ECA News New ECA president appointed
PAUL MCNAUGHTON, managing director of Darke and Taylor, has been appointed president of the ECA for 2012-13. Inaugurated at the
ECA’s annual conference in Paphos, Cyprus, McNaughton brings 38 years of experience working in the electrical industry to his presidency. He is the 99th president in the ECA’s history, and previously served as chair of the Oxford branch between 2002 and 2004. He is an active
member of the ECA’s Education and Training, and Employee Relations Committees. He also sits on the national board of the JIB, and is the Chair of the London, South East and Southern RJIB.
REVIEW MUST EXCLUDE WORTHLESS COURSES
THE ECA SAYS A NEW GOVERNMENT review of apprenticeships – the Richard Review – must lead to the exclusion of courses unrecognised by industry, if it is to restore faith in the apprenticeship brand.
Iain Macdonald, ECA Head of Education and Training, said: ‘I’m delighted to see that the government has finally started asking questions about whether some apprenticeships really deliver value for money. We strongly believe that funding should only be used for courses that prepare an individual for a career, whether in a catering firm, a manufacturing plant or, indeed, as an electrician. Government must ensure that only apprenticeships with industry- recognised outcomes receive funding. It is these that provide a real route to employment, guaranteeing the government’s investment will pay dividends in years to come.’ Macdonald continued:
‘Government initiatives such as Feed- In Tariffs and the Green Deal mean electricians are a critical part of the 21st century construction industry.
14 ECA Today July 2012
Ensuring we have a skilled workforce for years to come is the best possible return on investment, as they are the people who will help the country meet its carbon reduction targets today and be the business leaders of tomorrow. With the review being led by entrepreneur Doug Richard, we hope to see conclusions that genuinely benefit industry, employees and the economy, rather than training providers and firms looking to offload the cost of basic training onto taxpayers.’
During his presidency, McNaugton has committed himself to helping firms, especially SMEs, get through the current difficult economic climate, and is determined to ensure that routes into an electrical contracting career remain open for apprentices. He also believes that contractors need to continue to invest in developing management skills, to ensure they are well placed to meet demand, to capitalise on new markets and explore new opportunities. Paul McNaughton commented: ‘This appointment is a real privilege. The industry has given me a lot over the years, from a livelihood and a career, to valued friends and a real understanding of the word ‘co-operation’.’ McNaughton continued: ‘We need to work together to make sure that our industry weathers the current financial difficulties. From investing in skills and training, to exploring and securing new business opportunities, we need to make the most of every opportunity to ensure that our businesses remain fighting fit. The ECA is here to help.’
Steve Bratt, ECA group chief executive officer, commented: ‘Paul McNaughton has been an active and valued member of the ECA for many years. We are delighted to appoint him as president. The association and its members can only benefit from his decades of experience and passion for skills development.’
ECA Parliamentary roundtable backs Wired for Success
MPS, COUNCILLORS AND SOCIAL housing associations need to push reform in training and benefits to get women back into work, a Parliamentary forum hosted by the ECA has agreed.
The debate was sponsored by Catherine McKinnell MP, Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury. Participants used the ECA’s innovative pilot project, Wired for Success: ECA Women into Electrical Contracting, as an example of how to tackle the issue of unemployment for under- represented groups across the country. McKinnell said: ‘Wired for Success is a fantastic example of how those organisations who manage social housing stock can set up training programmes for their residents, as well as involving their contractors in offering work-based training. It needs to be replicated. In that way, we will create opportunities, we will get the economy moving, and get people into work.’ Wired for Success is a London- based pilot project that aims to train women living in social housing to work in the electrical sector. The
programme currently sees women living in housing operated by social housing association L&Q undertaking a flexible two-year practical training course. Training is provided by EAS Education, with contractor partners Axis Europe, Mulalley, and Smith and Byford providing on-site experience. On completion, the women will have the opportunity to work full time and will be armed with the skills to start their own businesses, should they choose to do so.
Commenting on the initiative, Diane
Johnson, ECA past president, skills ambassador and driving force behind the initiative, said: ‘Less than one per cent of those working in the electrical industry are women. Part of the reason for this is the training structure to enter the industry, which is why Wired for Success has more flexibility to fit in with concerns such as childcare arrangements.’
The debate highlighted that councillors across the UK are eager to find new models that get their social housing residents off benefits and into work.
SHUTTERSTOCK / AUREMAR
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