SELECT and representatives of Unite the union have met Keith Brown, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, to discuss the issue of rogue electricians and the continuing threat that they pose to public safety
At the meeting Mr. Brown agreed to explore what might be able to be done in relation to protecting the title of electrician and empowering consumers when they make decisions around the provision of electrical works in their homes.
SELECT has been at the forefront of a campaign to pursue official recognition of electricians as professional people and to help stamp out the ongoing problem of untrained individuals posing as qualified tradesmen.
The trade body has emphasised the length and quality of training that electricians undertake and the benefits of regulation. It has also called on the Scottish Government to create a new offence of working while unqualified to do so.
Newell McGuinness, the managing director of SELECT who led the delegation to see Mr. Brown, said: “We have worked constructively with Government officials over many months, assembling evidence and producing a detailed evidence report. We have also canvassed opinion and met with universal support.”
“With Unite, we have pointed out that regulation will stimulate the apprenticeships upon which we set so much store and there is already in place a respected long established self-regulatory structure which can be built upon when protection of title is achieved.”
Bernard McAulay, National Officer of Unite the union said: “Safety is at the forefront of everyone’s minds in the electrotechnical industry and it is vitally important that people can be assured that the electricians they employ are fully qualified and compliant with all regulations currently in force.”
SELECT and Unite’s aim is the delivery of the highest standards of professionalism and quality workmanship and promoting constant improvement to achieve these goals. It is their belief that the industry should ensure high standards of safety and competence so that any customer can rely on any electrician he or she may employ.
