News ECA and ESC join forces
consumers, and benefi ts for contractors.’ He added: ‘These actions show that we have
Charles Tanswell, chair of ESC (left) and Paul McNaughton, president of the ECA (right)
In a groundbreaking move for the electrical industry, the ECA and the Electrical Safety
Council (ESC) have signed a major partnership agreement that sees the creation of the Electrical Safety Register – the defi nitive online database for anyone looking for the services of a quality, competent electrical contractor. In addition, as part of the new partnership, from 1 April 2013, ELECSA, ECA Certifi cation and NICEIC schemes will be operated by a new company – Certsure LLP – that will be equally-owned and governed by the ECA and ESC. Announcing the agreement, ECA group CEO
Steve Bratt said: ‘We believe this will provide unity for our sector, simplicity for our clients and
listened: we have listened to government, who want industry to solve its own issues; we have listened to consumers, who want one place to go to fi nd competent electricians; and we have listened to our customers, and we are united in their interests – and we intend to infl uence the development of our industry for their benefi t.’ Commenting on the partnership, Phil Buckle of the ESC, said: ‘Today is one of the defi ning moments, and indeed, an historic moment for the industry, because the Electrical Safety Register will strengthen the industry and certainly give positive support to the electrical safety agenda and assist the ESC in taking forward its messages to the public.’ The partnership is expected to bring many
benefi ts to ELECSA, ECA Certifi cation and NICEIC registrants. The Electrical Safety Register will be the searchable database of ELECSA and NICEIC registered contractors and ECA members. It is available now online for consumers and commercial clients and will be promoted to hundreds of thousands of specifi ers by the trade association and the ESC. Certsure will also make major commitments to
ELECSA, ECA Certifi cation and NICEIC customers. These include: Customers are able to display the Electrical Safety Register banner;
ELECSA, ECA Certifi cation and NICEIC customers will be included on the Electrical Safety Register; and
Certsure will provide excellent customer service
and actively promote its contractors in the marketplace. ‘With this partnership, the benefi ts to the
consumer and electrician are signifi cant,’ commented Charles Tanswell, chair of the ESC. ‘In particular, for the consumer it means more can be done to raise awareness of the benefi ts of using registered electricians, and we’re delighted that this partnership ensures solid industry support for the charity and its work.’ ‘This partnership marks a new beginning for
the electrical contracting industry,’ said Paul McNaughton, president of the ECA. ‘There is strength in unity, and this alliance unites the key electrical industry players: the sector trade association, the electrical consumer charity and the leading certifi cation body, while providing clarity to the consumer and a consolidated voice to government on common issues.’ ‘We will act as the sole registration,
certifi cation and assessment body for not only NICEIC’s current customer base, but for those under the ELECSA and ECA brands too,’ explained Emma Clancy, CEO of Certsure. ‘Over time, signifi cant cost and commercial benefi ts will be available to those electrical contractors registered with ELECSA and NICEIC, thanks to this partnership, and we will be communicating with all our customers about the joint venture.’ To view the Electrical Safety Register, log on to
www.electricalsafetyregister.com See our article on page 26-29 of this issue for an in-depth look at the partnership agreement.
Holt Report must be acted upon
The ECA has cautiously welcomed the
government’s response to the publication of the Holt Report into apprenticeships and SMEs. However, it says more must be done to promote transparency in the further education sector if apprenticeship training quality is to improve. Iain Macdonald, ECA head
of Education and Training, said: ‘The ECA was a key contributor to the report. We’re delighted that the government agrees with the recommendations that the National Apprenticeship
6 ECA Today November 2012
Service works more closely with trade associations to promote apprenticeships to smaller fi rms, and that industry should play a more infl uential role in defi ning quality apprenticeship training. SMEs are the lifeblood of UK plc. They must be supported to take on apprentices with the skills to help them grow, which would also help reverse youth unemployment.’ However, Macdonald
has his concerns. He added: ‘We are worried that the government has not been more robust in supporting calls
for more transparency from further education providers. Government should insist that colleges provide information about course outcomes – just like we have school league tables and the university employability index. Without this accountability, young people won’t have all the details they need to make the right choice for their future, SMEs won’t be able to tell who off ers industry-recognised training, and industry eff orts to better defi ne quality apprenticeship providers won’t be supported on the ground.’
Industry should play a more infl uenetial role in defi ning apprenticeships
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