Natalie Burke | SJIB.org.uk

The SJIB has joined its fellow electrical bodies to congratulate two apprentices from north of the border who triumphed in a prestigious UK-wide competition.

Together with SELECT and the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), the SJIB has saluted Craig Fairweather and Andrew Horne for clinching gold and silver respectively in the recent SkillELECTRIC contest.

Craig, 23, was crowned 2022 SkillELECTRIC champion after a challenging two-day final which saw the cream of young electrical talent from across the UK battle it out for top spot.

Employed by SELECT Member firm McDonald & Munro in Moray, and trained by Moray College and SECTT, Craig excelled in a complicated task to install a range of first and second fix items including PVC/PVC surface clipping, plastic conduit, trunking and fireproof cable.

The runner-up spot went to his fellow Scottish apprentice Andrew, who works for SELECT Member firm A Campbell Electrical Services in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, and is trained by Lews Castle College and SECTT.

Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “This is a stunning victory and testament to the strength and quality of electrical apprenticeships in Scotland, which saw record numbers recruited in 2022 for the second year in a row.

“It is vital that we now keep investing in our apprentices and adult trainees to ensure we have a pipeline of talent who can follow in the footsteps of Craig and Andrew.

“We wish both lads the very best of luck in the future and hope they go on to enjoy long and prosperous careers.”

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “We are delighted to see apprentices from two SELECT Member firms come home with gold and silver. Many congratulations to Craig and Andrew, who are both a credit to their companies and their colleges.”

Anne Galbraith, CEO of SECTT, which manages high-quality training on behalf of the SJIB, added: “Craig and Andrew should be extremely proud of their achievements as they had to overcome some extremely tough competition to win.

“Scottish apprentices previously won silver and gold at SkillELECTRIC in 2018 and 2019, so they are continuing the fine tradition of apprentices being produced by Scotland.

“This victory also reinforces the importance of the excellent SJIB Modern Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation and demonstrates the ongoing commitment from employers, apprentices, colleges and the SJIB and SECTT teams.”

The SkillELECTRIC final took place at Middlesborough College on 16 and 17 November, with the winners announced on Friday 24 November during a live WorldSkills UK broadcast with TV presenter Steph McGovern.

Judges assessed the competitors in areas such as measuring accuracy within 2mm, horizontal and vertical alignment, electrical terminations, functionality, containment symmetry, inspection and testing and safe working practices.

The final included two other Scottish apprentices – Robert Rae of Dumfries & Galloway College, employed by SELECT Member firm Lotus Electrical Services, and Robbie Neave of Borders College and Braidwood Building Contractors.

All finalists received a range of prizes including equipment from CK Tools and SELECT Associate Members Megger and Scolmore, with Craig also receiving a Megger multi-function tester, an iPad, a 10-piece electrician’s tool kit, MightyRod PRO Cable Rod Kit, automatic wire stripper, voltage detector and trimming knife.

Organised by registered charity National Electrotechnical Training (NET), SkillELECTRIC sees the UK’s best electrical students and apprentices compete for the chance to represent their country at EuroSkills and WorldSkills events around the globe.

The SJIB’s Fiona Harpersays the electrical talent of tomorrow needs a thorough grounding in ALL aspects of installation – not just the green technology that will help on the journey to net zero.

Fiona, Secretary of the SJIB and Director of Employment and Skills for SELECT, insists it is essential for would-be electricians to follow the traditional apprenticeship route and undergo full training, not just try to specialise in low carbon areas.

Fiona also said funding was essential to continue the pipeline of electrical talent and attract more people into the UK construction sector, which is predicted to face a shortfall of 250,000 workers by 2026.

Speaking on the Clive Holland Show on Fix Radio, Fiona said: “The country and the industry needs apprenticeships and full-blown electricians. But what we don’t need is people who come in and can only install solar PV or electric vehicle (EV) charging units – that doesn’t work in electrical installation.

“Electricians need the foundational knowledge to apply their holistic knowledge and skills to install ANY technology correctly and safely, whatever it may be.

“That’s not to say they might not need some upskilling in certain specialisms, but we don’t need the ‘six-week wonders’ and we’ve worked with the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland to really try to get that message across.”

Fiona, who is also The Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), said the industry was eager to support apprenticeships to help plug the skills gap – but financial backing was also needed at Scottish Government level to achieve the necessary numbers.

She said: “We are an employer-led industry, so if an employer says they would like an apprentice, we go out of our way to supply one through the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT).

“However, we need government funding to do this as we have no employer levy. Instead, we do a lot through time and talent to support what we know is a good system.”

Fiona’s comments came after SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson also appeared on the national station for the building sector to stress the importance of proper training and SELECT’s ongoing campaign for the regulation of the electrical industry in Scotland.

Speaking on The Electrical Show with Thomas Nagy last week, he said: “We are committed to ensuring that people are properly trained and qualified in this industry because we have heard too many stories about the consequences of poor workmanship and poor installations.”

SELECT also warned earlier this month that “significant investment” is needed to ensure there is a sufficiently skilled workforce to install new domestic heating technology and meet net zero targets safely.

Responding to a recent Scottish Government consultation into the New Build Heat Standard, the association sad investment in “proper” apprenticeships and upskilling the existing workforce is essential – and it’s also vital to upgrade the nation’s electrical supply to accommodate green domestic technology.

Listen to Fiona’s interview here.

The SJIB and SELECT have issued a joint reminder that aggression towards their staff will not be tolerated.

The warning comes after recent incidents of abusive callers, including one where a young staff member was left extremely upset after being sworn at by an operative.

Both bodies have now reminded Members that they take a zero tolerance approach to such behaviour and will escalate the issue to employers if required.

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “We strongly condemn any form of abuse or aggression towards our colleagues, who should not have to put up with such behaviour.

“We understand that people can become frustrated when they feel that matters aren’t being dealt with as they might wish, but if that anger escalates into aggression, that is unacceptable and simply won’t be tolerated.

“Such behaviour can include language that may cause our staff to feel afraid or threatened, and includes swearing, threats, personal verbal abuse and derogatory remarks.”

Phone calls to both the SJIB and SELECT will now be monitored, and staff will end conversations if they consider the caller to be aggressive or offensive.

If abuse from an individual persists, the SJIB and SELECT will consider escalating the matter to their employer.

Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, added: “Our staff work incredibly hard to help operatives and in return they have the right to carry out their job in peace.

“Unfortunately we have endured a number of unpleasant incidents recently, and while most callers are patient and understanding, these isolated incidents are upsetting for staff and must be addressed.”

The Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) have hailed another record year for electrical apprenticeships in Scotland as learners rush to take their place as the talent of tomorrow.

The number of new learners enrolling on the SJIB Electrical Apprentice and Adult Training Programmes for 2022 has risen from just over 800 last year to just under 1,000, with colleges and training centres reporting full classrooms.

Some 800 apprentices and 157 adult trainees are now taking their first steps on the electrical ladder, boosting the total number in training in Scotland to 3,000.

Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “This has been another exceptional year and it is encouraging to see a healthy pipeline of apprentices and adult trainees wanting to learn the skills required to power the electrical future that awaits us all.

“Employers should also be saluted for continuing to nurture and encourage young electrical talent and help them along the path to a highly-rewarding career.

“There remain many challenges for the construction industry, but it is heartening that the demand for electrical apprenticeships, and the willingness of employers to make them available, continues to grow.”

Anne Galbraith, CEO at SECTT, which manages high-quality training on behalf of the SJIB, said: “This is another encouraging development which contributes to the determination of the industry here in Scotland to tackle the UK-wide skills shortage.

“Colleges and training centres are to be applauded for increasing capacity and offering staggered start dates to accommodate demand. They have been doing great work in helping students embrace all the modern technologies which will play such a huge part in a greener and more sustainable future.

“Equally, the quality and diversity of apprentices has been gratifyingly high, and it is particularly encouraging to see a growing cohort of female apprentices and an increase in those with a disability, making their distinct contribution to the growth of the sector.”

The new 2022 intake is the highest figure for 13 years and comes after a total of 817 new entrants to the industry were recruited in 2021 – up 35% on the 2020 intake during the height of the pandemic.

Fiona, who is also Director of Employment & Skills at SELECT added: “This improved intake illustrates yet again that people recognise the future is electric and also understand that their personal prospects will be brighter if they are part of a sector that is going to play a key part in all our lives.

“The industry has been concerned for some time about skills shortages as the demand for qualified electricians accelerates, and the enthusiasm and dedication of these new recruits goes a long way to easing these fears and suggesting that there is a real appetite to learn leading edge skills.”

Author: Natalie Burke

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