ECA News T
by Carol Wrench, head of Communications
his year looks set to be a particularly full calendar for ECA lobbying, as the political agenda for 2012 is brimming with issues affecting our members, from the Feed-in
Tariff scheme (FITs) to the Green Deal and to the Building Regulations in both England and Wales. Green issues figure highly on the agenda for 2012, although it’s been a turbulent start to the year as far as FITs is concerned, with snap government announcements on reducing FITs and subsequent high court decisions grabbing the headlines. As we went to press on this issue of ECA Today, the legal situation had still not been fully resolved. However, hundreds of ECA members now install solar photovoltaics (PV), and the ECA has been actively representing their interests. Nonetheless, the entire microgeneration industry is waiting to see what the impact will be on FITs and how the outcome – and uncertainty surrounding the issue – affects customer demand over the months ahead.
Confidence building The FITs situation in isolation is worrying enough; however, the current debacle does not bode well for the delivery of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), or even the forthcoming Green Deal initiative. Contractors need certainty if they are to expand their businesses into the green marketplace; customers
need certainty if they are going to invest in green measures. U-turns and rapid changes in policy do not inspire confidence.
Continuing with the green agenda, in Europe the Energy Efficiency Directive is rapidly gathering momentum. We are working hard, both through the European Association of Electrical Contractors (AIE) and by engaging directly with MEPs responsible for drafting this legislation, to ensure that the vital role that electricians will play in the ultimate success and safe delivery of carbon reduction targets is recognised, and that electrical contractors are able to participate fully in this market. At home, we are also engaging with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on this issue, to ensure that government has a comprehensive understanding of our role and contribution.
Cutting red tape Other key priorities are the Red Tape Challenge and the Building Regulations. We seem to have entered yet another ‘consultation craze’ in this respect. Building Regulations hugely impact on the operating landscape of our members, and we are engaging to raise the profile of electrical contractors – to limit bureaucracy and to create a level playing field for all. As the Regulations in Wales have been devolved to the Welsh Assembly government, we intend to build on existing relationships to input
into the shaping of Welsh regulations. A common thread interwoven amongst all of our lobbying, from Building Regulations to sustainability, is skills. We are lobbying government to secure the future success of our industry, and petitioning to make sure that it backs only courses that provide real outcomes for both the learner and employer.
Have your say Following the successful soft launch of our grassroots lobbying programme, we are ready to roll the campaign out across the country during 2012. This programme is designed to complement and bolster our national lobbying agenda, and offers each region the chance to tailor messages to incorporate their own regional perspective on issues dear to them. For some, the issue of cut-out fuses remains a challenge, while for others, the skills agenda figures highly. This is our members’ opportunity to add their voice to the debate and to reinforce our central lobbying, both raising the lobbying profile of the association and ECA member businesses. The public affairs team will be visiting regional conferences to introduce the campaign, and we hope that members will work with us to make sure that their voice is heard.
n Visit
www.eca.co.uk/lobbying for more info on the ECA’s engagement strategy and lobbying.
VIEW FROM THE LOBBY
2012 ECA circulars
FEBRUARY 2012 n Circular 33 2012 – ECA Online Certificates & Software Packages Date published online: 16/02/2012. Category: Technical n Circular 32 2012 – ECA is supporting Climate Week, Britain’s biggest climate change campaign, 12 to 18 March 2012 Date published online: 16/02/2012. Category: Environment. n Circular 31 2012 – Modular hire industry signs up to skills competence Date published online: 16/02/2012. Category: Training. n Circular 30 2012 – Revised IET 17th Edition On-Site Guide available from ECA shop Date published online: 16/02/2012. Category: Technical. n Circular 29 2012 – CHAS moves to annual assessment Date published online: 16/02/2012. Category: Health & Safety. n Circular 28 2012 – ECA training partner OSTAS goes from strength to strength Date published online: 09/02/2012. Category: Training. n Circular 27 2012 – Employers are also Edmundson Awards ‘winners’ Date published online: 09/02/2012. Category: Training. n Circular 26 2012 – Nexus Recall Notice for 5 Amp Fuse Wire Date published online: 09/02/2012. Category: Technical.
n Circular 25 2012 – Consultation on proposed changes to the Building Regulations Date published online: 09/02/2012. Category: Technical. n Circular 24 2012 – Subscribe to ECA’s online British & European Standards library and save money Date published online: 09/02/2012. Category: Technical. n Circular 23 2012 – New logo and marketing pack for JIB members Date published online: 01/02/2012. Category: Sales & Marketing. n Circular 22 2012 – HMRC Electrician’s Tax Safe Plan Date published online: 01/02/2012. Category: Finance Matters. n Circular 21 2012 – Discounted Training for Environmental Technologies (England only) Date published online: 01/02/2012. Category: Training. n Circular 20 2012 – Interest for Late Payment Date published online: 01/02/2012. Category: Finance Matters. n Circular 19 2012 – Overview of funding available for training Date published online: 01/02/2012. Category: Training.
JANUARY 2012 n Circular 18 2012 – Free workshops on the Green Deal.
Date published online: 26/01/2012. Category: Environment. n Circular 17 2012 – Entrepreneur and designer Wayne Hemingway is this year’s Conference guest speaker. Date published online: 26/01/2012. Category: Sales & Marketing.
n Circular 16 2012 – HSE Safety Alert: Laptop computer charging trolleys. Date published online: 26/01/2012. Category: Health & Safety. n Circular 15 2012 – ECA Today shortlisted for IOIC Awards. Date published online: 26/01/2012. Category: Sales & Marketing. n Circular 14 2012 – Feed-in Tariff (FIT) update. Date published online: 19/01/2012. Category: Environment. n Circular 13 2012 – Accessing qualification records and archives. Date published online: 19/01/2012. Category: Training. n Circular 12 2012 – Nominations now open for the 2012 ECA Edmundson Awards. Date published online: 19/01/2012. Category: Training. n Circular 11 2012 – ECA Annual Dinner on 15 February 2012. Date published online: 19/01/2012. Category: ECA Service Updates. n Circular 10 2012 – Helping employers challenge inappropriate safety inspector advice. Date published online: 12/01/2012. Category: Health & Safety. n Circular 9 2012 – Seminar on Project Bank Accounts, 25 April 2012. Date published online: 12/01/2012. Category: Finance Matters.
n Circular 8 2012 – Update on the FLASH programme and chance to receive £100 voucher. Date published online: 12/01/2012. Category: Environment. n Circular 7 2012 – Withholding CITB Levy. Date published online: 12/01/2012. Category: Finance Matters. n Circular 6 2012 – First prosecution under the Bribery Act 2010. Date published online: 12/01/2012. Category: Legislation. n Circular 5 2012 – ECA partners with Lutron to deliver technology events. Date published online: 04/01/2012. Category: Technical. n Circular 4 2012 – Crossrail ‘Meet the Contractor’ Event. Date published online: 04/01/2012. Category: Tendering and contract administration. n Circular 3 2012 – JIB holiday arrangements for Christmas 2012 and New Year 2013. Date published online: 04/01/2012. Category: Employee Relations. n Circular 2 2012 – Increase in limits to statutory payments. Date published online: 04/01/2012. Category: Employee Relations. n Circular 1 2012 – Daywork Rates 2012. Date published online: 04/01/2012. Category: Finance Matters.
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ECA Today March 2012
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