SELECT and wider electrical industry praised as MSP Colin Beattie lodges special motion in Scottish Parliament to mark International Electricians’ Day
Posted by: electime 4th June 2026
Colin Beattie, left, with SELECT Past President Kevin Griffin
A prominent MSP has lodged a formal motion in the Scottish Parliament to mark International Electricians’ Day 2026 and recognise the profession’s huge contribution to Scottish communities and the wider economy.
The SNP’s Colin Beattie has tabled the declaration ahead of the event next Wednesday (June 10), which will celebrate the 2.7 million electrotechnical professionals working across Europe.
Mr Beattie has used the motion to say that electricians are “essential” to delivering Scotland’s transition to net zero, commend trade body SELECT for its ongoing support – and highlight the need to tackle the ongoing skills shortage in the industry.
In his motion on the Scottish Parliament website, Mr Beattie – who was returned for Midlothian North at the recent parliamentary elections – notes that the Parliament “recognises International Electricians’ Day, which is marked annually on 10 June to highlight the contribution of electrical professionals.
“The Parliament acknowledges the vital role that electricians play across Scotland in designing, installing and maintaining electrical systems that keep homes powered, public services operational, hospitals functioning and businesses productive and commends electricians and electrical contractors working across Scotland for their contribution to communities and the economy.
“It also recognises the contribution of SELECT, the trade association for the electrical contracting industry in Scotland, in supporting the profession, promoting skills development and maintaining high standards across the sector.”
The motion – which has been backed by ten other MSPSs since being tabled on 29 May – also notes that the Parliament “recognises that electricians are essential to delivering Scotland’s transition to net zero, including through the rollout of renewable energy, electrification of heat and transport and the modernisation of buildings and infrastructure.
“It also notes with concern the ongoing skills shortages within the electrical profession and the need to attract and retain new apprentices and adult trainees and notes calls for the Scottish Government, employers and training providers to continue to promote careers in the electrical trades and support apprenticeships and skills development to meet future needs.”
Sharon Miller, the new Managing Director at SELECT, said: “We are very grateful that Mr Beattie has highlighted this important day, which is being promoted by our friends at EuropeOn, the European voice of the electrical contracting industry, with the message ‘Skilled Hands, Resilient Europe’.
“It is very timely that the Scottish Parliament is helping to celebrate the men and women who not only keep the lights burning and wheels turning across the country, but are integral to the administration’s ongoing commitment to building a greener, fairer society.
“However, as the motion states, we must also be aware of the challenges the sector faces, including skills shortages and the need to attract and retain new apprentices and adult trainees, an issue on which SELECT has consistently campaigned.”
Mr Beattie has been a long-term supporter of SELECT’s ongoing crusade for regulation, which wants to make it an offence for someone to call themselves an electrician when they have no, or inadequate, qualifications.
He is among the many politicians who have signed up to the association’s Wall of Support – including new MSPs David Barratt and Lloyd Melville, who added their backing shortly after being elected to the new Scottish Parliament in May.
