TRAINING APPRENTICE OVER FROM DOWN UNDER
Three electrical contractors have said ‘you’re hired’ to an Australian apprentice on an exchange trip organised by the Joint Industry Board (JIB). Mitchell Murray, 20, spent time working with Spie Matthew Hall, J Brand and NG Bailey over the six week programme. During his trip he learned how the electrical contracting industry works in this country and acted as an ambassador for his own industry. At the start of his visit Mitchell visited the JIB head office to sit a health and safety assessment in order to gain his Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) card.
Mitchell’s visit follows last year’s exchange where English apprentice Shona Rawlins visited Australia. Discussions are now underway with the New York JIB to investigate a similar scheme with the United States. ‘The exchange scheme is an excellent way of
learning more about another country’s electrical contracting industry whilst providing a great opportunity for a promising apprentice,’ said Steve
NAPIT OPENS BRISTOL TRAINING CENTRE
NAPIT Training has opened the doors to its new Bristol based training centre. The partially sustainable facility utilises state-of–the-art PV panels and biomass boilers to generate heating and power whilst also boasting spacious training rooms, assessment rooms, a substantial renewable energy training area and a comfortable canteen and lounge facility. NAPIT director Martin
Bruno commented, ‘We’re all really proud of what we’ve accomplished and by embracing renewable energy technologies and incorporating them into the building’s design we aim to lead by example. The sheer scope of opportunity that our new training institute presents is very exciting indeed. I’m sure our members will fully appreciate the facility and all it offers.’ NAPIT Training will now be able
to offer courses in renewable energy from Bristol and after running reputable training courses for several years it’s now estimated that 2012 will see enrolment figures peak. The centre will run BPEC/ C&G/BlueFlame approved courses throughout the electrical domain whilst also encompassing renewable energy technologies and NAPIT expect over 200 enrolees to attend on a monthly basis.
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Brawley, chief executive of the JIB. ‘We thank the three employers for providing the valuable work experience placements and wish Mitchell the best of luck.’
Also during his stay Mitchell visited the Olympic Park and the Sellafield nuclear plant, as well as the Electrical Contractors’ Association, Unite the Union and JTL.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RECOGNISED WITH NEW APPRENTICE CARD
Ann Watson, managing director of EMTA Awards Limited (EAL), has welcomed the latest commitment to raise the profile of apprenticeships and hopes this will achieve greater parity between skills education and the non- vocational route.
John Hayes, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, announced in June the latest business backed initiative to raise the status of apprenticeships, with the introduction of the Apprentice Society and Apprentice Card which is supported by the National Union of Students (NUS) and key industry players. Watson commented, ‘I am absolutely delighted to see businesses – who appreciate the real value of an apprentice – taking the lead to achieve greater respect for the vocational route. Giving apprentices access to the same entitlements as the current NUS scheme affords academic students a crucial first step to tackling the inequalities between the two routes. Work based learners should absolutely receive the same discounts, events and advice that academic students have had for so long. This will hopefully be a step in the right direction to showing our young people that the vocational and academic route is on the same page and both are of equal value.’
ELECSA ON TOUR WITH WIRING REGULATIONS ROADSHOW
Elecsa has been touring the UK with a Wiring Regulations roadshow to explain the new changes in the first amendment, as well as teaming up with parent organisation, the ECA, to launch a new online training package for the 17th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations. By mid-July, Elecsa had staged almost 30 roadshow seminars, the purpose of which are to explain the facts and discard myths
surrounding implementation as well as directing its existing contractors to its free helpline that provides practical advice from electrical engineers who understand the issues surrounding the new Wiring Regulations amendment. ‘There is a lot of misinformation about the new Wiring Regulations based upon rumour only and our job is to put over the facts,’ said Connor Flynn, lead assessor for Elecsa who has already presented to a number of the roadshow audiences. Flynn added, ‘Despite the fact that there are 100 new pages compared to the existing regulations, there are very few changes and those that are there are more about proving compliance to the regulations laid down in the 2008 edition than any new thinking.’
FREE TRAINING COURSES AT NIKO UK HEADQUARTERS
Niko UK has
expanded its training programme to provide courses in installing and programming its Nikobus home automation system alongside the latest concept from Niko - its new generation of electrical installation – Niko Home Control. Niko UK is
encouraging its installers and electricians to visit the training suite at its Toddington headquarters to increase their skills and ensure that they are up to date with the latest energy management and control solutions delivered by Niko. Hosted by Niko UK’s Stephen Calder and Paul Dall’Occo, the training days focus on how to install, program, and specify the company’s range of DIN rail mountable lighting, home control and home automation systems. Training takes place at the company’s UK offices and each training course takes just one day and is available free of charge to qualifying installers, with each day beginning at 10am and finishing at 4pm (with lunch included). Commenting on its offering, sales director Stephen Calder said, ‘The core features of easy installation and programming apply equally to both systems and by taking advantage of the free training, installers will have all the tools they need to provide the perfect installation – every time.’ For further information visit:
www.niko-uk.co.uk
SECTT AND ESC GIVE STUDENTS A SAFE START
Eight hundred young electricians in Scotland are getting a safe start to their careers with a free lock out kit worth £30 from the Electrical Safety Council (ESC), in partnership with the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT). Lock out kits can potentially save lives by ensuring that electricians use safe isolation practices when working on electrical installations. The kits make sure that the electricity in a property is turned off and stays off until the job is completed, eliminating the danger of a potentially fatal electric shock. ‘Severe accidents have occurred when electricians have failed to isolate the electricity supply before working on an electrical installation,’ explained Phil Buckle, director general of the ESC. ‘Giving a free lock out kit to young electricians ensures they have the right equipment to make sure an installation is safe before they start work. It’s vital that everyone in the industry adopts safe working practices and procedures and it’s essential that this is developed right at the start of an electrician’s career.’ The kits will be provided to students studying at 22 colleges across Scotland including colleges in Inverness, Dundee and Edinburgh.
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