Scotland: consultation on electrician status
Senior industry figures have welcomed the Scottish Government’s pledge to publish a consultation on the regulation of electricians – but have also urged them to make it happen soon.
The announcement in the 2019-20 Programme for Government was accompanied by an assurance from Holyrood that it would launch an awareness campaign to make it easier for consumers to find qualified electricians. The move was immediately endorsed by SELECT, the electrotechnical trade association, NICEIC and the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB).
Alan Wilson, managing director of SELECT, said: “This is very welcome news and another important step forward in protecting the safety of people and businesses who use the services of an electrician.
“The consultation will allow interested parties to express their view on our wish to ensure that only those who are appropriately qualified to do so are allowed to carry out electrical work in people’s homes.”
Kevan Parker, managing director of NICEIC, added: “This announcement adds further momentum to our commitment to improve consumer safety and protection. NICEIC has led the way in informing householders about the need to use a registered electrician. We welcome the Scottish Government support to raise awareness on this matter and look forward to working with them to make finding a registered electrician easier.”
Fiona Harper, secretary of the SJIB, added: “This announcement is another step on the road to protecting the reputation of properly qualified electricians, both now and for the next generation. Ensuring that skills, qualifications and competence are mandatory for all electrical work in Scotland will underpin the future of our industry and help raise the bar across our profession as a whole.”
The announcement is the latest milestone in a long-running joint campaign for recognition of electrician as a profession – but Wilson added a note of caution. “Although we obviously welcome the announcement, we also want to see it come to fruition as soon as possible. Shoddy and sub-standard electrical work carries the risk of death and injury, so the longer we delay, the higher the risk to the public. The integrity of the industry and the safety of the people of Scotland are paramount, so the longer this consultation takes, the more risk is posed by so-called electricians with no qualifications at all.”
