INDUSTRY NEWS
INDUSTRY NEWS
A rise in the number of apprenticeships has led to an increased need for independent assessors .
ELECTRICIANS WANTED TO FILL ASSESSOR SKILLS GAP
A campaign to recruit more NVQ assessors has been launched by training provider JTL , following concerns of a skills shortage in this area and the negative impact it could have on apprenticeship quality .
A welcome rise in the number of apprenticeships has led to an increased need for independent assessors who can visit an apprentice to review their on-site work , provide guidance on their NVQ portfolio and support their development .
Unfortunately , with a shortage of assessors across England and Wales , the quality of apprenticeships could be at risk because apprentices are not given the pastoral and technical support they need . JTL is keen to ensure that increasing learner numbers do not impact the quality of its assessments .
Electricians who have worked in the industry for several years are ideal assessors , as they are fully versed with current working practices and industry techniques .
‘ Becoming an assessor allows you to give something back ,’ said Julie Asher-Smith , human resources director of JTL . ‘ It ’ s an opportunity to share the experience and skills you ’ ve gained over the years .’
To find out more about qualifying , visit www . jtlassociatesjobs . com
SUBCONTRACTORS ARE FILLING THE SKILLS SHORTAGE
A survey of over 350 contractors by specialist insurer , ECIC , has underlined the immense pressure the sector is under to fill skills shortages . Of those surveyed , 78 per cent were impacted by skills shortages , with 56 per cent planning to increase their use of subcontractors to help fill the gap . Industry initiatives to encourage young people to join the sector appear to be working , however , with almost a third of contractors intending to take on more apprentices in the next year .
‘ Greater use of subcontractors can make the task of managing health and safety on site much more complex ,’ said Richard Forrest Smith , CEO of ECIC , ‘ So it is important main contractors understand their responsibilities , not just to subcontractors but to the apprentices they employ too .’
Bona fide contractors will be responsible for managing their own health and safety and have their own systems of work . In contrast , labour only subcontractors should be treated , from a duty of care perspective , like a directly employed member of staff . As main contractors tend to remain contractually liable for works undertaken by their sub-contractors , ECIC advises that they should always satisfy themselves of the adequacy of their bona fide sub-contractors ’ health and safety documentation .
Apprentices should be treated by the contractor as an employee . Contractors have a responsibility to ensure adequate supervision , taking into consideration the experience , knowledge and ability of the apprentice .
Richard Forrest Smith concludes , ‘ It ’ s vital main contractors create an embedded approach to health and safety amongst the entire workforce . The alternative is greater risk of accidents on site , potentially leading to liability claims , prosecutions , fines and even a jail sentence .’
TAMLITE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AFTER WINNING QUALITY AWARD
Tamlite Lighting , has become the first company to win the Lighting Industry Association ’ s Quality Assurance ( LIAQA ) Award . The business , which distributes its products exclusively through CEF , was awarded the distinction for to its ongoing commitment to best practice , excellence and quality assurance .
Launched this year , the LIAQA scheme aims to ensure suppliers of lighting and lighting-related products have processes in place that result in high product quality and standards compliance . Tamlite was a founding participant of the project and impressed the LIA ’ s judging panel with its dedication to maintaining standards across its seven sites .
Meeting the standards of the LIAQA scheme is an important priority for Tamlite and the company has invested over £ 100,000 in specialist test facilities as part of the process . The company ’ s seven main Midland ’ s factories each underwent separate LIAQA assessments and gained accreditation in less than two years .
‘ Winning the LIA ’ s first award for quality assurance gives our customers confidence in our commitment to high standards across our product range ,’ explained John Allden , general manager at Tamlite .
ESP HELPS CONTRACTORS BREAK INTO THE SECURITY SECTOR
Despite having the skills to diversify into various aspects of security such as CCTV , access control and fire safety , many installers are still reluctant to branch out , believing that this is a specialist area . To help electrical contractors harness the potential of this growing sector , ESP is hosting a series of free , in-house training programmes .
Two training programmes are available . The security programme takes place once each month , accommodating up to 22 candidates . It provides an overview of all ESP product categories including CCTV , access control , external security , fire protection and emergency lighting . The aim is to simplify the installation process , demonstrating ease of set up and programming .
There is also one session each month of fire training , accommodating eight candidates at a time . This session aims to cover best practice installation , setting up and final commissioning of ESP ’ s Magpro addressable range . Candidates are supplied with a copy of the PC programming software , as well as a certificate for the attendance of a Level 1 Magpro addressable fire products commissioning course .
‘ Installation of fire and security equipment is often considered a specialist area ,’ said Neil Baldwin , ESP sales director . ‘ We are keen to demonstrate to electrical contractors how they can benefit from offering these additional services to their customers .’
Dates for training are available throughout the year and can be booked directly with ESP . Further details are available at www . espuk . com .
TRADESMEN LIFT THE LID ON COWBOY CUSTOMERS
Each of Tamlite ’ s seven Midland ’ s factories underwent separate LIAQA assessments
The crimes of cowboy builders are well publicised , but AXA ’ s latest study finds that rogue traders may well be outnumbered by rogue customers .
Eight in ten tradesmen told the survey they regularly encounter customers who attempt to knock down the agreed fee or avoid paying them by pushing back payment deadlines or disputing the fee once work is complete .
Clients can also unwittingly hinder work by : Insisting on cheap or unsuitable materials ; not providing clear job specs ; ignoring tradesmen ’ s advice ; asking them to do tasks they aren ’ t qualified for ; or hanging around while they try to work .
Another bugbear is having to work around animals that are not properly under control or being asked to work in unsanitary conditions . Meanwhile , 26 per cent of tradespeople say they have had a customer flirt with them in a way that made them feel uncomfortable , demeaned or threatened .
‘ We live in a society which tends to look down on skilled manual work in general , often undervaluing the knowledge , judgement and craftsmanship it involves ,’ said Gareth Howell , managing director of trades insurer AXA . ‘ Tradespeople are the best insured small businesses in the UK and follow health and safety regulations designed to protect customers . But householders also have a duty of care towards people working in their home : At the most basic level , they should provide a clean work space , and ensure animals and children are out of the way .’
8 | August 2017