Issuu

October/November 2019 £4.50

Making his Marc Talented Marc McQuade wins Apprentice of the Year at SELECT Awards

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SELECT AWARDS 2019 16-PAGE SPECIAL All the results and excitement from the night

CONTENTS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019 OPINION

Alan Wilson on what needs to be done about payment problems

NEWS

The latest goings on at SELECT and the wider electrical industry

Discover what SELECT has been up to recently across the country

FEATURES

COVER STORY

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The Edinburgh Electrical Society prepares to mark its centenary

Why Foundation Apprenticeships are another way to find new talent

Fire chief David Dourley reveals common risks inside homes

TRAINING

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All the news and photos from this year’s SELECT Awards

Thumbs-up for TESSA and new Glen Dimplex ventilation course Youngsters get a taste of life as an electrician thanks to SECTT

TECHNICAL

FEATURES

Central Board visit Dundee’s stunning V&A museum

FOCUS

Discover the right way to work out holiday pay

MANAGING EDITOR Iain Mason iain.mason@select.org.uk EDITOR Sarah Wolstencroft sarah.w@connectcommunications.co.uk 0141 560 3022

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

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Ryan Swinney ryan@connectcommunications.co.uk

CABLEtalk is produced by Connect Publications on behalf of SELECT connectcommunications.co.uk

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What you need to know about the latest green innovations We explore the benefits of foundation earth electrodes

FOCUS

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Rudi Klein gives his verdict on the Prompt Payment Code’s problems Len Bunton explains how to avoid getting caught in costly disputes

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Discover the latest innovative gadgets and stylish workwear

DIARY

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Upcoming events, meet Teresa McDermott and £50 wordsearch OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

COMMENT

Money makes the world go round

meeting recently with Paul Uppal, the Small Business Commissioner*, highlighted our continuing campaign to address issues over late and reduced payments which have become commonplace across the construction industry. The meeting followed on from research that SELECT and other trade bodies had recently carried out and which illustrated the effect to which businesses are suffering from poor payment performance. In the study, businesses were asked to indicate whether there were any noticeable differences in the payment performance between the public and private sector clients. While expecting that public bodies would operate in an exemplar fashion, the research showed that more than 60% of them amended payment provisions in the standard forms of construction contract, which often involved extending the payment cycles. The figure for the private sector was 69%. To compound matters, just 28% of firms surveyed reported that they were paid by public bodies within 30 days, while in the private sector the figure was only 24%. This failure to pay contractors on time creates serious knock-on problems in the economy, as well as becoming a major contributory factor to the mental strain imposed upon owners and directors

“If we are serious in the industry about tackling this issue then we need real leadership and we need to be brave and decisive” of Scotland’s SME businesses, the lifeblood of the Scottish economy. At the time the research was issued, Tessa Ogle, CEO of the Electrical Industry Charity (EIC), said: “The impact of late payments is having an increasingly damaging impact to mental health and wellbeing in the sector. “Last year, 87% of people using the EIC’s mental health services reported having significant financial issues. “We can no longer look at this as just a monetary issue – the health implications to the sector are significant.” It is clear that late or reduced payment can no longer be viewed in isolation as a consequence of running a business. It has much wider consequences, including impacting on our nation’s health and welfare. So we know the problem, but what are the solutions? Well there is already legislation in place, which – if used properly – could help. The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act

2014 requires public bodies to monitor payments down the supply chain to make sure that payment is made within 30 days. If this was properly policed and enforced then payments would speed up. In addition, the Scottish Government reduced the level at which project bank accounts (PBAs) should be used on public sector jobs from £4.1 million to £2 million. As well as speeding up payments, use of a PBA ensures that payments to all suppliers are secure. Insisting that all public bodies use PBAs would also help. Finally, we support 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. We need a stick as well as a carrot. If we are serious in the industry about tackling this issue, we need real leadership and we need to be brave and decisive. I have high hopes that the Small Business Commissioner will prove to be all of these.

Alan Wilson Managing Director, SELECT

* The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC) was launched in December 2017 to ensure fair payment practices for Britain’s small businesses, and support them in resolving their payment disputes with larger businesses and bring about culture change.

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NEWS SELECT The Walled Garden, Bush Estate Midlothian EH26 0SB Tel: 0131 445 5577 Fax: 0131 445 5548 admin@select.org.uk Follow SELECT online at:  TWITTER @Updates_SELECT @Training_SELECT @Regulate_SELECT  FACEBOOK SELECT.TheECAofS

 

Visit our websites at:

select.org.uk select.org.uk/training cabletalkmagazine.com selectawards.co.uk

Please phone our membership team on 0131 445 5577 to apply to become a Member of SELECT or if you would like more information about joining. Alternatively you can email us on memberservices@select.org.uk or submit an online enquiry.

VAT reverse charge delay gets thumbs-up

ELECT and other major construction industry bodies have hailed the decision by the UK Government to delay major changes to the VAT regime. The announcement of a one-year extension to the launch of the reverse charge was met with a widespread positive response from leading UK trade bodies, which had written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking for a delay to the plans amid fears of a negative impact on the industry. SELECT was among 15 organisations which pressed for a postponement of at least six months to implementation for building and construction services. The measures – which mean the customer receiving the service will have to pay the VAT due to HMRC instead of paying the supplier – were originally intended to come into force in October 2019, but will now be introduced in October 2020. Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “Along with other organisations which wrote to Chancellor Sajid Javid, we are pleased that the serious concerns we raised have been listened to and acted upon. “If the changes had been implemented precipitately, they could have further increased the burden on construction employers and seriously restricted cashflow.

“We are pleased that the serious concerns we raised have been listened to and acted upon” “Another year will give SELECT member businesses and other companies in the construction sector the breathing space they need to alter their systems and processes.” A spokesperson for the VAT Serious Non-Compliance and Policy Team said: “The Government has listened to the concerns raised by industry representatives and recognises that some businesses in the construction sector require more time to implement the VAT domestic reverse charge.” The change will mean businesses which are both VAT and Construction Industry Scheme registered will no longer pay VAT to the majority of their subcontractors. Instead, it will only be paid to firms who supply only labour and to the merchants and businesses that sell building materials without any fix.

NEW MEMBERS

14 firms have become SELECT Members since August 2019

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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DSB Electrical Services, Lanarkshire

Park Electrical (Scotland) Ltd, Tayside

2 Core Electrics Ltd, Lanarkshire

Cross Electrical Contracting, Lanarkshire

J H Johnstone & Sons, Dumfries and Galloway

Summit Facilities Services Ltd, Tayside

M2 Electrical and Data Services Ltd, Glasgow and West of Scotland

AYE Allan Young Electrical, Ayrshire Loreburn Housing Association, Byers Brae Electrical Ltd, Dumfries and Galloway Glasgow and West of Scotland A.T. Electrical, Lanarkshire Complete Electrical Solutions MGB Services Ltd, (Scotland), Tayside Lanarkshire Novus Elements Ltd,

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Aberdeen and North East Scotland

SELECT welcomes fab four to the team

ELECT has welcomed four new colleagues to The Walled Garden as we continue to refine and expand our many Member services. Experienced marketing professional Linda Rolfe joined the team on 2 September as our new Events, Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator, replacing Demi Armstrong. Based at our HQ in Penicuik, Linda’s duties will include curating the SELECT website and social media channels, and organising our many popular events, including the SELECT Awards Fiona and our Toolbox Talks. Robertson Linda said: “I can’t wait to hit the well and am looking road and meet our Members at as forward to helping the many events as possible. We’ve already Technical team continue its started planning next year’s Toolbox excellent work across Scotland.” Talks and I’m sure the topics will be of Also starting in September was Fiona great practical help to Members.” Robertson, who has joined the SELECT Another new recruit is Susie Liddle, team as a Training Administrator. who joined SELECT as a Technical The fourth new SELECT recruit Services Administrator in August. is Alan Paul, who works as a part-time Susie, who will also be based in IT Co-ordinator, offering help and Penicuik, said: “I’ve settled in really support to staff across The Walled

Member discount on health and safety courses SELECT is now offering special discounted health and safety courses as part of our partnership with Training Plus. Special Member rates are available on a range of sessions, including: ●●IPAF – all categories ●●PASMA towers ●●working at height and harnesses ●●emergency first aid at work ●●manual handling ●●asbestos awareness ●●ladder training. Training Plus offers a choice of more than 350 different classroom and online courses, and runs

daily sessions at its training centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. For more information, please email Training Plus offers a wide range of courses

SELECT Training Manager Jenny Cryans on jenny. cryans@select.org.uk or you can call 0131 445 5577.

Linda, Alan and Susie

Garden. The new starters’ arrival at SELECT follows the appointment of four other staff over the summer in the Membership and Technical teams. Alan Wilson, SELECT Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Linda, Susie, Fiona and Alan as we continue to refine and improve the working practices that enable us to offer the best possible service to our Members.”

New look for news Our monthly SELECT e-newsletter has been given a facelift and a new name – Switched On. The more modern design is now easier to read, with a bite-sized summary of each item, linking to a longer version if you want to read more. As well as a round-up of all the important issues, it includes details of training courses, special offers and benefits. If you don’t yet receive the e-newsletter, please email Member. Services@ select.org.uk

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NEWS REGULATION

ELECT’s ongoing campaign for regulation of the electrical industry has been boosted by the backing of seven more high-profile politicians. MPs Stephen Kerr and Philippa Whitford and MSPs Stewart Stevenson, Alexander Burnett, Colin Beattie, Graham Simpson and John Mason have added their names to our Wall of Support, which shows those supporting the crusade for Protection of Title. In his ‘brick’ on the wall, Mr Kerr, Tory MP for Stirling, said: “I would encourage all elected representatives to support this campaign. Electricians are highly skilled professionals who undergo a thorough qualification process. That professionalism is vital to ensure work is carried out safely and to the standards required. “There are far too many instances of shoddy work having dreadful consequences. The success of this campaign will be to ensure that can no longer happen.” Dr Whitford, SNP MP for Central Ayrshire, said: “I am happy to add my name to SELECT’s Wall of Support. “As householders are being discouraged from carrying out electrical work on a DIY basis, it is important that anyone they employ to carry out the work is appropriately qualified.” Mr Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, also gave his backing to our #BackTheBrick campaign, saying: “I am delighted to add my support to SELECT’s newest campaign urging for the regulation of all electricians in Scotland. It is

Latest boost for our campaign important both for safety and professionalism that we ensure anyone calling themselves an electrician holds appropriate qualifications. “Introducing a Title of Recognition will create greater trust between consumers and industry and should be standard practice in all types of construction work.” Fellow SNP MSP Mr Beattie, who represents Midlothian North and Musselburgh, said: “Putting regulations like this in place is not only vital for

John Mason is backing our Wall of Support bid

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making Scotland’s homes safer, but also for supporting the industry and those who work within it. “It is of great importance that those who are properly trained and qualified in the field are the ones that we trust to cater for Scottish homes. Ensuring that they are certified not only guarantees that they are competent to do the work, but also strengthens the entire sector.” Voicing his support, Mr Burnett, Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, added: “The privilege of calling

TAKE ACTION NOW TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC SELECT, NICEIC and the SJIB have all welcomed the Scottish Government’s pledge to publish a consultation on regulation – and

urged them to make it happen soon.They immediately endorsed the announcement in the 2019-20 Programme for Government in

September, which also included the assurance of a campaign to make it easier for consumers to find qualified electricians. NICEIC Managing Director

View the SELECT Wall of Support at bit.ly/selectwallof support

Alexander Burnett, above, and left, SELECT President Kevin Griffin with Colin Beattie

SELECT Immediate Past President Eric Rae and Stephen Kerr

yourself an electrician should be limited to those who are qualified at this highly skilled profession. “Not only will this prevent rogue traders from carrying out work that could be unsafe, but it could also help reduce costs to the consumer by preventing further repairs required on shoddy work.” Mr Simpson, Conservative MSP for Central Scotland, said: “Poor quality electrical work causes huge dangers to homes and business across Scotland. It

Kevan Parker said: “This adds further momentum to our commitment to improve safety.” Fiona Harper, Secretary of the SJIB, added: “ It is another step on the road to

FIONA SPEAKS UP FOR SAFETY

Regulation would have a significant uplift on the economy and drive massive improvements in public safety, SELECT’s Fiona Harper recently told radio listeners. Appearing on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland show, our Head of Employment Affairs told presenter Andrew Black why change must come sooner rather than later. She said: “In Scotland at this moment anyone can call themselves an electrician and carry out electrical work. If you decided tomorrow, Andrew, that radio is no longer for you, you could buy a van, call yourself an electrician, and it wouldn’t be against the law. “But electrical installation is what is described as a safety-

critical activity. It’s always important that installations are safe, because if not, they can result in injury or death. “Some faults lie hidden for years, lurking behind a socket, under a floorboard or hidden in a wall, just waiting for a combination of circumstances for a flashpoint to occur.” During her appearance on 19 September, Fiona, who is also The Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), said up to 16% of all domestic electricians in Scotland are either unqualified or under-qualified. She said: “We estimate that upskilling training would cost Fiona Harper around

is therefore vital to ensure that only properly trained and suitably qualified people carry out such work.” Meanwhile, Mr Mason, SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, added: “I am very happy to add my name in support of SELECT’s campaign. “Having registered tradesmen with recognised accredited qualifications is essential for safety and peace of mind.” The backing comes as cross-party support for the campaign grows. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie,

protecting the reputation of qualified electricians”. But SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson warned: “We want to see it come to fruition as soon as possible.”

£1,000 per person, so if that meant 10,000 unqualified or underqualified people, that’s about £2 million. “But the benefit to the Scottish economy would be huge. We have made a cautious estimate of the net benefits to Scotland from proper, recognised, regulated electricians of around £58 million. “By upskilling the workforce and regulating the playing field we would inevitably reduce damage caused by faulty work, there would be fewer injuries and deaths and better-functioning installations – but most importantly, consumers would be happier and safer.”

and SNP MSP Clare Adamson have added their names, along with Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston and the Greens’ Alison Johnstone. Politicians also voiced their support when SELECT visited the SNP conference in Edinburgh in April and the Scottish Conservatives’ get-together in Aberdeen in May. The issue has now progressed through the Scottish Parliament and a Member’s Bill is being prepared for discussion. SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson said: “We are grateful to all these politicians for backing our campaign to make electrician a regulated profession.” Other bodies that have contributed a brick to the wall include the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), Unite the Union, Electrical Safety First, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Scottish Association of Landlords, the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group and the Energy Saving Trust. CABLEtalk

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NEWS UPDATES Bluesky and Crystal become one pension scheme The Bluesky pension scheme is merging with its sister scheme, The Crystal Trust, to become one scheme from January 2020 onwards. This single, larger scheme will offer a new website, a more streamlined structure and improved member tools, and will also generate long-term cost efficiencies. The Bluesky scheme will now be wound up and all benefits reassigned to a special section of Crystal. If you’re a contributor, the only change you’ll see is a Crystal logo beside the Bluesky brand. Bluesky Chair Tony Filbin said: “Both sets of Trustees have been working behind the scenes to make this process as smooth as possible. “In reality, pension holders will not notice any difference in the dayto-day operation. The amount of any fund and where it is invested will remain unchanged, as will investment options, fees and contact details. “The Nomination Form, which indicates your wishes if you die, remains valid and our relationship with SELECT remains unchanged.” The new structure will see a number of improvements including: ●●new member website with additional online functionality ●●retirement drawdown options built within the scheme ●●additional financial support and education. Mr Filbin said: “SELECT Members with an existing Bluesky pension will be part of a scheme that has 2,500 employers, 85,000 members and more than £500million of contributions under management.” Updates will be released over the next few months.

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Risk assessments hit the 100 mark

ore than 100 SELECT Members are using the free risk assessment software provided in partnership with the Building Safety Group (BSG). An increasing number of firms are making the most of the simpleto-use templates to complete online assessments to help their business remain compliant with HSE regulations. More than 80 different types of assessments are available with each template pre-configured with its own set of unique control measures relevant

For further information, call 0333 321 8208 or email penadmin@ evolvepensions.co.uk

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to the hazard being assessed. Users simply apply a risk rating for each hazard appraised, using BSG’s 5×5 evaluation matrix. This automatically calculates scores based on risk severity and likelihood, and users can then apply a residual risk rating once the control measures have been considered. Dave Forrester, Head of Technical at SELECT, said: “The BSG risk assessment software is a fantastic tool that is already making life easier for our Members across Scotland. We are delighted to have reached the 100-user mark.” SELECT Members can register for free softward access by visiting BSG’s website.

SELECT declarations go digital SELECT declarations have gone digital as we continue to cut paperwork to make life easier for Members. Thanks to our new online system, all Member declarations can now be submitted to SELECT via email, replacing the multiple forms which previously needed to be filled out by hand and posted. The new process

will see an email sent to principal representatives at companies with a turnover of £100,000 and more. Reps can reply with their turnover details, with an optional declaration form attached. The document has been further simplified by removing all the levy rate information. Instead, a link is included which directs

readers to the membership fees section of our website. Lorraine Miller, Senior Finance Assistant at SELECT, said: “This system is easier to understand, with less information required to be sent back. “It saves on postage, there’s less paper, it’s more accurate and there’s a quicker return time.”

New BESCA partnership

collaboration with the Building Engineering Services Competence Assessment (BESCA) will allow SELECT Members to apply for membership of its Competent Person Scheme (CPS). SELECT has signed a recognition deed with the certification body to set out the terms under which electrical contractors who are SELECT Members can apply for the BESCA CPS. This means Members carrying out controlled services work in England and Wales will be able to self-certify that their works comply with the building regulations, without the need to notify

Building Control in advance or incur costly local authority inspection fees. SELECT Members will be subject to an exclusive application process involving an initial document and technical review by BESCA – part of the wider BESA Group. Members will also benefit from: ●●reduced BESCA scheme fees ●●fast track membership due to

technical requirements of the scheme being met by SELECT’s technical competence assessment of Members. Head of Technical Services at SELECT, Dave Forrester, said: “This is a very welcome development for SELECT Members that means they can continue to work across the UK. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with BESCA to ensure the standard of domestic electrical installation work remains high.” BESCA’s Director of Certification, Rachel Davidson, added: “We are delighted to finalise this collaboration. Both our organisations will reap the benefits of this great new partnership. “This also benefits the industry as a whole. The Hackitt review called for greater proof of competence and compliance. Helping demonstrate the assessment and competence of SELECT Members joining the CPS scheme goes a long way towards achieving this.”

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NEWS UPDATES SELECT’s Keith Hagan

Technical knowledge on show at Meet the Buyer

ELECT played a starring role at the recent Meet the Buyer North event, delivering important messages about safety and regulation. As the first trade association to join the Supplier Development Programme (SDP), our membership saw us invited to the exhibition at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort on 4 September. Attended by more than 560 suppliers with 41 exhibiting organisations, the event’s headline partners included

Keith at our stand

the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Throughout the day there were various speakers including SELECT’s own Technical Adviser, Keith Hagan, who talked about the new regulations on fire detection and fire alarm systems in dwellings in Scotland. Yvonne Wilson, Specifier and Client Relations Manager at SELECT, said: “Our stand was extremely busy throughout the day, with lots of people wanting to know more about SELECT and our current campaign for regulation. “It became particularly busy following Keith’s presentation, with lots of technical questions to be answered. “As well as speaking to current Members, we created lots of new connections, so it really was a positive event all round.” SELECT will be presenting at the next SDP Meet the Buyer event on 13 November at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Tickets are free and available from www. sdpscotland.co.uk/events SDP will also be delivering the first in a series of workshops at the SELECT offices on 19 November. Members will begin to look at the tender process in detail at a Level 1 (Beginner) workshop, which will deliver the knowledge needed to start bidding for public contracts.

For details, or to book, email Yvonne at yvonne. wilson@select.org.uk or call 0131 445 5577.

SJIB celebrate in style with 50th party at castle The Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a glittering banquet at Edinburgh Castle. Members and special guests will assemble at the imposing landmark on Thursday 21 November to celebrate five decades of achievement. Fiona Harper, 12

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The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “Preparations for the event began last year. “As with any celebration, everything starts to ramp up in the last few weeks and we are now making final preparations to ensure the evening is a great success.” Founded in 1969 by Unite the Union and SELECT, the

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SJIB’s role includes regulating between employers and employees, stimulating industry progress and controlling levels of skill, health and safety competence and wages and welfare benefits. A full report of the evening will appear in the next edition of CABLEtalk.

No deal CPR guidance revealed SELECT has welcomed new advice that confirms how Construction Products Regulation (CPR) could be affected by a no deal Brexit. The UK Government has announced that if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal on 31 October, EU CPR will be retained and a UK-based system will operate, with identical European harmonised standards and UK designated standards. Notified UK bodies currently operating under CPR will be granted ‘approved body’ status and listed on a new database. Where such a body has undertaken conformity assessment activity against UK designated standards, the manufacturer must affix a UKCA marking. Goods affixed with a compliant CE marking on the UK market before exit day will be able to continue to circulate in

Making managers

the UK. Additionally, goods which are made and assessed against EU harmonised standards and carry a compliant CE marking can continue to be placed on the UK market. It is intended that these arrangements will be for a time-limited period and sufficient notice will be given to economic operators before that period ends. Dave Forrester, Head of Technical at SELECT, said: “In a time of uncertainty, this confirmation of how CPR will be dealt with is welcome news. “If SELECT Members have any further queries, we are happy to help.”

For more information, see the latest update on www.gov.uk which also includes details about manufactured goods.

Fourteen new recruits have completed their induction day and taken their places on the twelfth Effective Manager programme run by SELECT and Edinburgh Napier University. The candidates will now spend the next year working with the university to improve and develop their management skills and knowledge. Diane Peebles, Programme Leader, said: “We have an enthusiastic group who will come together once a month to learn about management. “Having the privileged position of seeing students join us on day one right through to the end of the programme, I see their confidence, self-awareness and knowledge increase. They learn as much from each other as from the tutors.”

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NEWS BEHIND THE SCENES As ever, SELECT staff have been working hard on Members’ behalf during the past few months. Here are some highlights – and some social news too

INVERNESS Technical Adviser Stuart McKelvie delivered a talk on EICR form filling and changes to BS 5839-6:2019 in Inverness on 17 September. The regional meeting was organised by Simply Let for members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents and National Association of Estate Agents. It was such a success, Stuart has also been asked to speak at the Edinburgh meeting on 7 November.

Jenny and her family during Ben Nevis trek BEN NEVIS Training Manager Jenny Cryans helped raise more than £5,750 for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity by climbing Ben Nevis with family and friends on 27 July. The trek came after her niece, Dana, was treated by the hospital when she got sepsis from a burn in August 2018. Jenny said: “Fortunately she pulled through and is now back to her usual self, but without the support of the hospital, things could have been so much different.”

PORT GLASGOW Managing Director Alan Wilson, Head of Technical Services Dave Forrester and Technical Standards Adviser Bob Cairney joined members of the Electrotechnical Committee for a tour of the Sangamo factory in Port Glasgow on 11 September.

NEWS FROM OUR HQ

Star baker Jenny

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about emergency lighting at a Local Authority Forum at The Walled Garden on 18 September.

THE WALLED GARDEN SELECT staff raised funds for Macmillan Cancer Support after organising a charity bake-off at The Walled Garden in Penicuik on 1 October as part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. A special prize was also awarded to Training Manager Jenny Cryans for being star baker.

THE WALLED GARDEN Stuart also delivered a talk about Fire Detection BS 5839-6:2019 at a Local Authority Engineers Forum at The Walled Garden on 25 September.

THE WALLED GARDEN Technical Adviser Stuart McKelvie gave a presentation

THE WALLED GARDEN A new pedestrian walkway was painted on to the Tarmac at

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The Walled Garden in September, signposting a safe route through the car park.

Walking route

FRASERBURGH As part of an ongoing consultation into the Electrical Installation SVQ and Modern Apprentice Framework, Head of Employment Affairs Fiona Harper visited employers and training providers in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fraserburgh and Alloa throughout September to canvass their opinions.

ABERDEEN & MOTHERWELL Specifier and Client Relations Manager Yvonne Wilson helped organise two SEC Group Scotland seminars about avoiding payment problems at the Aberdeen Altens Hotel on 24 September and the Dakota Hotel, Motherwell, on 25 September. Delivered by Professor Rudi Klein, Len Bunton and Angus Pearson, both were well attended by SELECT Members.

ACROSS THE UK LONDON Head of Technical Services Dave Forrester flew to London on 3 October to deliver his input into the European Technical Information Model at an Advisory Board Meeting of the Electrical Distributors’ Association. LONDON Head of Employment Affairs Fiona Harper travelled to London to attend meetings of the Labour Relations Committee and JIB National Board on 10 and 11 September respectively. KENT Head of Resources John McGhee visited Swanley in Kent on 30 September and 1 October for a two-day meeting about the upcoming merger between the Bluesky pension scheme and Crystal Trust.

CRIEFF Technical Standards Adviser Bob Cairney was a guest speaker at the ASCP Safety and Compliance Conference in Crieff on 26 September, where he discussed measures to mitigate the effects of fire in an electrical installation.

FIFE & TAYSIDE Technical Adviser Keith Hagan chatted to Members from the Fife and Tayside region at a special drop-in session at the Broxden Farm pub in Perth on 16 September.

ST ANDREWS Specifier and Client Relations Manager Yvonne Wilson and Immediate Past President Eric Rae discussed SELECT’s work with delegates as we joined exhibitors at the COSLA Conference in St Andrews on 10 and 11 October.

EDINBURGH Head of Employment Affairs Fiona Harper attended the second skills group meeting of the Construction Scotland Industry Leadership Group, held at the ISC Laboratories in Edinburgh on 26 September.

GALASHIELS Head of Technical Services Dave Forrester represented SELECT at a get-together organised by Landlord Accreditation Scotland and Scottish Borders Council, answering queries from landlords and letting agents in Galashiels on 8 October.

THE WALLED GARDEN

EDINBURGH Managing Director Alan Wilson joined SEC Group Scotland members including Ken Lewandoswki and Andrew Renwick to meet Paul Uppal, the Small Business Commissioner, at the Scottish Parliament on 24 September.

interview about regulation on 19 September. EDINBURGH Employment Affairs Administrator Nicola Walker ran her very first 5k when she took part in the Cancer Research UK Race For Life in Holyrood, Edinburgh, on 23 June. She completed the course in 65 minutes.

EDINBURGH Fiona Harper also visited BBC Radio Scotland’s Edinburgh studios for an CABLEtalk

Andrew Renwick, Alan Wilson, Paul Uppal, Ken Lewandowski

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FEATURES THE BIG INTERVIEW

Fired up about safety

By Stewart McRobert

hen it comes to electrical safety in the home, overloading is Scotland’s most common fire risk. That’s the experience of firefighters who undertake thousands of free Home Fire Safety Visits across the country every year. The warning comes from David Dourley, Head of Fire Investigation at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). He said: “Overloading of electrical outlets is the issue that we see most in homes. “Often, householders have a block adapter with a TV, satellite/cable box and DVD player plugged into it. In turn, that adapter is daisy chained on to another that feeds other devices. We are working hard to educate people about the dangers that set-up poses.” Firefighters are able to gather this information, and details of other potential fire risks, thanks to the Home Fire Safety Visit programme, a free service that SFRS runs across Scotland. “We have a comprehensive programme where we try to identify the most vulnerable and most at-risk people,” said David. “We provide them with a free Home Fire Safety Visit where, among other things, we look at lifestyle factors, the ways people can exit their home in an emergency and potential ignition sources.” A thorough list of items is checked over during the visit, including cooking appliances, consumer units, leads and

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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is one of SELECT’s most important partners. Here, the organisation’s Head of Fire Investigations, David Dourley, tells CABLEtalk about some of the essential work they carry out

sockets. David added: “We give people advice on how to calculate overloading and, where it’s necessary, we recommend replacing items that present a potential hazard to them.”

Workmanship

The good news from an electrical contractor’s point of view is that David and his colleagues rarely see poor workmanship during the visits, and they’re active in making sure that remains the case. He said: “We’re part of several working groups that help to highlight the risks

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posed by people who are not properly qualified to carry out electrical work. “That approach feeds into our Home Fire Safety Visits. We advise people to make sure anyone they employ is fully qualified to carry out electrical work.” The Service’s responsibilities are not limited to domestic advice; its remit also includes auditing the fire precautions in place at commercial premises. “We review the processes and procedures for risk assessment, electrical

SETTING THE STANDARD New safety standards on fire and smoke detectors come into effect during 2021. Following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, the Scottish Government set up a ministerial working group to review Scotland’s building and fire safety regulations. Now, new

standards have been laid out for people’s homes. They require: ●● one smoke alarm in the room most frequently used for daytime living ●●one smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings

●●one heat alarm in every kitchen. All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked. Carbon monoxide detectors should also be fitted where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires, heaters and stoves) or a flue.

David Dourley

HOW YOU CAN HELP

David had a message for SELECT Members about how they can help cut the risk of fire. He said: “If you’re working in a house or property and you spot an issue that makes you think your client would benefit from a fire safety check, please talk to them and direct them to our website. “Look out for indicators such as the lifestyle choices being made, electrical faults caused by overloading, or a lack of smoke detectors, which provide the early warning to help save lives. “Unfortunately, you can’t refer individuals directly, but you can have a word with the occupiers, give them initial advice based on your expertise and point them in our direction for a Home Fire Safety Visit.”

test certification, staff training, fire escapes, fire extinguishers and so on,” explained David. “It’s our task to examine electrical safety to see if the appropriate testing has been done, what vital checks are being carried out and the company’s awareness of its electrical system.” In the vast majority of cases, David and his colleagues receive a warm welcome. He said: “Most people are glad to receive fire safety advice. “Those in commercial premises appreciate our help because they have legislative duties they need to be aware of, and need to comply with. However, while ours is an advice service first and foremost, we’re also ready to enforce compliance if firms are not meeting their duties.”

Consequences

Looking ahead, he predicted the new standard in smoke detection, which comes into effect from 2021, will have an impact on every property, domestic or otherwise. As a result, there will be a knock-on effect for the electrical sector. This will have an inevitable

“We advise people to make sure that anyone they employ is fully qualified to carry out electrical work” impact on the provision and installation of equipment, as well as subsequent testing and maintenance. Meantime, SFRS continues to spread the fire safety message by participating in working groups that also include SELECT, Electrical Safety First, the Scottish Government and Trading Standards Scotland. The working groups have helped to initiate and implement a series of campaigns focusing on issues such

as the safe use of white goods. That specific campaign will soon be expanded to cover second-hand white goods and the group itself will see its area of responsibility extended to include all electrical appliances. David said: “We’ll be able to look at the number of fire incidents associated with items such as hair straighteners, televisions and most other common electrical appliances. “Every campaign is evaluated and it’s our aim to see an improvement in the relevant safety statistics by influencing and changing human behaviours. “It’s vital for us to work in partnership groups that include organisations like SELECT. Different bodies have access to different types of information and by sharing our insights we can get the right messages out to the right people.”

For information on fire safety, see the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk CABLEtalk

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

FEATURES SOCIETY CENTENARY

Celebrating 100 The Edinburgh Electrical Society opens up its archives to CABLEtalk to reveal pride in its past and hope for the future

By Stewart McRobert

ne of Scotland’s most revered electrical associations is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary – amid concerns about its long-term future. The Edinburgh Electrical Society began life in 1919 as The Electric Club. It was formed after the use of electricity became more widespread and the technology involved became of interest not just to universities, but to professionals involved in the sector. The Society, as it soon renamed itself, was founded with a simple objective; ‘to afford members an opportunity to increase their knowledge of the practice and theory of electrical engineering by lectures, reading of papers, discussions and

“It’s fascinating to see the changes that have taken place even just in the present members’ lifetimes” Alex Lumsden visits to works’. Current Secretary Alex Lumsden said: “The objectives set out by the members 100 years ago are still the same today. “The intention was to have meetings about subjects that were of interest even to those who have had little opportunity of learning electrical practices.” There have been hundreds of meetings, visits and events since the first get together was held in the Free Gardeners Hall in Picardy Place. In a

move that guarantees its place in the recorded history of the capital, the Society’s activities are documented in files now stored in Edinburgh Central Library. They show the initial meeting took place on 12 November 1919, with members paying an annual subscription of five shillings – today it’s £10 a year. Two weeks later, the first committee was formed. Mr T S Munnoch was the inaugural President, while the name The Edinburgh Electrical Society was

LOOKING BACK AND MOVING FORWARD For a significant part of their long and varied careers, Alex Lumsden and Ian Dale have been enthusiastic supporters of the Society. Alex, the organisation’s secretary, began his working life as an apprentice with James Kilpatrick in 1959. He’s been employed by firms such as Steensen Varming Mulcahy, Blyth and Blyth, and RMJM and posted to projects in Dubai, Hong Kong, Libya, Kuwait, Yemen, Bangkok and Russia. His involvement with the Society dates back to the 1970s. “When I first joined it was the 18

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done thing, “ he said. “It helped you establish yourself in the industry and it was something you proudly added to your CV.” Ian is the Society treasurer. His career started in the 1950s and he also lists Steensen Varming Mulcahy as a former employer. He moved to local government and spent time with Edinburgh Corporation, Lothian Regional Council and Midlothian Council. He said: “A colleague advised me to join the Society as I ‘d meet interesting people.” Ian and Alex both believe one of the Society’s biggest

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

achievements has been its aility to attract high calibre speakers – most of the industry’s local leading lights have addressed members at some point. However, they also know that today it has its challenges. “Continuity is the main consideration,” Ian explained. “Younger people have other ways to gain knowledge and feel part of the industry. “And they often work long hours which means they don’t have the time to attend meetings and visits.” Recently, there’s been some

Ian, left, and Alex success in gathering new members - four came on board in 2018. Ultimately, decisions on the future will be made at the Society’s AGM in April 2020. “We’re really keen to continue,” said Alex, “but we need the input and enthusiasm of younger people.”

years of history adopted. Eighty people attended that meeting, which also saw the first lecture. Given by Mr J M M Munro, the subject was ‘Electricity Supply from Water Power in Scotland’. Throughout the years, members have visited sites ranging from Burton’s biscuit factory to St Fillans Hydro station and Hunterston and Torness nuclear power stations.

High point

One of the Society’s busiest periods was the war years of 1939-45. The average attendance was 53 with one meeting attracting 75 people. Soon after came the high point for membership with 360 people signed up in 1952. These days there are just 38 members, with an average of 15 attending lectures during 2018/19. Encouraging and rewarding apprentices has always been important to the Society. Until recently it presented an annual apprentice award

that’s been much prized by those who received it. Similarly, in the 1990s the Society began the practice – since discontinued – of issuing Continued Practical Development certificates to people who attended the group’s lectures. As well as remembering its past, the Society is always keen to look to the future. Alex said: “We keep up with the latest developments and it’s interesting to hear from graduates how wind, wave and hydrogen energy systems are being developed. It’s fascinating to see the changes that have taken place even just in the present members’ lifetimes.” Looking back on 100 years of records, two themes are clear – concerns over funding, and the need to survive by prudent control of the purse strings. Assuming there’s positive news at next year’s AGM it’s hoped the Society’s second 100 years will be just as eventful as its first.

The centenary celebrations of The Edinburgh Electrical Society will be held on 12 November 2019 at the Charwood restaurant in Edinburgh. That’s exactly one hundred years since the date of its first meeting. Guest speaker on the evening will be Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT. On 19 November, the Society will receive a civic reception at Edinburgh City Chambers. For information about joining the Society, call Alex Lumsden on 07501 647 301.

CABLEtalk

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

FEATURES FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIPS

Building strong foundations In this special report, we explain how Foundation Apprenticeships are another way of training youngsters to help employers find new, experienced and qualified talent More opportunities to get involved

By Elaine Ellis Skills Planning Manager, Skills Development Scotland

eveloped by the country’s skills agency, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Foundation Apprenticeships are enabling S5 and S6 pupils across Scotland to learn skills in key occupations like engineering and business administration. Taken as one of their subjects at school over one or two years, they include time with a learning provider, such as a college, and a period of work-based learning with an employer. Completion leads to a qualification at the same level as a Higher and there are more opportunities to progress on to a job, such as a Modern or Graduate Apprenticeship. Individuals can fast-track on to a related Modern Apprenticeship at an accelerated level, having already learned part of the role. 20

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Taking on a Foundation Apprentice in partnership with a learning provider, such as a local college, has no direct cost for employers and offers a solution to finding the next generation of employees. This year, there are more Foundation Apprenticeship opportunities available to pupils across the country than ever before, with opportunities in every local authority. The increase in uptake means employers have access to a bigger talent pool to find their future workforce.

Confident and experienced

According to an SDS survey*, employers who took on Foundation Apprentices said the young people were well equipped to participate in work while

“Employers can attract more people into their industry and gain early access to a pipeline of talent” Graeme Hendry, SDS

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on placement because they arrived with relevant knowledge and skills. Pupils taking Foundation Apprenticeships are also developing skills beyond job-related tasks to make them ready for a workplace environment. Most employers in the survey said that they saw young people becoming more confident through their work placement. They felt that being in a working environment helped young people gain maturity and to take ownership of their learning. This was also the view from the Foundation Apprentices themselves, with nine out of ten saying that their apprenticeship had helped them develop skills in communication, confidence, teamwork and become more organised. More than three quarters of the participants also said the Foundation Apprenticeship had improved their ability to solve problems.

Grow your own

Dealing with an ageing workforce, identifying talent early and attracting more young people into specific sectors are some of the reasons why employers are taking on Foundation Apprentices. Annan employer Cochran UK produces industrial hot water and steam boilers for a range of businesses, including the main whisky distilleries in Scotland. The manufacturer already employs Modern Apprentices and believes Foundation Apprenticeships

PRE-APP TRAINING COURSE MAKES IT A WIN-WIN SITUATION

Pupil Megan Anderson is currently taking part in a Foundation Apprenticeship in engineering at Auchenharvie Academy in Ayrshire

are another crucial way of ensuring it can maintain a skilled workforce. Cochran UK’s HR Manager, Graham Smith, explained: “Many of our staff are older, and the business needs to attract the right type of people who can take on the specialist skills that are needed within our industry. “We have a ‘grow your own’ philosophy and so Foundation Apprenticeships are great because they mean that we can introduce our business and sector to young people early on, before they make decisions about what they want to do after they leave school. It enables us to spot talent.”

Developing skills for work and life Graeme Hendry, SDS National

Manager, Development and Delivery of Foundation and Graduate Apprenticeships, said: “Not only do Foundation Apprenticeships give young people a head start with experience in their chosen sector, they also provide vital skills needed for the workplace such as communication, teamworking and self-management. “By offering young people the chance to gain work-based learning as part of their Foundation Apprenticeship, employers can attract more people into their industry and gain early access to a pipeline of talent.” With support from the European Social Fund, SDS has developed

The most popular introduction to an electrical career is through a pre-apprenticeship course, which is currently the favoured route into a Modern Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation. Anne Galbraith, CEO of the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), explained: “The courses are delivered by approved centres and cover health and safety, fundamental electrical principles, basic systems, basic electrical installation, IT, maths and possibly construction drawing. The content is determined by each centre, depending on resources, and culminates in either a National Certificate, a National Progression Award or a college certificate. “From a SECTT point of view, we support the centres and also provide personal protective equipment to all those enrolled on the course.” Anne added: “Employers very much value the pre-apprenticeship course as they are getting a work-ready applicant who has experience of the college system and a good basic understanding of the requirements to become an electrician. “The course also offers candidates the opportunity to see if being an electrician really is for them. “If not, it’s of equal value as they will not take up an employed place on the Modern Apprenticeship programme. So it really is a win-win situation.”

12 Foundation Apprenticeships in partnership with industry that support growth sectors with jobs in demand.

Find out more about Foundation Apprenticeships and how to get involved at www.apprenticeships.scot/fa *2018 SDS survey conducted with Foundation Apprentices and their employers.

CABLEtalk

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

FEATURES CENTRAL BOARD

Dinner at the Invercarse Hotel was followed by a talk on renewables

LEFT TO RIGHT: SELECT President Kevin Griffin, SELECT MD Alan Wilson, John Renwick, Ian Cuthbert

SELECT guests were given a fascinating private tour led by John Tavendale, left 22

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Dun roamin’

Board members line up outside the stunning V&A museum in Dundee

An exclusive guided tour of Dundee’s V&A museum was among the items on the agenda at this year’s Central Board meeting

he SELECT Tayside Branch rolled out the red carpet as the hosts of this year’s Central Board, treating guests to a private behindthe-scenes tour of Dundee’s stunning V&A. Board members were expertly guided around Scotland’s first design museum by John Tavendale, Project Director at Turner & Townsend, who revealed some

of the secrets behind the award-winning £80 million building. The tour on 3 September was followed by dinner at the Invercarse Hotel, where a discussion about renewables was delivered by guest speakers Ian Cuthbert, Programme Manager at Energy Savings Trust, and John Renwick, Sector Manager at Energy Skills Partnership. The Central Board meeting itself was held the next day and included

See more from the V&A visit at cabletalkmagazine. com

a presentation about the VAT reverse charge by Pauline Davidson, VAT Manager at SELECT accountants, BDO LLP. Tony Harvey, Tayside Branch Chair, said: “This year’s Central Board was very well attended and the fascinating tour of the V&A set the scene for an excellent event.”

CABLEtalk

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

All the winners and the celebrations from our glittering awards ceremony in Glasgow FULL STORY: Pages 26 to 40 >>>

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

16-PAGE SPECIAL Host Shereen introduced the proceedings while (below) guests had fun posing with selfie frames

President Kevin Griffin on stage

WINNER

Spotlight shines on industry’s top talent BOOTH WELSH BEST LARGE CONTRACTOR

he very best of the electrical industry were honoured during a brilliant night of fun and celebration at the SELECT Awards 2019. Hundreds gathered at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu hotel on 11 October to discover who had won this year’s hotly contested titles. Broadcaster Shereen Nanjiani hosted the evening for the second year running. The awards celebrated every aspect of the electrical industry, from apprentices just starting out in their careers to the companies and individuals with decades of experience under their belts. SELECT

Electrical sector’s best and brightest are honoured at the SELECT Awards 2019 Managing Director Alan Wilson said: “There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the electrotechnical industry, a sector which underpins everything we do in our day-today lives. “Scotland’s electrical trade has earned and maintained a high reputation for quality, craftsmanship and excellence and SELECT has been instrumental in raising awareness of quality, safety and the highest possible standards. “The 2019 awards were all about

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

MD Alan Wilson started the night with a speech

SELECT AWARDS 2019 Booth Welsh picked up the large contractor title

Interlink was named the top mediumsized contractor

recognising top performers and, once again, we were astounded by the response from companies throughout Scotland. Every one of them was a worthy winner.” Excited guests mingled at a drinks reception before taking their seats for the evening’s main event. After speeches by Alan and SELECT President Kevin Griffin, finalists, their friends and family and other industry members enjoyed a dinner of red mullet, roast venison and passion fruit tart. Beyond Broadway provided the pre-awards entertainment – then it was time for the winners to be announced…

Best Large Contractor

Irvine-based engineering company Booth Welsh celebrated its 30th year in business by landing the Best Large Contractor award. Competition was

WINNER

tough in the category, Simon Wood from which recognises the category sponsor INTERLINK LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL aspirations and Megger. Also BEST MEDIUM-SIZED achievements of nominated for the CONTRACTOR companies with a turnover title was E Fraser of more than £1 million. Electrical (Orkney) Ltd. Booth Welsh impressed the judges with its continued expansion Best Medium-Sized Contractor combined with a focus on keeping up Just two years after taking the Best the highest possible safety standards. Small Contractor prize, Interlink The firm started life as a small Lighting and Electrical was technical recruitment agency but thrilled to be named this year’s has since transformed into a globally Best Medium-Sized Contractor. operating giant, now boasting around The Glasgow-based firm has grown 250 workers across six countries. thanks to a five-year plan launched Alan said: “Scotland is very lucky in 2015 to streamline procedures, have major players like Booth Welsh adopt new ways of working and – which have gone out into the world completely restructure the company. and come back with hard-won export The strategy has obviously paid orders – in its industrial and off for Interlink and the business’s commercial portfolio.” The award was presented by Continued on page 28 >>>

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16-PAGE SPECIAL

Training award was presented to JFM Electrical

WINNER

along with his wife Rosemary. He beat tough competition amazing success was BEST USE OF TRAINING recognised with the from Aberdeenshire award which was presented Electrical Ltd by Stevie Corr of the category’s and Gordon Eason sponsor Rexel. Electrical to win the prize for the Electrical Solutions Network Ltd, top business with a turnover of up to Ideal Electrical Solutions (UK) Ltd £250,000. The award was and i-Protech Technology Ltd were sponsored by ECIC and also nominated for the prize. presented to Raymond Alan said: “Now in its third decade by Mark Hodson of in business, Interlink has made the the firm. transition into a new and bigger league SELECT MD Alan and the vision, determination and said: “Raymond’s dedication shown by its team are achievement, with recognised in this award.” the support of his wife Rosemary, is Best Small Contractor all the more Delighted Raymond Henderson proved remarkable how much opportunity there is in the since he was a electrical industry by taking the Best late entrant to Small Contractor title after entering the profession, the sector through the Adult coming through Apprenticeship Scheme. the extremely Raymond Henderson’s Raymond set up his RH Electrical effective business was honoured firm in Aberdeen just five years ago adult route. Continued from page 27

JFM ELECTRICAL LTD

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

SELECT AWARDS 2019

Electrical Solutions Network won for customer service

There were some tremendous entries in this category and Raymond and his wife were worthy winners.”

which had narrowly missed out on winning the same ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS title at the 2016 NETWORK LTD SELECT Awards. BEST DELIVERY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE Also in the running this year were John Noble Best Use of Training Electrical Contractors Ltd Training plays a vital role in the and Westside Electrical Services industry and its future and this award Ltd, who were both highly was presented to JFM Electrical commended, and Kenneth Ferguson Ltd for recognising its importance. Electrical Contractor. The family firm, based in Bellshill, Iain Mason, SELECT’s Head of Lanarkshire, helps staff Membership and Communications, across all said: “As JFM Electrical demonstrated, departments training is one of the most vital develop and components of what is now a very upgrade their highly-skilled and technical industry.” skills and puts training Best Delivery of Customer Service at the heart Putting customer satisfaction at the of their very centre of its business helped business. Electrical Solutions Network Ltd Tony Boyle, win the award recognising Best RH ELECTRICAL from sponsor Delivery of Customer Service. BEST SMALL CONTRACTOR Aico, presented The firm, which is based in Ayr but the trophy to JFM, operates across Scotland, provides a

WINNER

24/7 service including electrical installation, maintenance, testing and emergency call-outs. Its clients include the leisure industry, sports clubs and educational establishments and customers praised the company’s willingness to always go the extra mile. Alan Wilson said: “The whole team at Electrical Solutions Network have pulled together to achieve this recognition and their dedication and determination is a great example to the electrotechnical industry. “Clients large and small appreciate the extra effort made by all members of the team.” The award was presented by Neil Kelly of sponsor MacRoberts LLP. Also nominated in the hotly contested category were Gordon Eason Electrical, Matt Burton Electrical and Safe Building Scheme Ltd.

Continued on page 30 >>>

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16-PAGE SPECIAL

Health and safety prize was awarded to EDI-Aberdeen Continued from page 29

Best New Product

An innovative combination of an inspection camera and a cablepulling tool won the sought-after prize for Best New Product. Super Rod, which has been designing and building cable rods since 2001, was honoured for its Ferret Wi-Fi Cable Pulling Tool, which uses the latest electronics technology to stream high resolution video to a smart device in real time. The camera has six adjustable, bright white LEDs on the front to provide crisp, clear 720p images, even in Best product was won by cable rod firm Super Rod

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WINNER

O’Hare, from sponsor complete darkness. EDI-ABERDEEN LTD Dave Forrester, City Electrical Factors. Head of Technical Also nominated in the BEST HEALTH AND SAFETY INITIATIVE Services at SELECT, best new product said: “Super Rod has category were Aico for its nailed it with this one. Ei3024 Multi-Sensor Fire It’s a very clever idea Alarm and Vent Axia for its PureAir and a good design that will Sense Bathroom Fan. save time on site and also improve safety when Best Health and Safety Initiative pulling cables.” The inaugural Best Health and Safety The award was Initiative award was presented to presented to the Welsh EDI-Aberdeen Ltd for its work on a firm by Gerald challenging and potentially dangerous quayside project. The firm displayed skill and innovation in dealing with risks and showed health and safety procedures were a vital part of the company infrastructure. SELECT MD Alan said: “A focus on safe practice underpins everything that we stand for at SELECT and the importance of best practice in health and safety has never been greater. SUPER ROD “The winner was required to carry BEST NEW PRODUCT out work under the quay of a very busy

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WINNER

SELECT AWARDS 2019

Connect’s Alan Ramsay with prize winners Ideal Electrical Solutions

“It has taken the opportunity of visually promoting the business in many areas, including van and office livery and staff uniforms. Its vehicles and the professional attire of its electricians are branded, and its premises are high profile. It has a colourful and attractive website and is active on social media.” The award was presented by Alan Ramsay from sponsor Connect, which produces CABLEtalk. Also nominated were i-Protech Technology Ltd and Matt Burton Electrical.

EDA Scottish Section – Wholesaler Apprentice of the Year

The future of the industry also came under the spotlight as apprentice Rian Keegan was honoured for his impressive skills. The 20-year-old, of CEF, was thrilled to take the title, which was only introduced two years ago. Rian, from East Kilbride, said: “There was a huge response for the apprentice post with CEF and I am very grateful to them and the teams I work with, for showing faith in me and giving me this great chance. “After I successfully harbour. This completed my IDEAL ELECTRICAL required a very high apprenticeship in SOLUTIONS LTD safety standard Warehousing and BEST VISUAL PROMOTION involving confined space Storage, I was delighted training as well as gas to be offered a permanent detection and water testing.” Sales Assistant role at Steve Curtler, from the CEF in Glasgow. consumer charity Electrical Safety First “To win this award is who sponsored the award, presented the an enormous incentive prize to EDI-Aberdeen. Also nominated for me, and I plan in the same category were Ideal to take every Electrical Solutions (UK) and opportunity to J S M Electrical Services. progress my career in electrical Best Visual Promotion wholesaling.” Colourful and eye-catching designs saw Andy Ideal Electrical Solutions (UK) Ltd Thomson, take top spot in the Best Visual Rian’s Promotion category. manager It was the Edinburgh firm’s third at CEF in success at the SELECT Awards after Glasgow landing the same title in 2016 and city centre, winning Best Small Contractor the year added: “Rian before. Alan Wilson praised the showed a great company for the engaging way it work ethic and presented itself to the public. He added: adapted to his role very

quickly, demonstrating a real can-do approach and a willingness to go the extra mile.” Also nominated for the award, sponsored by EDA Apprenticeships Plus, were Connor Grant from CEF, Danny Jones of Edmundson Electrical, CEF’s Stuart Farmer and Lewis Connor of Scott Coppola Electrical Distributors Ltd. It was presented by Angela Devine, Apprenticeship Account Manager at EDA Apprenticeships Plus, and Andrew Burt, Chair of the EDA Scottish Section and MD of Glasgowbased AIB Electrical Wholesale Ltd. Live music and dancing got the party started after all the awards had been handed out as winners and guests celebrated. There was also a prize raffle that raised nearly £3,000 for the Electrical Industries Charity, before top band Franco had everyone up on the dancefloor. Continued on page 33 >>>

WINNER

CABLEtalk

WINNER RIAN KEEGAN EDA SCOTTISH SECTION – WHOLESALER APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Apprentice winner Rian

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

WE KNOW what it TAKES tO BE A winner

As publishers of CABLEtalk we were proud to sponsor the Best Visual Promotion Award at the SELECT Awards 2019. We’re no strangers to awards ourselves. Over the past 20 years, we’ve won more than 90 accolades for our digital and print communications. We like to think it’s because we’re no strangers to excellence either – and why, as Scotland’s premier engagement experts, the biggest brands trust us to help them connect with the people who matter most.

www.connectcommunications.co.uk

Tel: 0141 561 0300

Campaigns

Content

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Marketing collateral

Publications

Strategy

SELECT AWARDS 2019

Marc of a champion Jock Simpson, left, and Gary Mason present winner Marc with his trophy

Apprentice of the Year 2019 is crowned

ising star Marc McQuade was thrilled to be named the SJIB/ Edmundson Apprentice of the Year winner at the SELECT Awards 2019. Marc, 26, who works with longestablished firm Weir & McQuiston, was praised for his vision and his values as he collected the honour. The award celebrates the next generation of the industry and showed once again that the sector’s future is in safe hands. Daniel Begg, who works with Moray Council, and Kevin Durning, of Glasgow’s HF Electrical, were also shortlisted for the prize. Delighted Marc, from Wishaw, said: “This is a tremendous event for me but it also reflects the values of Weir & McQuiston, which was willing to give me opportunities that I was more than ready to accept. My managers and the

teams I work with have made it clear to me that they hold me in high regard. “Speaking as someone who has only been with the firm for a relatively short period of time, that is something that I greatly appreciate.” The award was presented to Marc by SJIB Chairman Jock Simpson and Gary Mason, from Edmundson Electrical. They also handed certificates to the other finalists. SJIB Secretary Fiona Harper said: “It is a particularly exciting time for young people to become part of the electrotechnical industry. “Standards and technology are constantly improving, as are working practices and attitudes towards the environment. “Marc is very typical of the quality of new entrants that we need in the sector. He has strong family values and

also has a vision of where he wants his career to take him. I don’t doubt that he will more than achieve his goals and ambitions.” Continued on page 35 >>> Marc with partner Lisa Rattigan

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SELECT AWARDS 2019

Decades of devotion to workers’ welfare Selfless union officer Bernard is honoured with SELECT’S Lifetime Achievement Award

nion official Bernard McAulay’s decades of dedication to helping others have been recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bernard – national officer for the construction, allied trades and technicians sector of Unite – has devoted his career to improving the welfare of workers. He has played a powerful part in the fight to give construction workers a voice and secure good quality, sustainable jobs in the industry. And the impact of his efforts has been enormous, making a huge difference to the working conditions of countless individuals. SELECT Managing Director

Alan Wilson said: “Bernard’s focus over the course of many years of high-level union activity and negotiation has always been on the workers he represented and he has never sought the spotlight for himself. “For that reason alone, among many, many others, we are pleased to bring into the public domain the selfless efforts that Bernard and his colleagues in the trade union movement have made over the decades to try to create a joined-up industrial strategy.” Alan added: “Bernard, like many of the people he represents, has always been a hard worker. “He is not only tenacious and determined but is well-known throughout the industry as being very capable of driving a hard bargain on

behalf of his members. We are delighted to be able to pay tribute to him.” The prestigious award was presented to Bernard during the ceremony by Neil MacEachern from the category’s sponsor Schneider Electric. Fiona Harper, Head of Employment Affairs at SELECT and SJIB Secretary, said: “Bernard has had a long and distinguished career focused on improving construction standards, protecting workers and fighting against poor construction practices. “In a huge variety of roles, he has been at the forefront of a long and determined drive towards creating a safe and fair working environment and ensuring a sustainable industry rate of pay for workers. “This is a very appropriate award for someone who has devoted his life to the improvement of conditions for others.” Continued on page 36 >>>

Bernard McAulay with Neil MacEachern and awards host Shereen Nanjiani

WINNER

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

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16-PAGE SPECIAL

Kenneth Ferguson team were nominated for the Best Use of Training prize

I-Protech was a finalist in two categories

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

Health and safety finalist John McLean, from JSM Electrical, and wife Sharon

SELECT AWARDS 2019

We’re all winners Awards finalists share the glory and show off their nominee certificates as they’re also honoured for their great contributions to the electrical industry

Apprentice Daniel Begg poses with his finalist’s certificate

Continued on page 38 >>>

Aico was nominated for the new product award

Kevin Durning was a runner-up for SJIB Apprentice of the Year

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16-PAGE SPECIAL

SELECT’s Adr ienne Thomson an d Linda Rolfe

cers adway dan Beyond Bro wd o cr with the were a hit

Night to remember

Fun, fizz and a fantastic party at SELECT Awards

e stage for Singers take th ay show dw Beyond Broa

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

Franco got everyone up on the dancefloor

SELECT AWARDS 2019 Images: © paulwatt.com

Fun and games with a selfie frame

Pals looked smart in their tuxedos

Glam guests dressed up for the big night

Smiles at dinner

Vice President Donald W Orr (far right) shares a joke with representatives from the FSA

Past President Archie Jay

Depute Vice President Darren Crockett

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16-PAGE SPECIAL

Winners and Highly Commended SJIB/EDMUNDSON APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

BEST USE OF TRAINING Sponsored by Aico

BEST SMALL CONTRACTOR (UP TO £250K TURNOVER) Sponsored by ECIC

Sponsored by SJIB and Edmundson Electrical

WINNER: J F M ELECTRICAL LTD

WINNER: MARC McQUADE, WEIR & McQUISTON LTD

BEST NEW PRODUCT

HIGHLY COMMENDED: JOHN NOBLE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS LTD

WINNER: R H ELECTRICAL (ABERDEEN)

WESTSIDE ELECTRICAL SERVICES LTD

BEST MEDIUM-SIZED CONTRACTOR (FROM £250K TO £1M TURNOVER)

Sponsored by EDA Apprenticeships Plus

WINNER: ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS NETWORK LTD

BEST VISUAL PROMOTION Sponsored by Connect Communications

WINNER: BOOTH WELSH WINNER: RIAN KEEGAN, CEF

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Sponsored by Schneider Electric

WINNER: IDEAL ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS (UK) LTD

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WINNER: BERNARD McAULAY

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Congratulations to all our finalists and winners. See more photos at selectawards.co.uk/ gallery

SEE ALL THE PICTURES FROM A GREAT NIGHT AT THE www.selectawards.co.uk/gallery

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TRAINING SITE SAFETY Following its launch earlier this year, The Electrical Site Safety Assessment (TESSA) has been given an enthusiastic thumbsup by delegates – with more courses now planned

The course teaches the essentials of site safety

ELECT’s new TESSA training course has been praised by non-technical staff who say it’s given them an invaluable grounding in site safety. After two pilot courses in March, successful one-day TESSA sessions have now been held in Edinburgh and Cambuslang, Glasgow. Among the delighted delegates was Jennifer Payne, Development Officer for the Supplier Development Programme at South Lanarkshire Council, who told us: “I’m interested in health and safety but was unfamiliar with electricity regulations until I took the TESSA. “I completed the home study portion in advance and on the day the trainer was exceptionally helpful in helping a newbie like me understand more about the key standards, legislation, documentation, and certification associated with electrical installations.” She added: “It’s part of my job to potentially visit work sites to promote SMEs that win public sector work. “As a result of passing TESSA, I’ll now feel more comfortable visiting construction sites.” Another recent delegate is David Dourley, Group Manager, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, who said he also benefitted. He told us: “As fire investigators, it is crucial that we have a good understanding of electrical installations and their role in the lead-up to an incident. “The TESSA course has enhanced the electrical knowledge of our investigators. Post-fire, a scene can be a complex picture to piece together, but a thorough understanding of electrical systems, 42

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TESSA passes the test cable types, safety devices and the relationships between voltage, resistance, current and power will help our fire investigation teams in future as they carry out investigations.” As we told in CABLEtalk in June, the course is designed to give nontradespeople an introduction to electrical site safety and is accredited to SCQF Level 6 by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Another session of the course has now been scheduled to be held in Cambuslang on 25 November, priced

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at £150, including VAT, for SELECT Members. Jenny Cryans, SELECT Training Manager, said: “We’re extremely pleased at the positive response to TESSA and will continue rolling out courses for Members in the next few months.”

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

TRAINING DOMESTIC VENTILATION

New course is a breath of fresh air Following a recent seminar with Glen Dimplex, SELECT has teamed up with the global manufacturer to offer a new training course in domestic ventilation

ELECT has launched a new one-day training course in domestic ventilation, working in partnership with global experts Glen Dimplex. The course provides information on relevant legislation and guidance to enable the correct installation, inspection, testing, commission and handover of systems in Scotland. It also includes several practical calculations for airflow requirements and measurement. A SELECT certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the course, which costs £150 + VAT for SELECT Members and includes a short open-book multi-choice assessment. The new course follows a successful seminar delivered by the company on 29 August at SELECT’s HQ in Midlothian, entitled The Future with Electric Heating. The first two sessions are now scheduled for Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 November 2019 at The Walled Garden. Presented by Craig Cundey, Glen Dimplex

training to our Members. If we have sufficient demand for more sessions after the first scheduled courses are held in November, we’re hoping to roll out the course at other venues across Scotland.”

Head of Product Training, each will run from 9am to 5pm for a maximum of eight delegates. Glen Dimplex have also offered to provide additional dates if Members require them. Jenny Cryans, Training Manager at SELECT, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Craig Cundey and Glen Dimplex to deliver domestic ventilation

For further information about the new course, or to book your place, email training@ select.org.uk or call 0131 445 5577. Places can also be booked on our website, www.select.org.uk

Sessions will cover domestic ventilation

FIT FOR THE FUTURE SELECT and Glen Dimplex are also offering a free training seminar on the future of electric heating and smart grid management. The session will be held on

Tuesday 5 November at the Corran Halls in Oban and runs from 9.30am to 1pm. Topics covered will include legislation, carbon reduction targets and the wide range of

electric heating product options currently available. There will also be the chance to hear about how improved energy efficiency in buildings will affect ventilation to manage air quality CABLEtalk

and fabric protection. If you would like to register and book a place on the course, please contact SELECT Training by calling 0131 445 5577 or emailing training@select.org.uk OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

TRAINING SECTT UPDATE

Bright sparks of the future Youngsters got a taste of life as an electrician thanks to three programmes run by the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust and the Prince’s Trust. Find out how they got on during the six-week courses held across Scotland

By Anne Galbraith Chief Executive, SECTT

or the fifth year running, the enthusiasm and determination of candidates on the Get Into Electrical Installation courses have been an inspiration to everyone working with them. Three programmes were run over summer in partnership with the Prince’s Trust, thanks to funding support from the Electrical Engineering Training Foundation (EETF), operated by SELECT. The Get Into Electrical Installation programme is an intense taster course that allows candidates to make an informed choice about becoming an electrician. It’s a very successful route into the Modern Apprenticeship programme and the first step towards gaining full-time employment. Edinburgh College, Dundee and Angus College and West College 44

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Scotland Paisley Campus were all delighted to take part in this year’s programme. Applicants were preselected by the Prince’s Trust and invited to a taster day which involved practical skills and team building. Candidates were then given an introduction to electrical skills on the six-week course. They spent four weeks at college – with most of that time in the workshop – and were all given maths tuition before sitting the SECTT

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“It’s a very successful route into the Modern Apprenticeship programme”

Edinburgh College, Sighthill Campus Eleven candidates started and ten finished. The group was terrific, really motivated, and all the lecturers noted that they were a joy to have in the workshop. They worked well together and helped each other at all times, and the staff praised the quality of work they produced in such a short time. The Prince’s Trust team was on hand to support the group and formed a strong bond with them. The SECTT Training Officer identified employers who were happy to take the candidates on for their one-week work placements. By the end of the programme, four had secured places in full-time employment on the Modern Apprenticeship and those who wanted a place on the electrical pre-apprenticeship programme were signed up.

West College Scotland, Paisley Campus On the first day we had 11 candidates and we finished the course with seven, who had all proven to be reliable and hard working. The group all went to different companies for their work placement and the feedback from both candidates and employers again was very positive. Two of the group secured Modern Apprenticeships and all of the others were offered a place on the pre-apprenticeship course. One of the employers offered extended work experience, which we hope will lead to employment. The students were all very different but they worked so well as a team. They really benefitted from the expertise and generosity of their tutors, with a special mention to Louise Adair. Louise took the group through their paces and offered support. We have been lucky to have her involved.

pre-employment assessment. The fifth week then saw them take up a work placement sourced by SECTT. For some of the candidates this can be their very first taste of “work”. From day one, I always stress to all the candidates that employers are looking for those who turn up on time, don’t take time off and show the right attitude – the rest we can teach them. The college lecturers are excellent and give the candidates tremendous support. For some, this is the first time that they have been able to commit to a course and just turning up at college every day is an achievement. The candidates spend the final week of the programme writing up their CVs before the course culminates in a Celebration Event which is attended by proud family members, employers,

SELECT, college staff, SQA, Skills Development Scotland, SECTT and the Prince’s Trust. The candidates are all encouraged to say something during the uplifting – and often very emotional – event before they are all presented with their certificates.

Thank you

My thank you list is huge and starts with the EETF and SELECT for funding these programmes and the Prince’s Trust for working closely with me and the SECTT team to make it happen. I’m also grateful to the colleges, their staff, the employers who offered work placements, and the support agencies. Getting to know the young people and the struggles they’ve overcome, and then seeing them grow, gain

confidence and be successful is so fulfilling. Sadly, there are thousands of young people around the country who still believe they’re not good enough. We help give them the confidence and skills to find a job and a future. Dundee College, Kingsway Campus Twelve candidates started the course and 11 completed it. Steve Johnston, the college lecturer, put them through their paces – and their enthusiasm was infectious. They all worked so hard in the workshop and in studying for the SECTT pre-employment assessment, which they all passed. The attributes employers value most are enthusiasm and a willingness to turn up on time, learn and do well – all clearly shown by these candidates.

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TECHNICAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Take control of a greener future The rapid growth of green innovation and government initiatives offer a wealth of opportunity for today’s contractors – and the availability of technology for existing buildings is already putting an energy efficient future within reach

C By Bob Cairney I Eng MIET Technical Standards Adviser, SELECT

arbon emissions (CO2) that are produced by burning fossil fuels to produce energy to power the lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation in buildings continue to be a significant contributor of greenhouse gases. Therefore, when designing a modern building and its associated building services, it is important to ensure that appropriate energy efficiency measures are included to keep such emissions to a minimum. Building services such as lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation are an absolute necessity in any modern building. However, there’s no reason why the equipment installed to provide

them shouldn’t be energy efficient and operate effectively. This can be achieved by installing equipment that is energy efficient by design and/or by operating such equipment in an energy efficient manner by the installation of suitable controls, e.g. LED lighting and smart lighting controls, such as presence or absence detection, are common in most modern offices. Together with the installation and use of an appropriate renewable technology to reduce the emissions associated with the Continued on page 48 >>> CABLEtalk

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TECHNICAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY >>> Continued from page 47

production of energy, this will help achieve the Scottish Government’s aim of reducing the amount of greenhouse gases being produced in Scotland and will help to combat the threat of global warming.

Key questions

Those undertaking the design, installation and commissioning of new or replacement building services should give careful thought to the level of energy efficiency required. Consideration of the age and

or other sources of heat loss, e.g. due to excessive openings and service penetrations. In new buildings such measures will normally be achieved by complying with the Building (Scotland) Regulations and the mandatory standards given in BSD technical handbooks specifically relating to energy conservation, i.e. Section 6.0 ‘Energy’. Standard 6.1 requires that every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that: ●● The energy performance is estimated in

Smart lighting is on the rise

condition of the building and the type of services to be installed should be considered, together with the following: ●●Is the building constructed to ensure energy efficiency and conserve energy? ●●Can renewable sources be used to reduce carbon emissions associated with energy production? ●●Is the equipment to be installed energy efficient? ●●Are controls required to improve its equipment efficiency? On a basic level, there is no point installing energy efficient equipment in a building that’s not been constructed to be energy efficient in the first place. As a minimum, the building envelope should be insulated to a suitable level and there should be no significant air infiltration 48

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Heat pumps could play an important role in keeping homes warm in the future

accordance with a methodology of calculation approved under regulation 7(a) of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008 ●●The energy performance of the building is capable of reducing CO2 emissions. Compliance with this standard, together with the other standards given specifically for lighting, heating and ventilation, should ensure that a new building and the services installed are energy efficient when a building is constructed.

Assessing performance

Where work to install new services or replace or upgrade existing services in an existing building is being planned – e.g. the replacement of an existing electric heating system – the building’s energy efficiency level may not comply with the latest building standards. The first step should therefore be to assess if the proposed work is appropriate

and suitable. To establish this, an energy assessment of the building should ideally be carried out by a competent energy assessor or surveyor and an energy performance certificate (EPC) obtained. This is more or less as outlined in the recently revised and publicly available PAS 2030 (2017) specification for the installation of energy efficiency measures in existing buildings, which sets out requirements for the design, installation and commissioning and handover of energy efficiency measures (EEM). It also includes recommendations for the installation processes, process management and service provision and criteria relating to the installation methods to be used, as well as equipment, tools and the suitability of products, systems and materials. Previously, PAS 2030 (2014) was an important part of being able to deliver the UK Government’s Green Deal for installation of energy efficiency measures, but this closed in 2015 with

Green Deal finance loans replacing the original scheme. However, PAS 2030 (2017) continues to be an important standard from the perspective of customers being able to access these loans. It is also important in relation to being able to install EEM through the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficient Scotland Programme.

Preparing for the future

The Scottish Government first designated energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority in 2015 and through the new programme there will be a concerted effort to encourage people to improve the efficiency of their property. It is estimated that up to £12 billion could be invested in the programme’s lifetime, which will result in significant demand and provide opportunities for contractors in Scotland who can provide energy efficiency and renewable products and services. The government vision is that all homes and buildings are to be warmer, greener and more efficient by 2040. To outline how this is to be achieved, they have also published a route map. This sets out minimum energy efficiency standard for buildings based on EPCs, which has been in place for social housing for some time, requiring a minimum EPC band D. However, new standards are to be phased in from 2020 covering all buildings starting with the private rented sector. From 1 April 2020, all privately rented properties will need to achieve an EPC band E when there is a change of tenancy, then by March 2022 this will be required regardless of tenant change. There are also plans to phase in the owner-occupied sector so that ultimately all domestic properties have to achieve EPC band C by 2040. However, this may be subject to change at the discretion of the government. PAS 2030 also provides guidance on the training, skills and competence of the people undertaking installation of EEM, and Energy Efficient Scotland is currently looking at using it to develop quality assurance criteria for suppliers who may want to participate in this work. There will also be opportunities for electrical contracting businesses who

see new opportunities to diversify into providing energy efficiency services. With regard to required skills, this will inevitably depend on the type of EEM to be installed. For example, to install replacement electric heating systems a qualified electrician to SVQ Level 3 would be appropriate. However, it may be that some form of additional training is necessary for other measures identified in PAS 2030, e.g. the installation of mechanical Technology makes ventilation with it easier to control heat recovery systems (MVHR) heating and lighting or other heating systems such as air source heat pumps. SELECT has been proactive in this process and has been participating in discussions about the competence levels and training required for the various EEMs to satisfy Energy Efficient Scotland’s requirements through Energy Skills Partnership (ESP), which is a collaboration of Scotland’s colleges and industry partners. This has been established to increase Scotland’s capability and capacity to deliver the right skills for energy, engineering and the construction sector to meet industry demands, with work now nearing completion. It will therefore be interesting to see what develops in respect of recognition of SELECT Membership as an entry point to participation in the government scheme, including recognition of our SQA/SCQF accredited training programmes and the rollout of the government’s energy efficiency plans for Scotland’s buildings. Rest assured that, as always, SELECT will provide a future update as this important programme develops.

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TECHNICAL FOUNDATION EARTH ELECTRODES

Depth of understanding By Bob Cairney I Eng MIET Technical Standards Adviser, SELECT

Working with the Ogilvie Group, DEHN UK and Megger Ltd, SELECT have been helping an IET working group investigate the benefits of foundation earth electrodes

oundation earth electrodes (FEE) are being considered as a possible solution to prevent the potentially dangerous consequences of a break in an incoming supply protective earth and neutral (PEN) conductor. FEE may be installed to provide an additional connection to earth to the PEN conductor of TN-C-S (PME) earthing systems provided by the distributor. In BS 7671 there is already a note to Regulation 411.4.2 which advises that for TN systems, an additional connection to Earth is an option that may be considered by the installation designer for these systems at the point of entry of the supply into the building. Regulation 411.4.2 requires that the neutral point of the power supply system shall be earthed and exposedconductive-parts of the installation are connected by a protective conductor to the main earthing terminal of the installation, which is connected to the earthed point of the power supply. In protective multiple earthing (PME) systems, the neutral and protective functions are combined in a single PEN conductor in part of the system, i.e. in the incoming low voltage distribution network cable. Thereafter, the functions are provided in separate conductors within the installation. If a break in a distributor’s PEN conductor occurs, this could result in 50

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Terminating the electrode

Concrete is poured in at the Ogilvie Homes development

danger to persons located within that installation due to the significant potential that can appear between exposed conductive parts of the electrical installation and the general mass of Earth. In single phase installations this is caused by load current returning through the protective conductors of the installation to the general mass of Earth, rather than through the neutral conductor which is broken. In threephase installations this is due to

“So far, test results obtained from these installations have been encouraging and produced some useful information” Finished foundation at the building site

imbalance between loads on the different phases of the supply downstream of the break in the neutral. However, if main protective bonding is provided connecting any extraneousconductive-parts that exist within the installation – e.g. incoming metal water pipes or gas pipes – to exposedconductive-parts of the installation, the potential between these will be reduced to a safer touch voltage and danger avoided. Where exposed-conductive-parts or extraneous-conductive-parts are located outside – e.g. a metal outside light or a metal pipe connecting a water tap – the main protective bonding will not reduce touch voltages between metalwork connected to the main earth terminal and Earth outside the building. It may therefore be appropriate to provide additional measures such as providing an additional connection to Earth at the consumer’s earth terminal. This is where FEE can be of particular benefit. This may also be an option in situations where extraneousconductive-parts do not exist within an installation, e.g. due to the use of plastic pipes for incoming water and gas services. There are a number of options given in Chapter 54 of BS 7671 for earth

electrodes, e.g. earth rods or pipes, earth tapes or wires etc. However, it is often difficult to obtain reliable low resistances to earth when installing these and a FEE is more likely to provide a greater area of influence around the exterior of the building than a single rod electrode. This may be one of the advantages that installing a FEE provides.

Work to date

To date, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) JPEL/64 working group research has included a number of

Installing 8mm steel conductor

foundation earth electrode installations carried out around the UK, including several in Scotland. The work in Scotland has been kindly facilitated by Ogilvie Homes – part of the Ogilvie Group of companies located in Stirling – with FEE installed at their housing developments in Irvine, Ayrshire, and Bridge of Earn, Perthshire. The FEE installed at these sites comprises of 8mm (CSA of approximately 50mm2) diameter galvanised steel bar, installed at a depth of 500mm in the concrete strip foundations, with the work being carried out by DEHN UK Ltd, who manufacture surge protection, lightning protection and earthing products. The subsequent testing carried out by SELECT made use of a range of test equipment provided by Megger Limited, including their latest DET2/3 high resolution earth tester and MFT 1741 multi-function tester together with an ETK professional earth test kit. So far, test results obtained from these installations have been encouraging and produced some useful information. These will be further considered and discussed by the JPEL/64 working group as they continue their research into this interesting project. SELECT will continue to provide assistance on this research and will keep Members advised on how it may impact electrical installation work in the future as it develops.

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FOCUS HOLIDAY PAY

Unravelling the holiday pay riddle How many days off is an employee entitled to? How much do they get paid for it? And do they still get paid it if they’re off sick? The rules on holiday pay have changed over the past few years – so here’s a handy guide to help employers answer some of the most common queries

By Michelle Courtney SELECT Benefits Adviser What is the recognised holiday year? The holiday year starts on the first working Monday in January and ends on the Sunday before the first working Monday the following January. How many days holiday pay are employees entitled to per year? In 2019, the holiday entitlement is 31 days, which is split into 23 annual days and eight public days. In 2020 this will increase to 32 days, split into 24 annual days and eight public days.

There is a simple calculation for this (see Fig 1). Firstly, count up the number of weeks they will be in employment for the rest of the current holiday year, then do the calculation in Fig 1, rounding up the answer to the nearest half day. This calculation should be used for new employees and leavers throughout the year; for leavers the number of days taken would be deducted from the answer and they would be paid the balance in their final wage. How about part-time staff? How many days are they due? Let’s take someone who works two days a week in 2019 as an example. To work out what they’re due, take their 31 days of holiday entitlement, divide

When do staff start accruing holiday pay? From their very first day of employment. How do I work out the entitlement of someone who starts employment part-way through a year? 52

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“Employees still accrue holiday pay as normal while they are off sick from work” it by five and then multiply it by two. The answer is the number of days they’re allowed that year – in this case, 12. In 2020, of course, the holiday entitlement rises to 32 days.

 CALCULATING HOLIDAY PAY Fig 1: Calculating holiday entitlement Number of holiday days per year, i.e. 31 or 32, ÷ weeks in the year, ie 52, x number of weeks in employment = holiday entitlement

What should be included in holiday pay calculations? It must take into consideration all eligible earnings, including guaranteed overtime, normal non-guaranteed overtime, voluntary overtime (where consistent and regular), commission and travel payments.

Should I include the above for all of an employee’s holidays throughout the year? You only need to use this guidance for the first 20 days of annual leave, in line with the EU Working Time Directive. The remaining 11 days (in 2019) or 12 days (in 2020) would be at the employee’s basic rate. So how is holiday pay calculated? The formula in Fig 2 should be used for calculating holiday pay for the first 20 days of each year. Eligible earnings are the things in the list detailing what should be included in holiday pay calculations. How do I work out payment for the remaining days? That would be worked out at the basic rate, which is normally what an employee’s contracted rate is. If a contract of employment states that an employee’s working week is

If someone is off sick during the 12 weeks prior to their holiday, will this affect the calculation of their holiday pay? We would always advise an employer to use an earlier week for the calculation in this situation.

Fig 2: Calculating holiday pay for first 20 days of each year Total eligible earnings in the last 12 weeks ÷ 12 = weekly holiday pay for the first 20 days of each year

 LEAVING EMPLOYMENT If someone is leaving, when should they receive their holiday pay? Any outstanding holiday pay should be paid with the final wage.

40 hours, does this affect the calculation of their holiday pay? Anything over 37.5 hours would be classed as overtime so this would affect the calculation. In this case, the 2.5 hours per week would be paid at time-and-a-half. If I’m only paying someone the basic rate throughout the year, should I use the recommended formula? If your employee does any of the things from the list of eligible earnings then yes, you should use the formula for the first 20 days of their holiday.

How do I know how many holidays to pay in a final wage? Do the calculation 31/52 x number of weeks the employee has been in employment (see Fig 1 again), then deduct any days they’ve taken and pay the balance.

 HOLIDAY PAY WHEN OFF SICK Do staff still accrue holiday pay while off certified sick? Yes, employees accrue holiday pay as normal while they’re off sick. If someone is on long-term sick leave, does their holiday entitlement change? When someone hasn’t been able to use their holidays due to long-term sick leave, they can carry over 20 days of unused holiday. These days must be used within 18 months of the date they’re carried over. Can an employee take holidays while off sick? Yes, but they must request any holidays in writing. Sick pay would be paused while the employee takes the holiday, then start up again afterwards. These are just a few of the many different holiday pay situations that can arise. SELECT and the SJIB offer a variety of ways to help Members stay updated on other issues.

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For further advice about holiday pay, email michelle. courtney@select.org.uk or call 0131 445 9213. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

FOCUS PROMPT PAYMENT CODE

By Professor Rudi Klein SEC Group CEO and Barrister

he Prompt Payment Code (PPC) is operated by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management on behalf of the Department for Business in London (BEIS). There is a commitment in the PPC that says its signatories must pay 95% of all invoices within 60 days. It is now more than ten years old and, after all this time, it has suddenly come to life. Why, one might ask, didn’t the Chartered Institute or UK Government take such action years ago? In July 2017, Carillion signed up to the PPC while taking upwards of 120 days to pay its supply chain. At that time, it seemed to be acceptable to take as long as one wanted to discharge payment provided it was made on time (in Carillion’s case, on the 120th day).

Who has been kicked off and suspended?

The first tranche of disciplinary action happened in April, when eight large construction businesses were among 17 firms either suspended or removed from the PPC. Suspended companies were required to produce action plans to demonstrate that they would change their ways by ensuring invoices would be discharged within 60 days. In July, 18 more firms were penalised for late payment, including construction companies Ferrovial Agroman, Galliford Try and Alun Griffiths, a large Welshbased company. 54

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Choc horror

The Prompt Payment Code was meant to improve all-important cashflow for businesses. But after the suspension and removal of several highprofile signatories, Rudi Klein says it’s been about as useful as a chocolate hot water bottle Payment reporting regulations

The Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017 now impose a statutory duty on large companies to report publicly on their payment policies and practices. Large companies are those that have exceeded two of the following three thresholds in their last two preceding financial years: ●●£36 million annual turnover ●●£18 million balance sheet total ●●250 employees. These regulations apply to financial years beginning on or after 6 April 2017.

“Why, one might ask, didn’t the Chartered Institute or UK Government take such action years ago? ”

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Reports have to be submitted within 30 days of each six-month period within a company’s financial year and they must include: ●●average number of days to pay suppliers from the date of receipt of invoice or payment application ●●percentage of payments paid in 30 days or less, between 31 and 60 days and in 61 days or longer ●●percentage of payments not discharged within the agreed terms. A UK Government website has been set up to display the data. The availability of this information has now prompted the Chartered Institute of Credit Management to check whether the PPC’s signatories are all paying within 60 days.

So, how useful is the PPC?

The short answer is: As useful as a chocolate hot water bottle. But let’s answer the question in full by asking another question: Has it shortened payment times in the ten years of its existence? The answer must surely be a resounding no. In fact, payment performance has worsened over that period and is still showing no signs of long-term improvement. Research published by SEC Group

or expelling signatories, it is finally applying some pressure on the large companies to change their ways. But, so far, only Costain has been re-admitted as a signatory. It will be interesting to see whether or not other suspended firms will be successful in improving their payment performance. I suspect many will not bother unless there are consequences for not being a signatory.

Consequences of not being a signatory

The problem has always been that there’s no incentive to be a signatory to the PPC, and generally clients don’t care if a main contractor is signed up or not. This may change if the UK Government sticks to implementing its threat to exclude from bidding main contractors who haven’t paid their subcontractors within 60 days on 95% of their invoices, although this percentage is now reduced to 75%. But this policy appears to be at odds with the statutory duty imposed on UK Government procurers to ensure that there are 30-day payment clauses in all subcontracts. I reserve judgment on whether this policy will have a significant impact but, for the moment, the PPC is still as useful as that proverbial hot water bottle. However, this could change if the Small Business Commissioner is given the power to penalise late payers.

Relevance to Scotland

Scotland in May this year, based on a survey of firms including SELECT Member businesses, revealed that almost half of payments to 45% of subcontractors on public sector works were late, with 85% of firms on public sector contracts not receiving any payment within 30 days. Release of retention monies takes longer and longer, and the PPC doesn’t deal with the other major type of abuse,

which is the failure to pay the correct amount. Time and time again, small businesses suffer shortfalls in their payments, with the only remedy costly adjudication. The only thing that can be said about the PPC is that, in suspending

The PPC has never had much traction in Scotland, and a voluntary code will never make any difference. There are only two measures that will have an impact – project bank accounts (PBAs) and protection of retention monies. PBAs prevent monies passing through different pockets; clients make payment to a ring-fenced bank account from which all project participants are paid. The ambition must be to mandate the use of PBAs for all construction works in Scotland. The Scottish Government is currently considering reform of the retentions system and SELECT and SEC Group Scotland continue to apply pressure for laws to protect retentions by insisting they are deposited in a trust. CABLEtalk

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FOCUS BUSINESS ADVICE

Follow the right path How to steer a course through the many pitfalls in modern business – and how to avoid going down the road of costly and lengthy disputes

By Len Bunton

FRICS FCIArb, HON FRIAS

SEC Group Scotland rom the feedback I receive, it’s clear to me that many SELECT Member firms are now looking at the markets they operate in and the employers and contractors they contract with. The bane of the industry in recent years has been suicidal tendering, and I know that is an issue the Scottish Government is looking at in conjunction with the Construction

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Industry Leadership Group, but there is no easy answer. My own opinion is that there should be greater concentration on a tenderer’s track record, on capability resources and the ability to deliver a complex project rather than focusing on price, but this will take a huge mindset shift, particularly in the public sector. One solution I think is for tenderers to be selective in the projects they are bidding for, and to seek out those procuring organisations who are interested in building long-term relationships for the procurement and construction of their projects. As an example, I was reading recently about a contractor in Scotland whose focus is on hotel projects. They are building up long-term relationships with some clients and achieving a steady stream of work with capability and “know-how”, and this is an important part of deliverability. The procurers benefit from having a project completed on time, to an acceptable level of quality and within budget, and they then move on to the next project with a degree of comfort. The issues concerning pricing have also impacted on design fees being tendered by design teams, architects, engineers and quantity surveyors, and

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the public sector in particular does not seem to wish to pay for the services required to procure and construct a major project. This is evidenced by the fact we are now witnessing a significant transfer of risk to the contractors at tender stage, which I touch on below.

Onerous contract conditions

I have written before about contractors taking on unacceptable levels of risk which are set out within contract documents and I do not hesitate to repeat again that it is essential you thoroughly study the contract documents you are pricing to see if there are risks and further issues which need to be reflected in your tender price, and also to see if any of the conditions of contract are heavily amended and/or contain onerous provisions, particularly on payment terms. I am aware that some contractors tabulate the risks which are being passed on before the signing of the contract, and they utilise this schedule during the delivery of the project. I quite often get faced with situations where contractors have signed up to onerous payment provisions which are having a serious impact on their cash flow and there is very little that one can

do about that. My advice is to make sure you don’t get into that position, so take some time and get some external advice on contracts and subcontracts to identify any problem clauses that will cause you difficulty at a later date – in other words, read the small print.

Contractors Design Portions [CDP] Another unwelcome feature now is the increasing level of CDP in contract documents. I have recently witnessed several major projects where the level of CDP packages was quite incredible – in one instance, 40 different CDP packages were involved. I relate this to the fact professional fee levels are so low that designers are having to pass the risk of CDP to the contractor and the supply chain. In my

experience as an adjudicator, there are many issues emerging from CDP – including a lack of clear definition as to scope, an inability to discuss how interface issues are going to be dealt with and an Continued on page 58 >>>

SIGN UP FOR SEMINARS Following successful seminars in 2018, SEC Group Scotland again organised events in Aberdeen and Motherwell on 24 and 25 September

respectively, aimed at giving Members advice on how to improve payment and cash flow positions. I would urge you to register for any

future seminars as I am sure you will find them extremely beneficial. For further information, please contact yvonne. wilson@select.org.uk

Next issue: Len answers you question r s

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FOCUS BUSINESS ADVICE Continued from page 57

inability to define accurately what the term “design development” means. There is only one answer and that is to sit with the contractor and the supply chain, once the preferred bidder has been identified, and work your way through these CDP issues with a responsibility matrix prior to contract, to try to avoid trouble later. I had another recent experience where one major CDP issue involved the whole design team and three or four other subcontractors who were all involved in the interface of their own packages into the design of the project. In some instances, email communication on the subject was circulated to 20 different people, all trying to solve the problem.

Avoiding disputes

So, what else can you do to avoid payment disputes? I am a great advocate of having an agreed schedule of payment dates, and you must ensure that you stick to these religiously. These schedules will set out the date of the application, the due date, the final date for payment and the dates when a pay less notice should be issued. If you stick to these then life will be a lot easier. It goes without saying that this does not necessarily mean you will get paid what you apply for, but at least it will ensure you are complying with the contractual payment requirements. If your application is late, it may not be valid, so set reminders on your calendar. There have been many adjudications in the past five years over arguments that contractors are not meeting the dates set out in the contract, and this has had a significant impact on cash flow. You can avoid the problem by doing as I suggest. Another factor relates to the accuracy of your payment applications, and my advice is to provide as much detail as you can to either the employer, or the contractor or subcontractor. If, for example, you are claiming 50% completion of first fix, then provide the relevant information to justify that, otherwise the chances are that someone will put a red pen through it. If you are claiming for variations, then you need to demonstrate that the work being claimed is a variation, and you need all the relevant paperwork in place to support that position. If you are claiming 58

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for materials on site, then provide the relevant delivery notes and supplier invoices. If you are claiming for dayworks, make sure these are substantiated with an instruction, and the signature of somebody on the employer or the contractor’s side – if you can get that – which is often a major problem. In short, do not give the third-party the opportunity to reduce the amount you are claiming and, if you are asked for further information, provide it.

Suspension or termination …or both

So, suspension or termination? In previous articles I touched on these provisions in the event you are not being paid by the final date for payment. I am seeing an increasing number of contractors and subcontractors threatening to suspend the performance of their obligation as a result of failure to pay on time. There are, of course, some difficulties attached with suspension. For example, where would you place the resources working on a project on other projects, what are the health and safety issues if you leave the site suddenly, and once you receive payment you then have to re-mobilise the project, which can create certain difficulties. It is a process that is to be thought through very carefully, but in my experience the threat of suspension and/or termination usually brings the late payer to the table.

Importance of notices

You also need to make sure that you get the timing of the various notifications right. Every contract or subcontract you enter into will have particular notification procedures, and this has been fertile ground for disputes for the last 15 years. Make sure that you read the notice provisions and comply with them. There

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Payment disputes can become costly and time-consuming

might be requirements for notices to go to a particular address or to be served by recorded delivery so don’t just assume that if you bang something out by email you have complied with the contractual provisions. This is the sort of area where contractors and subcontractors need to have internal procedures to make sure their contract management and commercial management people are aware of their obligations. The contract requires you to issue notices so don’t rely on verbal discussions, progress reports or minutes of meetings.

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH In my last article, I was critical of the adjudication process as a means of resolving construction disputes, and I’m grateful to several Members who have contacted me to tell

me about their own recent experiences, which resulted in them incurring significant costs and not achieving a satisfactory level of payment. I would encourage other Members

to send me details of any issues they have faced so that we can all share their experiences. Please email me on len@ buntonconsulting.co.uk

constraints schedule of any activities being delayed. Do this until issues are resolved. The agenda and minutes of site meetings are very important factors, so make sure these are as detailed as possible. Record notification of delays, reasons for these delays and information on any other relevant matters.

Extension of time claims

This is now an important feature on projects and it is critical that the proper notices are given on time, with the contractor and subcontractor recording and notifying the reason for delays, what has caused them and what needs to be done to prevent further delays occurring. Most of the claims I see in adjudication are sadly lacking in detail and the claim is simply not substantiated. As a result, it gets rejected, so it is entirely in the hands of the contractor and the subcontractor to make sure that the relevant evidence is provided to an adjudicator. The same criticism applies to loss and expense claims and there are usually too many general headings without adequate substantiation. As a result, the claim is likely to receive a red pen.

Time to dump retentions Records, records, records

If you end up in a dispute resolution process, then you will need to ensure that you have adequate records to support your position. Time and again contractors and subcontractors end up on the losing side of a dispute and are unable to prepare the information. I am a great believer that your internal procedures should ensure that these records have been kept and maintained. It can be helpful to agree the format and content of these records with the employer, or the contractor, during the delivery of the project, thus helping to avoid disputes. This can vary on a day-by-day basis – what resources are on site, what the resources are doing, all the resources being disrupted because of a lack of information or lack of access to a part of the project, or because other subcontractors are not performing etc. Take regular photographs of activities on site. I have seen video and even time-lapse cameras being used. Send the photos to your employer with a

The oldest chestnut in the construction industry has been a bane of the industry for over 40 years. Get rid of retentions. The industry has millions of pounds tied up in retentions and I have experienced a number of contractors who have a significant amount of money outstanding, and are having difficulty in collecting it – or are even forgetting to collect it. The Scottish Government is due to issue a consultation, and everyone knows the answer; they just need to bite the bullet and get rid of retentions once and for all. However, the industry also needs to respond by ensuring that defects are rectified quickly and at the end of the job we need to achieve a zero defects project. Once the industry focuses on that it will be easier for the public sector to support the complete abolition of retention.

Project bank accounts (PBAs)

These are likely to feature much more in public sector contracts and hopefully in private sector contracts, too. The Scottish Government is to be commended for reducing the threshold for building works

to £2 million. However, I believe there should be no threshold, and that the introduction of PBAs will have a significant impact on cash flow which will be welcomed throughout the industry. PBAs cannot resolve disputes, but they do allow main beneficiaries to be paid promptly once an agreement has been reached under the main contract. I suggest members read the Scottish Government paper Implementing Project Bank Accounts in Construction Contracts, dated 3 April 2019. There is also information on PBAs on the SELECT website. Both Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, and Rudi Klein, from the SEC Group, are to be commended for their energy and drive to see PBAs implemented in Scotland.

Adjudication?

If you accept my view that this is now becoming an endangered species, then what is the solution if somebody has not been paid on time? The answer lies in the introduction into contracts of a Conflict Avoidance Process (CAP). This calls in a third-party to consider what the issues are and to issue a non-binding recommendation for resolution. In many instances that individual can be the catalyst for the employer and the contractor to get around the table to find a solution themselves. It seems to me to be such a sensible process to adopt and it is significantly cheaper than commencing adjudication proceedings. This CAP has already been used successfully in London with projects for TfL, and there is a growing interest from the public sector in Scotland in introducing a process like this. For any member organisation interested, I would be happy to provide further information, and this is one topic that we will be highlighting in the forthcoming seminars I have mentioned above.

Conclusion

The main objective of SECG Scotland’s recent commercial seminars is improving the commercial management of construction projects for organisations involved in SECG. I’ve also tried to give a few pointers on avoiding disputes, and I hope you’ll take on board the suggestions and support the initiatives outlined.

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

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