Seven in 10 engineering services businesses (70 per cent) say they currently do not have enough competent employees to undertake ‘low to no carbon’ work, according to the findings of a new industry-wide ‘skills for climate’ consultation. Some 39 per cent of businesses say they believe they can hire more competent employees to meet the…
The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) today released its plans to tackle, what it believes to be “one of the most significant challenges faced by the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector ever”, the national shortage of professional installers, calling upon the industry to unite now or “risk future catastrophe.” BiKBBI is…
Electrical safety expert Bureau Veritas has unveiled a new testing and inspection service for electric vehicle (EV) charging points as latest figures show almost 10,000 new connections have been installed across the UK in the past year alone. Recent statistics from Zap-Map show there are now 33,779 charging points for electrical vehicles in the UK,…
To celebrate EIC Day we’re doing something a little different this year. Last year, we celebrated at our HQ with a trip around the world of beers and this year we’re giving you the chance to win three incredible prizes thanks to Kew Electrical and Edmundson Electrical Wolverhampton. Up for grabs in our EIC Day…
In a bid to curb the nearly seven million workdays lost annually in the UK due to musculoskeletal disorders and to reduce the health risks to construction workers from lifting, moving and handling large amounts of plasterboard, the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has published a Best Practice Guide, Recommendations for the Safe Ingress of…
The SPARKS Apprentice of the Year 2020 competition is set to crown a winner later this month – as the final goes ahead with a new format. Dozens of competitors took part in seven regional heats between January and March across the country, before the lockdown caused the competition to be postponed. Unfortunately the ongoing…
The Scottish construction industry has been urged to have its say in the new draft recovery plan for the sector, launched last week by the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF). The plan, which has been created collaboratively with the industry, sets out the pathway for joint action in response to the impact of COVID-19 on…
A Northern Ireland start-up which appeared on TV’s Dragons’ Den earlier this year has successfully closed a £350,000 funding round with local business angels to bring its innovative new insulated cable clip to market. Gray’s Clip, run by Lisburn-based co-founders Davy and Julie Gray, secured £250,000 of investment from a group of nine private investors…
We are living through an extremely challenging time where many building services businesses are being forced to make difficult decisions about their future, however, even during difficult times there are opportunities to evolve and thrive. To help tradespeople adapt in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Skills Training Group has launched a new free guide…
David Barlow, Chair of the Electrical Standards and Governance Group which oversees the Electrical Apprenticeships in England and provides routes for young people to further their electrical careers through the IET, celebrated his 70th birthday in August and 54 years in the electrical industry. His passion for the sector, and training the next generation of electricians,…