses in building contracts, better management of the application for payment processes, and the need to ensure that your applications for payment are submitted on time and are rigorous in detail. Don’t give anyone an excuse to whack money off your applications for payment!

Adjudications

completely unacceptable provision I read recently where the tenderer was given ground condition reports and site investigation reports, but was held to be liable for the accuracy of these and would be liable if the ground conditions were not met. It is utter rubbish to impose risks like these on contractors.

Commercial training

Last year the SEC Group ran three seminars in Scotland relating to better management of the commercial

I spend 95% of my time as an adjudicator so what do I think of the process these days? The answer is not much. The process was introduced to improve cash flow in the industry, and we have lost sight of that.

It is now a convoluted and expensive process. Even if you get a decision in your favour then the chances are that you still won’t get paid and it is common nowadays for an adjudicator’s decision to be the start of a negotiation process and then a deal gets done.

The type of issues I see are jurisdictional challenges, and many are complete nonsense. Parties won’t agree the adjudicator’s terms and conditions, there are complaints about breaches of natural justice and moans and groans about decisions. One

judge even revealed recently that lawyers were picking over an adjudicator’s decision to find any morsel to challenge its validity. That’s the sort of thing that’s going on.

I think the lessons is this: If your negotiation with another party fails, and you are owed money and consider that adjudication is the only solution, then make sure your case is thoroughly put together and is as comprehensive as possible, and then follow the procedures. But be warned – the other side will throw the book at you.

There needs to be a better way forward than adjudication, which brings me on to...

Conflict avoidance processes (CAP)

This is an early intervention process where parties bring in an industry heavyweight to hear the issues before recommending a resolution.

This strategy has been run successfully on a number of major projects for Transport for London, who have hailed it a great success by virtue of early resolution, a huge reduction in legal fees and a decrease in claims costs.

RICS Scotland recently launched CAP in Scotland and is now making progress in engaging public sector bodies who are very interested and want to move this forward. For more information, see the RCIS website where you can sign your company up to be involved.

In conclusion

The elephant in the room that is payment issues is now being addressed

So just to sum up, I am greatly encouraged at the momentum we are building in the industry for change.

Huge credit is due to Rudi Klein, CEO of SEC Group, and Alan Wilson at SELECT, for their continuing drive to effect Find out change on behalf of their m o r e about th members. It has been a Avoidan e Conflict ce P real pleasure to work with bit.ly/RC ledge at IS_CAP both of them, and the various bodies involved in SEC Group.

And remember – if you have any issues that concern you, then flag them up so that action can be taken, and keep driving to improve both change and relationships across the industry.

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FEATURES

ELECTROTECHNICAL CERTIFICATION SCHEME

Fitter for the future

The new Chair of the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) reflects on the task ahead for its steering committee and what the UK industry should expect from it going forward

By Newell McGuiness ECS Chair

I

t’s a few days before the London Marathon and I’m sitting in a café watching a river of runners taking their last easy jogs before the big day on Sunday. What strikes me most, aside from seeing so many people clearly wrapped up in the primal joy of running, is the myriad of shapes and sizes on display. Short ones, tall ones, skinny ones, fat ones and everything in between.

One runner in particular caught my attention as he passed me four times in 40 minutes. He was what some people might describe as a ‘big unit’. But despite being about six-and-a-half feet tall and

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closer to 20 stone than 15, he clearly had been a runner for a few years. He was efficient, deliberate and easy moving, surprising me on his last pass with a furious turn of speed, presumably to top off his session with effort and style.

I’m not sure why, but this gent drew an analogy in my mind with the ECS, which is itself also a ‘big unit’. As it approaches 20 years in existence, the ECS currently certifies the training, qualifications and skills of some 160,000 individuals. Just like our runner, ECS is operationally skilled and consistently provides a trusted and reliable service. Unlike our runner, it has sometimes been criticised for not putting in the effort to be the very best it can be – it perhaps hasn’t always pushed itself quite hard enough?

So, as the new Chair of the ECS steering committee, my role seems clear and that is to help the ECS become fitter for the future. It’s early days yet, but already progress has been made.

Governance of the scheme has been enhanced and the composition of the steering committee widened to include representation from important electrical safety and accreditation organisations.

New formal terms of reference for the ECS have been implemented and a set of strategic objectives agreed. Both of these initiatives will professionalise attitudes and bring a broader perspective to the work of ECS as well as help hold it to account. Looking slightly further ahead,

and on the back of a detailed strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis, the focus will turn to building on the key strengths of ECS and maximising the opportunities to grow it further and more fully embrace the wider electrotechnical industry.

A key part will be the development of a clear communications strategy, not only to ensure key stakeholders are kept properly informed, but also to grow awareness of the value of ECS, not least with government and the general public.

An annual report will support the strategy by recording key activities, noting meaningful achievements and identifying progress against targets.

All of this will hopefully be a catalyst to raise the game of the ECS and turn an already value-added electrotechnical industry stalwart into something even better. The ECS may already be a big unit, but there is no reason at all why it shouldn’t be bigger still and at the same time more efficient, responsive and aligned to the needs of the sector.

In short, it will be just like our large runner, pushing that wee bit harder to be the best it can be. After all, it’s what the industry needs and expects – and there is no reason why the ECS can’t deliver and be fitter for the future.

FEATURES SAFETY

‘I’m trying to make something positive out of something terrible’

Louise Taggart’s younger brother Michael Adamson was electrocuted at work in 2005. After his employer was found guilty of health and safety offences and fined £300,000, Louise has dedicated her life to campaigning and educating employers to offer the safest possible working environments. Here, she shares Michael’s story and tells us why his legacy is so important…

Continued on page 28 >>> CABLEtalk

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FEATURES SAFETY Continued from page 27

Hi Louise. Can you give us some background to your story please?

My brother was 26 years old and engaged to be married. He left for work as normal on Thursday 4 August 2005 but didn’t make it home. He’d been working in Edinburgh and got called to an ‘all hands on deck’ job up in Dundee.

They were trying to get a JJB Sports store and gym complex ready for a handover to a client by the next morning or else some penalty clauses were going to kick in. He was working with a colleague installing a security system and cut a cable labelled ‘not in use’ that was actually terminated into a distribution board and not safely isolated. He was stripping insulating material when he suffered the shock.

Do you feel what happened to him was preventable?

Absolutely. At the end of the trial, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) said his death could have been prevented if his employer had ensured that safe working practices were carried out in accordance with their own written procedures. The HSE said he hadn’t been given the necessary equipment to test that the cable was dead, or the means to isolate the circuit securely himself. So Michael had been sent to work in an inherently unsafe environment.

What did you decide to do?

We were all a bit lost, to be honest. I was working as an employment lawyer at the time and knew we needed legal help, which we got, but then we were at the Louise delivers a talk about safety

Louise continues to campaign tirelessly in memory of her beloved brother

mercy of the prosecution system. Our focus was on chasing updates on a potential prosecution and it was only about a year after Michael’s death that I found out about a new support group called Families Against Corporate Killers (FACK). The name is deliberately designed to make you sit up and take notice. Their aim was to get justice for those who had died in work-related incidents, ensure that lessons were learned and future deaths prevented. They formed in July 2006 and I was their first member beyond the founding members.

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I gave up my job as a lawyer after being invited into a business to talk about what happened to Michael. I’m now labelled a ‘work place safety speaker’ and go into businesses to tell Michael’s story. I speak to a wide range of businesses, from the likes of Babcock and BAE to manufacturing firms and construction companies across the country. I try to make sure that the failures that accumulated and resulted in Michael’s death don’t happen elsewhere. Beyond that, I continue to campaign with FACK

SELECT AND SAFE ISOLATION ●●Safe isolation is a major part of apprenticeships and the Final Integrated Competence Assessment – it’s a safety-critical element that requires 100% to pass the module. ●●All new apprentices are given a free lock-off kit and copy of the Best

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What kind of work and action do you now undertake?

Practice Guide, written by SELECT for Electrical Safety First. ●●Safe isolation was the main topic at SELECT’s Toolbox Talks in 2009 and 2013, with the HSE speaking at both. ●●SELECT delivers its own training course on

safe isolation, with more than 2,000 electricians taking part so far. ●●SELECT’s technical assessment of Members includes a requirement to provide evidence of safe isolation procedures, which they must demonstrate on a job.

to be a fully-qualified spark.

There needs to be an end to the downskilling of the industry – the electrician’s mate-type work – an end to bogus self-employment and an end to the sub-sub-subcontracting of work. The more it gets contracted out, the less safety becomes a concern; it’s all about cost and they do it as cheaply as possible and the safety essentials get cut.

What would your message be to other electrical contractors?

and I’m also a trustee of Scottish Hazards which is a health and safety charity. I converted them to charitable status, acted in the role of advice worker for a couple of years and I’m now on their board. I’m just trying to make something positive come out of something terrible.

What has the response been like to your campaign?

It’s pretty heartfelt and I regularly get feedback on the changes people have made and how they’ve changed their attitudes to health and safety. It’s easy to poo-poo it and think it’s over-the-top red tape, but after people have heard what happens when health and safety fails, they realise these measures have people at the heart of it.

Have things improved?

Not enough – absolutely not. I’m still being sent photos of insulating tape over circuit breakers, or being told people are only being supplied with multimeters when they should have voltage testers.

I’m fed up of seeing surveys that say

Louise and her younger brother Michael as children

things like 25 per cent of electricians rarely or never use a lock-off kit.

So have you been surprised by anything you’ve discovered?

Nothing surprises me any more and I find myself disappointed far too often.

The hardest place for me to get in to speak has been to electrical contractors.

I’m only doing that through principal contractors who then invite their sub-contractors into a session.

What would you like to see happen in the electrical industry?

I’d like to see a very clear ‘safety first’ message. I think the focus is often on the lack of quality for installations and potential for fires. I have one client who uses the strapline ‘Safety first, quality second nature’ and that’s the mindset that needs to be adopted. There needs to be an end to fast-track qualifications – people should have to serve their time properly and get the experience needed

The ‘safety first’ message needs to be led from the top.

Management need to send their people to work in a safe environment, they need to foster a culture where it’s not only OK for an individual to say: “Stop, I don’t think this is safe” but to know that management are positively encouraging them to do so. For the workers themselves, there needs to be an end to what was referred to in Michael’s trial as the “male macho cavalier approach” within the industry.

Workers should be able to demand the right equipment to do their job safely, they should be able to demand the time to do it safely and be able to speak up if they don’t think they are being properly supported by managers and supervisors.

Where can people go to for advice?

If individuals feel unable to speak up in their workplace and they aren’t a member of a trade union, they can call the Scottish Hazards helpline on 0800 001 5022. That’s a free and confidential advice helpline for workers on health and safety issues. It’s not just for electrical workers, it’s for any trade or industry. They can phone us and get advice on how to deal with the situation. n Interview by Louise Baillie

You can find out more about Louise’s ongoing campaign at www.michaels-story.net CABLEtalk

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FEATURES APPRENTICE TRAINING

Blueprint for Atalian Servest AMK currently has 83 apprentices on its books

T

hey say that there’s no substitute for experience – which is why Atalian Servest AMK Ltd has invested in a special purpose-built training room to help its young apprentices gain invaluable hands-on know-how.

The move by the SELECT Member company means its trainees can enjoy extra one-to-one or group training in addition to their college and on-site training.

Mike Stark, Operations Director, told us: “The training facility was built to support apprentice

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training in all disciplines. So as well as seeing the theory in a tutorial, they can experience the real thing and enjoy one-to-one or group practical training.

“The training covers things like test boards, fault finding, erecting and dismantling of scaffolding and working from step ladders and podiums. We

“We want to give them a full range of knowledge” Mike Stark

also show them how to use specialist hand tools, change components and encourage familiarity with all types of plant.”

A space for skills

The training facility was converted from a former warehouse and storage area at Atalian Servest AMK head office in Loanhead, Midlothian.

The new facility emphasises the Atalian Servest AMK commitment to the training of its current crop of 83 apprentices, who work at sites and offices across the UK and Ireland.

Mike revealed: “Apprentices are very important to us – we see them as the future of our business, and they fill a skills gap within the industry.”

He went on: “We currently enjoy a

skills success Atalian Servest AMK is helping its apprentices develop and enhance their skills thanks to a new purpose-built training facility at its head office in Midlothian

RIGHT: A blueprint of the new training area in Midlothian

96% retention rate and are hoping for an intake level of 20-25 apprentices this year.”

Some of the areas the company’s in-house training currently helps apprentices are: ●●Electrical testing ●●Project cabling ●●Plant familiarity ●●Risk assessment method statements (RAMS).

Mike said: “Our in-house training gives them back-up to what they receive at college and also means we can break down some of the aspects of their course work. For example, we begin their knowledge of electrical testing from day one, as we feel it’s a vitally important discipline.

“Plant familiarity is another area we focus on, enhancing their skillset when using items like hand tools and access equipment.

“As health and safety is our first consideration on all projects, RAMS training is followed up from their induction to practical site examples.

“We appreciate that most of our apprentices will receive RAMS training at some stage at college, but we want our apprentices to pick up on the Atalian Servest AMK culture and importance of health and safety and the awareness of the risks.”

Mike added: “We’re just trying to provide them with a full range of knowledge – and it’s very satisfying to see them develop their skillsets and grow in confidence.”

New talent shines through

These skills have seen the company’s apprentices enjoying awards success in recent years, with its trainees earning national recognition for their hard work and dedication.

The firm is also seeing more female apprentices coming through the ranks, with young trainee Jodie Conroy now learning her trade with Atalian Servest AMK in Glasgow.

Mike believes the key to developing this production line of talent is ensuring that young people are helped and listened to every step of the way.

He added: “We aim to continually introduce new training in all aspects of their education. You can never stand still in our business – which is why our apprentices are always learning.”

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FOCUS EMPLOYMENT LAW

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By Fiona Harper Head of Employment Affairs, SELECT

The UK Government’s Good Work Plan has outlined new changes to employment law.

But what will they mean for employers?

T

he world of work has changed radically over the last ten years, transformed by technology and societal trends. When you think about it, no-one was talking about the ‘gig economy’ ten years ago – now, it’s part and parcel of everyday conversations.

To reflect this changing world, the UK Government published its Good Work Plan in December last year. Drawing on the 2017 Taylor Review, it aims to balance flexibility for employers with fairness for employees. Among its new proposals are: ●●From April 2020, all workers – not just employees – will have a right to a written statement of terms and conditions from their first day of employment. Currently it’s after two months. ●●Additional information will be needed in the written statement, including how long the job is expected to last, details of all remuneration due (not just pay), the specific days and times employees (workers) are

Good Work is good for business expected to work and other rights to paid leave, such as maternity leave (from April 2019). ●●The period required to break continuity of employment will increase from one week to four weeks. ●●The maximum penalty for ‘aggravated’ breaches of employment will quadruple to £20,000, and with effect from December last year, employers who do not pay tribunal awards face being ‘named and shamed’.

The UK Government also intends to legislate on issues such as how holiday pay is calculated, with the reference period for the calculation being increased from 12 to 52 weeks, and to give workers the right to ask for ‘stable and predictable’ contracts.

The specific changes set out in the Good Work Plan will matter greatly to employers and employees alike. However, it’s also worth thinking about the bigger picture and the direction of travel indicated by the plan – namely, how best to increase staff engagement, productivity and skills.

Woven into the suggested regulatory changes is the belief that greater transparency and clarity over contracts, obligations and rights will help both employers and employees not only develop but also benefit from good working relationships. The growing discussion over an employee’s right

to disconnect – i.e. keeping work-related emails and phone calls to within working time rather than taking the responsibility home – is also part of the drive to improve engagement and wellbeing at work.

There’s plenty more regulation likely to follow from the Good Work Plan as 51 of the 53 Taylor Review proposals are to be implemented.

SELECT’s Employment Affairs team will update you on the detail as it comes through. In the meantime, keep in mind the general point that’s driving all of this – good work is good for business.

i

For more details, call Employment Affairs on 0131 445 5577

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FOCUS PLANNING FOR BREXIT

Are you ready for Brexit?

By Sarah Hunt, Key Sector Development Executive, Skills Development Scotland

A

s things currently stand, the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) have agreed to extend Article 50 until 31 October.

Under the terms of this extension, the UK could still leave the EU at an earlier date if a withdrawal agreement is approved but could also still leave the EU without any withdrawal agreement.

Further delays remain possible, and the UK may enter a transition period once it does leave the EU. This means citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland would still be able to live, work and study in Scotland via free movement, until the transition period ended. In addition, a new UK immigration system would come into effect.

Preparing your business for Brexit The Prepare for Brexit campaign is a joint approach being delivered by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland, supported by a range of other organisations including Business Gateway and VisitScotland.

Through its website, businesses are being encouraged to start planning, or continue to prepare, for Brexit by making use of the following resources: ●●Using the online Brexit selfassessment tool and 12-point Brexit 34

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With the current uncertainty about our departure from the European Union, how do you know what’s best for your business – and what steps you should take next? A new initiative is here to help... checklist to identify the likely exposure to Brexit risks and opportunities ●●Attending one of the many Brexit events and webinars across Scotland to get expert advice ●●Finding information and support about workforce, trade, investment and intellectual property issues ●●Asking a question online or by calling 0300 303 0661 if answers can’t be found anywhere else ●●Applying for a Brexit Support Grant to help with Brexit preparations.

All these resources can be found at www. prepareforbrexit.scot

the EU Settlement Scheme. The length of time individuals have lived in the UK will determine what status they apply for. So if they’ve lived in the UK for five or more consecutive years they can apply for Settled Status. And if they’ve been here less than five years, they can apply for Pre-Settled Status.

The UK Government has created an employer toolkit to help equip businesses with the right information to support citizens and their families applying to the EU Settlement Scheme.

The UK Government’s employer toolkit is available at bit.ly/Brexit_toolkit

2. New immigration process

The UK Government is currently developing a new immigration In terms of workforce planning, system for the UK based on the businesses should understand Immigration White Paper if their current and/or that was published in future workforce is likely December. This new to be impacted by the system is anticipated to Find out more about UK leaving the EU. come into practice for Brexit and its potential Businesses should be EU, EEA or Swiss business impact at citizens following the aware of the following prepareforbrexit. three policy changes end of any potential scot that may impact their transition period. workforce: This means an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen moving to 1. EU Settled Status and Scotland to live, work and/or study Pre-Settled Status after the end of the transition period All EU, EEA or Swiss citizens currently may need to apply for a visa. living in the UK must register under If you’re looking to employ an EU,

Workforce planning

EEA, Swiss or international citizen, you’ll need to ensure that both the job vacancy and individual meet the requirements of the new system.

Information about the current visa process is available at bit.ly/Brexit_visas

3. Workplace Rights

The UK Government has committed not to change existing policy on workplace rights after Brexit.

The EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 brings EU directives concerning workplace rights into UK law, meaning that workers in the UK will continue to be entitled to the rights they had pre-Brexit.

Any new legislation changing those

“Businesses should understand if their workforce could be impacted by the UK leaving the EU” laws will be assessed as to whether they uphold this commitment. Additionally, UK Parliament will be given a vote on whether future changes to EU directives should be adopted into UK law.

Stay in Scotland campaign

The Scottish Government has launched a campaign and package of support to encourage EU citizens to remain in Scotland after the UK leaves the EU. The Stay in Scotland campaign includes a guide for employers and a fact sheet which contains information on the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme, details of the application process and its requirements, plus links to other useful resources.

You can read the Stay in Scotland campaign guide for employers at bit.ly/Brexit_guide The fact sheet can be found at bit.ly/Brexit_sheet CABLEtalk

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FOCUS BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING

The reality behind the hype Building Information Modelling (BIM) was announced to great fanfare in 2017 – but two years on it’s still not reached its full potential.

So how has it affected efficiency in Scotland?

By Professor Rudi Klein SEC Group CEO and Barrister

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wo years ago, the Scottish Government announced its intent to promote Building Information Modelling (BIM) across public sector construction in Scotland.

Their intention was to bring about greater efficiencies in construction delivery, so how exactly does it do it?

BIM has its provenance in the manufacturing process and production control and has been used extensively in aircraft manufacture and shipbuilding.

For many years, the design of aircraft and ships has been represented through sophisticated 3D models that provide a massive amount of data regarding all

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aspects of production, including vital data relating to performance and operational capability.

In comparison, the construction industry has provided this data in all types of formats from paper to computer-assisted design (CAD). It is not represented within one model that can be viewed by the client and, more importantly, used by those managing the asset.

However, achieving this in the construction industry is like running before we can walk. Therefore we are at the stage of Level 2 BIM which requires project participants to share their data on a common platform or, to use the jargon, a ‘common data environment’.

In this sense, BIM is a collaborative tool.

Having all this data in one place will

enable early identification of any design clashes and access to the ‘properties’ or information relating to each element of the building or structure.

For example, details relating to shape, size, weight and cost of any part of the electrical installation will be immediately apparent.

BIM is, of course, an exciting concept and does provide for greater efficiencies especially in relating to energy requirements and also will help in achieving reductions in carbon emissions. In fact, many SELECT Member firms will no doubt have had substantial experience of BIM. But in construction, things tend not to work as smoothly as one would desire.

As I mentioned earlier, BIM is a collaborative tool since it is about sharing information. But using a collaborative tool in a non-collaborative delivery process is unlikely to work – it’s like using a Phillips screwdriver on a oneslotted screw.

The result is that, to date, BIM has not had the impact that was forecast as long ago as 2011 when the UK Government announced that, from April 2016, it was mandating Level 2 BIM. At that time the talk was about the need to involve the supply chain earlier in order to help develop the design to avoid clashes and that everybody would be exchanging all their project-related data.

Unfortunately this has not happened to the extent originally envisaged.

BIM has tended to be used in a way that is least disruptive to the current contractual structures and demarcation lines. As a result, it has tended to be used for activities such as programming and logistics or for manufacturing processes such as steel fabrication.

Implications for the electrical contractor

Any firm wishing to acquaint their workforce with BIM will find that there is a substantial amount of information on the internet.

The key issue for firms is to understand what is required of them, specifically if a project is ‘BIM-enabled’. However, as happened on one project I’m aware of,

simply stating that the project is ‘BIMenabled’ doesn’t give you any clue as to what is required.

You’ll therefore need to check a number of matters. For example: ● What data is required of you and when? ● Do you have the necessary IT support to engage with BIM? ● What access, if any, do you have to data provided by others? To what extent can you rely on the data and for what purpose? Consultants will often add the caveat that their data is for ‘information purposes only’. ● If your data comprises designs, have you sufficiently protected your intellectual property rights?

As an example of contractual pitfalls concerning the use of BIM, this clause, with my own emphasis added, is a worrying example: “This Model is made available to the user for information purposes only... the user is advised to make their own investigations and assessments as required to satisfy themselves as to the adequacy or otherwise of the Model and the user assumes full responsibility for any

loss resulting from use or inability to use the Model.”

This clause is extraordinary since, in effect, it requires the user to doublecheck some or all of the elements or data included within the relevant model, or even to re-model those elements, to reduce the risk of being liable for ‘any loss’ flowing from use of the model.

Moreover it is unlikely that the user’s professional indemnity cover will extend to the unlimited and potentially farreaching losses that could arise. So much for operating within a common data environment!

Summary

The full potential of BIM still has to be realised and, at present, it exists within a contractual framework structured around risk transfer. I would certainly be interested in hearing from SELECT firms on their experiences of BIM – whether positive or negative.

Find more guidance about BIM on the SEC Group website at www.secgroup.org.uk CABLEtalk

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FOCUS HEATING TECHNOLOGY

By Craig Herriott Area Manager (Scotland and Northern Ireland), Flexel International Ltd

A

recent report by the Committee for Climate Change called for a ban on domestic gas boilers by 2025.

The report – UK Housing: Fit for the Future? – wants the government to ensure that new homes are not connected to the gas grid and that domestic heating is decarbonised by switching to electric heating and away from gas boilers.

In his Spring Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond also said new standards should “mandate the end of fossil fuel heating systems in new homes from 2025, delivering lower carbon and lower fuel bills”.

So what is the answer to this fossil fuel problem? There are several ‘renewable’ energy solutions available in the market today including hydropower, wind power, solar power, geothermal energy and bioenergy.

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Footing the bill for home heating As house-builders look for greener ways to fuel the domestic market, could electric underfloor heating and infrared heaters be a realistic and cost-effective solution?

All of them are suitable in certain circumstances, but not all are suitable for most developments as they can be costly upfront, take up a lot of valuable land space and have high ongoing maintenance costs.

For the majority of UK builders, these options are going to be reserved for top-of-therange projects. But what about the 60-70% of other houses and flats?

An alternative is quick-fix, easy to install and no-maintenance electric underfloor heating (UFH) and infrared heaters.

The international expert

Flexel International Ltd has been manufacturing and supplying innovative electric underfloor heating systems and accessories to the world market since 1978. Its range includes UFH, ceiling heating, frost protection cables and far infrared heating panels.

As part of the Fenix Group of companies, with production facilities in the UK, France, Spain and the Czech Republic, it is now one of the largest and most influential companies involved in the manufacture and marketing of large surface area radiant heating.

Flexel exports to countries where gas imports are too expensive and electricity is the primary energy source, with its products used as a primary heat source rather than a secondary back-up system.

SIGN UP FOR FREE TRAINING SEMINAR Flexel is holding a free training session in association with SELECT on Wednesday 26 June at its factory at Glenrothes.

The seminar will cover information, installation and controls for a range of the latest Flexel products, including a live hands-on installation demonstration of EcoFloor. The session will also count towards a half day of CPD, with a certificate issued after completion if required.

To book a space on the seminar, which runs from 9.30am to 1pm, contact SELECT Training on 0131 445 5577 or e-mail training@select.org.uk

As you’d expect from a company that’s been manufacturing for over 41 years, it’s fully compliant with all current regulations and requirements, including EN 60335-2-96 and ICE 60800. And most importantly, Flexel is approved to comply with the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations.

The hottest technology

All Flexel products utilise radiant heating – also known as far infrared heating – which heats the objects in the room, rather than the air. This creates a comfortable and even heat throughout the area and also reduces drafts and dust movement, so it’s great for allergy sufferers.

Electric UFH is a highly efficient, low-cost way to heat a building or home.

Most of Flexel’s UFH systems operate at 150w per m² and use floor probes to feed back the temperature of the floor. This

allows its thermostats to be very accurate and cuts running costs by managing the floor temperature, rather than the ever-changing air temperature caused by a water-based, oil-based or electric convection heater system.

Flexel’s infrared heaters are more efficient too, with a 0.5Kw model typically the equivalent of a 1.2Kw standard electric convection heater – offering great energy savings to customers.

The company’s UFH systems can be installed under almost any surface and are completely invisible and quiet.

Unlike conventional warm water radiators, which don’t contribute to the room’s aesthetics and can take up space, a radiant floor or ceiling heating system allows more flexibility to create

the perfect living environment. In addition, Flexel works closely with an established network of approved distributors consisting of all national and independent electrical wholesalers across the UK. It also offers a free design service to ensure that electricians are able to specify the correct products and accessories for their customers.

For more information, email ch@flexel.co.uk call 07377 357 708 or go to www.flexel.co.uk

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TRAINING SITE SAFETY The Electrotechnical Site SafetyAssessment (TESSA) is a one-day SQA-approved course that aims to help nontechnical staff protect themselves on site

T

SELECT Members: £150, including VAT

he new TESSA course has been introduced by SELECT to help non-tradespeople gain an introduction to electrical site safety.

Suitable for those who access construction sites both sporadically and regularly, it has been accredited to SCQF Level 6 by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) – equivalent to level 3 on the QCF scale.

Candidates who pass the course should have the ability to: ●●Operate safely within their abilities on a construction site ●●Demonstrate good knowledge about health and safety practice ●●Demonstrate basic knowledge of the structures and mechanisms associated with regulation of electrical work.

Presented by SELECT Technical and Health & Safety staff, the course is made up of two separate parts – home study and the TESSA day course.

For home study, candidates are sent a course notes pack at least two weeks before the course. To gain the maximum benefit, it is recommended they read and study it for at least six hours.

There will be an Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment at the end of the day course, based on the information in these course notes. This will be a closed book exam.

The classroom-based TESSA day course covers: ●●Good health and safety practice on a construction site ●●The properties of electricity and their effect on the safety measures taken when working with electricity

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Keep site of safety ●●The key standards, legislation, documentation and certification for UK electrical installations ●●Practical measures to minimise the risk of electrical installations accidents ●●The purpose and scope of the Building Standards Division.

Assessments will be conducted throughout the day, consisting of workbook exercises and questions.

Successful participants will be awarded an SQA certificate acceptable to the SJIB for renewal of their ECS card.

Candidates must successfully complete BOTH the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment and the course workbook before SELECT can apply for the certificate.

Nicola Jengaenga, Employment Affairs Adviser at SELECT, said: “As technologies evolve and ways of working change, it remains vital that every person given access to a construction site knows

how to keep themselves and others safe.

Historically, the Constructions Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) ensured that everyone working on-site had a good level of health and safety knowledge.

“Non-tradespeople were able to obtain a CSCS card by having their employer endorse their skills. This has now been judged to be less than robust.

“As a result, a change of approach is now in progress, ensuring that standards of people’s capability and competence on a construction site match their role.

“Two pilots of TESSA were run in March 2019, where operatives and non-tradespeople of all levels took part in the course and gave detailed feedback on its format and content.”

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For further information or to book, please contact SELECT Training on 0131 445 5577.

TRAINING MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE

Manage like a boss As the SELECT/Napier Management Certificate prepares for its 12th year, we outline the many ways it can improve your leadership skills – and hear first-hand from some of the managers who are now putting its invaluable advice into action

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he joint SELECT/Napier Certificate in Management Practice has been running for 11 years – and new recruits are now being invited to join the 12th intake this September.

You don’t need any formal university qualifications to take part – if you’re in a management or supervisory position and you want to improve your knowledge and understanding of good management then this could be the programme for you.

The programme combines tutor-led workshops on various management themes, with students taking this knowledge back to work, trying out new techniques and writing about how it works in practice.

You don’t need to work for a big TESTIMONIAL

“It equipped me with very useful tools” I took the course because my ambition is leading me in the

company or have a big team – some current students run their own businesses, while others work in small and medium-sized organisations.

The course consists of nine workshops run over a year at SELECT and Napier University in Edinburgh, each covering a different aspect of management, including: ●●Good management skills ●●Improving communication ●●Building great teams ●●An introduction to coaching ●●Managing change ●●Recruitment ●●Motivating staff.

Students get a chance to think about their own teams and challenges they are facing, and there are opportunities to Continued on page 42 >>>

direction of management, and this seemed the perfect way to start understanding the role and responsibilities required.

As the course is reflectivebased, it helps you see where you are in certain aspects and allows you to judge how you can improve to make yourself

a better manager. It highlights many different areas, from how you deal and react to employees, right through to employment law and even how to deal properly with any mental health issues in the workplace.

These are all areas that I had

little or no knowledge of before, but they are useful tools that I now can carry forward on my journey to being a successful manager.

Neil Stout, P&A Electrical & Security Contractors, Edinburgh CABLEtalk

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TRAINING MANAGEMENT TRAINING TESTIMONIAL

Continued from page 41

“Helps to boost team morale” I’ve found this course to be of immense value – in particular, the practicebased approach. It’s not only about theory and academic concepts; you are really challenged to apply these ideas in your workplace and with your team, and then to reflect on their utility in your real-world environment.

Not only that, reflecting on one’s own strengths and development areas as a manager has the effect of making every decision and every communication more conscious and purposeful. An example of this might be understanding the proven value and power of positive verbal feedback in a team. A manager may not have realised that they have often been slow in the past to acknowledge effort and give appreciation where it was due. Having realised this, they can begin to develop a culture of acknowledging effort in meaningful ways, significantly boosting morale and fostering good relationships within the team.

Shining the spotlight on our management styles, theories, and best practice is absolutely crucial in a world of shifting workplace attitudes.

The new and unfamiliar demands and expectations of Millennials and Zillennials all but ensure that mimicking the management styles we’ve observed in days gone may not cut it.

It is often said that employees don’t leave jobs – they leave managers. This course gives you the confidence and the knowledge to manage, maintain, and build upon a strong and wellfunctioning team for years to come.

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learn from each other and take tangible ideas back to work.

The course is very practical which surprises some students, who perhaps think a university programme is all about theory and academic learning. The lecturers encourage students to share experiences and ideas, and the formal assignments inspire students to try out the things they’ve learned on their course back at work.

One successful student, James, said: “I didn’t think it would be so practical and so relevant for me. I was able to take ideas straight back and use them, which was great, and it definitely improved my management skills as a result.”

His words are echoed by some of the other people on these pages, who have also found the course extremely useful.

Further Education

The course gives you 60 university credits and successful students will be eligible to apply for further study at Edinburgh Napier University.

Information on these courses and how to apply will be provided during the management course.

Cost

The total cost is £1,905 + VAT per person. An Electrical Engineering Training Foundation (EETF) grant of £1,150 per person is available for a maximum of two students per Member company, for those eligible for the grant. The EETF has provided funding to support this programme each year since it started.

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Please contact Violette Fivet on 0131 445 5577 or e-mail violette.fivet@select.org.uk for further information.

TESTIMONIAL

“We’re all learning from each other” I’m currently doing the course and have found it excellent. The great thing is that it’s practice-based learning, so on Tuesday you’re at a lecture and on Wednesday you’re putting the things you’ve just learned into action. So it’s all fresh in your mind.

I started the programme because I’m

increasingly doing more HR tasks and dealing with people. I needed to learn procedure and protocol to deal with potentially awkward issues, and that’s exactly what the course has given me.

The networking we do as a class also helps. I’m sitting with guys from massive companies, but when you speak to them

TESTIMONIAL

“Gives a structured approach” Few managers find any time on their hands, so it’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day business issues and not take a minute to pause and think about what they’re doing, how they’re doing it and why.

However it’s just as vital for a manager to develop their skills as it is for members of their team. Managers who take part in this course benefit from both workshops, which

cover a wide range of issues that all managers need to understand, and assignments that require them to put what they learned into action.

The key element to the success of those assignments is taking time to reflect on what happened. How a manager learns to manage depends on a number of things. So they might have followed an example set by a

manager who they admire. They might have been buddied with an existing manager as they learned the ropes. Or they might have had to get on with it themselves and trust their instincts. All have potential benefits, but it’s equally easy to pick up bad practices or try to adapt to fit a good natural style into

something less comfortable. By gaining feedback and thinking about things in context, a manager can drop these bad practices.

It might be worthwhile reclaiming some time out of your busy work schedule to think about your own practice.

If you think a more structured approach would be valuable, applications are now open.

Jenny Cryans, Training Co-ordinator, SELECT

TESTIMONIAL

People are often promoted into management jobs without any preparation or training – yet the skills required to be a good electrician are different from the skills required to be a good manager.

What makes this course unique is that it’s not just about academic learning – it’s very practical.

There are nine workshops throughout the

year, each with a different theme.

Students are then encouraged to take something that they’ve learned in those workshops and put it into practice. It’s not just sitting in a classroom and then going back and carrying on doing the same things as before; it’s transferring learning back to work.

Some participants have never been to university before, so they’re a bit anxious, thinking it’ll be very academic and they’ll have to write essays and so on. But once we get into it, they realise it’s more than that – it’s about their own learning and challenging.

As programme leader, I see students on day one right through the course and see

you realise we have the same challenges.

So you learn from each other – in fact you pick up as much when you’re having lunch as you do when you’re taking notes.

I’d definitely recommend the course to other Members – it really makes you aware of diversity in the industry and how to go about things properly. One thing we’ve adopted is anonymising our application forms, so there’s nothing to influence any decision, whether it be

school, surname or gender. Instead, you just look at someone’s profile and qualifications alone.

Another thing we’ve implemented is a mental health policy and work group. We’ve sat down a couple of times now and the guys seem to get a lot out of it – it opens up conversation and makes a difference.

“Practical, not just sitting in a classroom”

a huge difference as their confidence and self-awareness grows. They recognise that the problems they face are similar to other people, so they learn a lot from each other. It’s a privilege to see a student take something from the workshop and put it into practice at work – it gives me a little warm glow knowing they wouldn’t have done it if they hadn’t been here.

What’s also great is when former students recommend it to their coworkers. Someone the other day said: “I’ve recommend this course to two other people in my office,” so it’s clearly been building up through word of mouth. The feedback we get from the participants is fantastic – it’s extremely satisfying to know that people value it so much.

Diane Peebles, Programme Leader

Things like this help our staff see that we’re thinking about their welfare and wellbeing.

Anything that’s helps boost morale and make people work better helps economically in the long run too.

Alasdair Noble, John Noble Electrical Contractors, Edinburgh CABLEtalk

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SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Launch of new range designed for value In its centenary year, MK Electric is launching a new range set to make its products more widely accessible – MK Essentials.

Designed to offer the reliability, fit and quality for which the company is known, MK Essentials offers a wide range of white switches and sockets suitable for smaller budgets, without compromising on customer expectations.

Including USB outlets, LED dimming, and Euro modules, the MK Essentials range is also expandable, as Grid frontplates from the range are compatible with MK Electric’s Grid Plus range of modules, ensuring a breadth of product to meet the needs of any project.

Developed with installers in mind, features such as backed out and captive screws ensure that MK Essentials is easy and convenient to install, with the reliability and performance expected from MK Electric products.

Backed by a 25-year guarantee, the range delivers a truly fit-and-forget solution for complete peace

of mind. From a customer perspective, the range is designed to look good, with screwless design and a high gloss finish delivering a contemporary aesthetic suited to any environment.

Emma Segelov, MK Electric’s EMEA marketing operations manager, said: “The launch of MK Essentials is significant for MK Electric.

By introducing a range designed for value, we are making our products more widely available, and ensuring we can offer a solution for every project, no matter the size.

“A value range where quality counts, MK Essentials is ideal both for projects where price matters, and for bigger developments that want a simpler solution for back-of-house areas.”

MK Essentials will be available in wholesalers nationwide, offering installers across the UK the opportunity to get the essentials right with MK Electric.

● For more information about the range, visit www.mkelectric.co.uk

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Our guide to the latest 1 CLOTHING INNOVATIONS ON DISPLAY IN THE 2019 SNICKERS WORKWEAR CATALOGUE COVER ALL THE OPTIONS Market-leading designs and the latest fabric technology innovations are on show from the world’s leading workwear brand.

The new 200-page Snickers Workwear catalogue has all you need to know about the UK’s most extensive range of working clothes for professional tradesmen and women.

There is something for every trade you can name in the range – AllroundWork, RUFFWork,

LITEWork and FLEXIWork clothing. There are trousers, jackets, tool vests, shirts, underwear, accessories and much more – plus an extensive range of EN-certified PPE working clothes.

Added to which, there’s the most innovative street-smart stretch fabrics for mobile comfort and a Layered Clothing System that ensures you can choose clothes to suit the weather on

2 MECAN UNVEILS ITS NEW FAMILY OF INNOVATIVE HIGH-END DOWNLIGHTS

Future Designs, the international designer and manufacturer of luminaires and bespoke lighting solutions, has launched its latest collection of downlight, track and spotlight systems – MECAN. MECAN has been designed specifically for hospitality, retail and high-end residential sectors as well as commercial interiors. Its ingenious and versatile design helps to create luxurious, comfortable and healthy spaces.

Developed in and based on three sizes of LED engine, MECAN

has myriad interchangeable shapes and depths of reflectors and optic lenses.

With minimal glare, MECAN can render true colours.

A selection of filter discs and reflectors create different effects, textures and ‘feels’ for lighting displays.

The versatile design allows for MECAN to be adjusted creating accurate light efficiency with an orientated rotation.

For more information, visit www.futuredesigns.co.uk

CONTACT OUR TEAM TO SHOWCASE YOUR GREAT NEW PRODUCTS HERE 44

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industry solutions site – rain or shine, wind or snow. Complemented

by Snickers’ profiling and embroidery services and the most extensive range of garment sizes, the Snickers Workwear system delivers the ultimate solution to make every man and woman’s workday easier and safer.

For more information, visit the Snickers website at www. snickersworkwear.co.uk alternatively, call the dedicated

When can true valuations be sought?

By Amy Drew Solicitor, MacRoberts Construction team

Snickers helpline on 01484 854 788.

3 CLOUD FUNCTION IN APP UPDATE FOR SCOLMORE’S CLICK SMART RANGE Scolmore has updated the app for its Click Smart range with a new feature that the company is calling the ‘cloud function’.

It will provide access to Click Smart installations over the internet, allowing secure control of devices from anywhere in the world – from dimming and switching, to sophisticated controls like live status, scenes and schedules.

Until now access to Click Smart through any smart device or tablet was only possible when you were local to the network.

With the new cloud function, it

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

doesn’t matter where in the world you are, simply get online and control your Click Smart installations using Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G. If you already have Click Smart with a Smart box, this is simply an update to the app. All previously created settings, scenes and schedules will still be available.

It provides an easy, quick and relatively inexpensive way to adapt and update a home to provide extra security, energy saving, comfort and control.

For more information, contact Scolmore on 01827 63454 or visit www.scolmore.com

David Hughes: 0131 561 0022 davidh@connectcommunications.co.uk

We’ve written about ‘smash and grab’ adjudications in light of S&T (UK) Ltd v Grove Developments Limited and the subsequent appeal.

Grove v S&T found that, although ‘smash and grab’ adjudications remain valid, parties are able to adjudicate on the true value of the payment application. This could only be done after the respondent (employer/main contractor) had paid the sum determined in the ‘smash and grab’ adjudication.

After Grove came the decision in M Davenport Builders Limited v Mr Colin Greer & Mrs Julia Greer.

Davenport sought a sum of £106,160.84 in their final account application. The Greers did not issue a payment or pay less notices, nor did they pay the sum sought.

Davenport adjudicated and were awarded the sum claimed in full, plus interest.

The Greers failed to pay.

The Greers launched a ‘true value’ adjudication in relation to the final account.

Although the adjudicator expressed concern with the true valuation adjudication in the circumstances, the adjudicator determined the true value of the final account was £867,557.54 net.

Davenport raised an action enforcing the ‘smash and grab’ decision. In response,

the Greers sought to rely on the ‘true value’ decision.

Justice Stuart-Smith found it was inconceivable the prompt payment regime could ‘trump’ the adjudication regime, both under the Housing Grants etc. Act 1996 (as amended). He concluded the respondent in a ‘smash and grab’ adjudication must discharge the obligation to pay the sum ordered before being able to ‘rely’ upon the ‘true value’ decision. Justice Stuart-Smith confirmed that although this case dealt with a final account, it didn’t lessen the need to improve cash flow in the construction industry.

This case does not appear to be authority for the proposition that a ‘true value’ adjudication can proceed when payment has not been made under an earlier ‘smash and grab’ decision. It is also unclear what will happen if the respondent in a ‘true value’ adjudication attempts to stop proceedings due to the failure to pay pursuant to an earlier ‘smash and grab’ decision.

The use of the word ‘rely’ in the context of a ‘true value’ decision may be the subject of continuing dispute.

It is unlikely to be the last case asking these questions.

● To find out more, email amy.drew@macroberts. com or call 0141 303 1100.

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DIARY MEMBERS / EVENTS / COMPETITION GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Yvonne Wilson Specifier and Client Manager

Hello Yvonne. How long have you been at SELECT? I will have been here five years this August, but have just started in my new role as Specifier and Client Manager.

What were you doing before you joined SELECT? Tell us a bit about your background and how you got here.

I worked in the distribution industry for more than 13 years, working in roles from Regional Learning & Development Advisor to Customer Service Manager.

After taking redundancy and a year off I wanted a new challenge within a different sector and found my role at SELECT. What does your job entail?

Tell us a bit more about what you do…

My role is to connect with clients and specifiers throughout the industry.

I also facilitate the Local Authority Forums and the health and safety forum for the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group (Scotland).

LOCAL EVENTS Toolbox Talk – Oban The Wide Mouthed Frog, Tuesday 11 June Toolbox Talk – Isle of Islay The Bridgend Hotel, Wednesday 12 June 46

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Quickfire Questions Cheese or chocolate?

Cheese Dog or cat?

Dog – I have four First car owned?

Ford Fiesta Favourite film?

Lots! Mostly comedies Favourite TV show?

The Big Bang Theory – I love anything that makes me laugh.

Favourite hols spot?

Singapore. I lived there for three years when I was 18 Dream date?

Gerard Butler One thing folk might not know about you?

I used to be a very good water skier

Toolbox Talk – Orkney Pickaquoy Centre, Tuesday 18 June Toolbox Talk – Shetland The Lerwick Hotel, Wednesday 19 June SELECT Awards 2019 Glasgow, Friday 11 October

Helping to raise the profile of SELECT is an important part of my role, along with attending SECG (Scotland) meetings and assisting in various political engagements.

What’s a typical day like for you at work? Tell us about some of the things you do in an average day in the SELECT office...

It depends on what I have on that day. Generally it begins with emails and ensuring I have everything I need for the meeting or event that I’m attending next, followed by planning and arranging future appointments. For example, as I’m based at home, I started today on my emails, before heading into the SELECT office at The Walled Garden for the Local Authority Forum, which took up most of my day. Then it was liaising with the office about the event materials I required for a weekend conference that we were exhibiting at.

Do you get the chance to meet SELECT Members?

As I previously worked as a Membership Representative, I’ve met a lot of Members over the years and it’s the part of the job that I love.

Luckily, this will continue in my new role.

What do you know now that you didn’t before working at SELECT? Did you know much about the electrical industry beforehand?

I had absolutely no idea about the electrical industry prior to starting at SELECT. I certainly wasn’t aware that anyone could pass themselves off as an electrician without gaining any form of qualification. I now know that it takes time and a lot of training for an apprentice to become a qualified electrician.

What do you find most enjoyable about your job?

That’s easy – meeting people! ● Email Yvonne on yvonne. wilson@select.org.uk or call 0131 445 5577.

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Dumfries & Galloway Branch Meeting Dumfries College, Stranraer, Tuesday 15 October

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Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch Meeting West College Scotland, Thursday 17 October

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Congratulations to Anne Craib from West End Electrical Ltd, who won the TV programmes wordsearch in our April/May issue. Anne wins a £50 Amazon voucher.

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Here’s the chance to win a fantastic £50 Amazon voucher with our fun wordsearch. Find the various music events listed above right, take a picture of your finished grid and email it to memberservices@select.org.uk by 12 July 2019. Or cut it out and send it to: Wordsearch, SELECT, The Walled Garden, Bush Estate, Midlothian EH26 0SB. The winner will be drawn at random. Terms and conditions are online.

Edinburgh & South East Branch Meeting Buccleuch Arms, St Boswells, Tuesday 22 October Inverness & North of Scotland Branch Meeting Mansefield Hotel, Elgin, Thursday 24 October

31 OCT

ABERD EE EAST BN & NORTH RA MEETINNCH G

Ayrshire Branch Meeting Ayr Campus, Ayrshire College, Tuesday 29 October Aberdeen & North East Branch Meeting Tullos Training Centre, Aberdeen, Thursday 31 October

Lanarkshire Branch Meeting DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Strathclyde, Bellshill, Wednesday 6 November Tayside Branch Meeting The Red House Hotel, Blairgowrie, Perthshire Thursday 7 November CABLEtalk

JUNE/JULY 2019

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