VIEW FROM THE LOBBY F
rom an industry perspective, 2012 was a busy year in government, with a comprehensive review of the Building Regulations, two wide-reaching reviews
of vocational skills policy, and the finer details of the flagship Green Deal initiative – which feature prominently on the ECA’s agenda. All of this was set against the unchanging backdrop of the bleak economic landscape, where payment continued to dominate, making 2012 a far from easy year.
Reviewing Part P The year got off to a running start, with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) looking at the success of Part P of the Building Regulations. In a joint submission with NICEIC, the ECA appeared in front of the select committee tasked with looking into the review. We called for amendments to reduce costs and burdens associated with Part P and outlined solutions to make the scheme more effective. The committee and government agreed with many of our recommendations, particularly making low-risk electrical works non- notifiable. Awareness and understanding of Part P
remains low among consumers. To help combat this and to simplify matters, we called for electrical safety to be given the same recognition as gas, with the introduction of a mandatory register similar to the Gas Safe register. While the committee did not agree with this solution, they did agree to review the situation in 2014. In the meantime, to help drive awareness,
we launched the Electrical Safety Register in November – the first initiative resulting from the joint venture the ECA entered into with the Electrical Safety Council (ESC). The Register, which unites certification activities, comprises the ECA, NICEIC and ELECSA and covers 80 per cent of all electrotechnical Competent Persons Scheme registrants and 92 per cent of all building control notifications. Campaigns are also underway that highlight
the peace of mind clients enjoy when they work with an ECA member, from the ECA Guarantee to the Bond and Warranty, as well as the full backing of ECA services.
Green Deal Throughout 2012, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was busy finessing its flagship Green Deal scheme. Initially, the part which electricity plays in reducing energy consumption was overlooked, as DECC focused mainly on passive measures, such as insulation and glazing. However, as a direct result of ECA engagement, the importance of
22 ECA Today March 2013
active measures that electrical contractors install, such as energy efficient lighting, was recognised and subsequently included when the initiative launched on 28 January this year. Our knowledge and expertise has
increasingly led to ECA opinion and input being sought on the Green Deal from a variety of stakeholders, from government to media, substantially raising the profile of the ECA and the issues faced by our members. Not only was the ECA instrumental in developing installer standards, but the association was part of an advisory group tasked with ensuring a role for SME businesses in the scheme. Furthermore, at the launch of the initiative,
the ECA was called upon to explain the Green Deal and what it means for both consumers and contractors on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Sky News, and was quoted on BBC Online News.
by Carol Wrench, head of Communications
the review of procurement rules in the EU. Our recommendations were acknowledged
in both reviews, with recognition that more should be done to promote vocational training as a valid career choice – as well as a strengthening of the apprenticeship brand to help deliver the skills needed for a strong economy.
Skills policy The future of apprenticeships was also in the spotlight, with two separate reviews focused on ensuring that vocational skills are of high quality and fit for the future – one by Doug Richards for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and another by a Parliamentary Committee. The ECA repeated calls for employers
to have a greater say in the direction of apprenticeship funding – which the association believes should be targeted at courses that leave learners equipped to enter industry. The ECA also called for more checks on the quality of training provision, and for training to be tied to procurement contracts – a solution that the association is also progressing in Europe, through our work on
2013 and beyond 2013 is already shaping up to be a busy year. Skills and training remain high on the ECA’s agenda. The association is looking to the commercial Green Deal scheme, which we believe presents major opportunities for energy efficiency and for electrical contractors. As with the consumer Green Deal, this will only work if government properly promotes and incentivises the scheme. The ECA will be monitoring this closely to ensure that the potential of this market is fully maximised. The ECA continues to drive home the message that electrical contractors are fundamental to making a difference to energy efficiency in our homes and commercial premises: in January, we added our voice to a DECC consultation on energy demand reduction. This is another area we will be watching closely. The ECA also continues to push on its other business priorities – primarily, ensuring that the issue of prompt payment is tackled by the wider public sector. In one of his first moves since taking up the position of Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Michael Fallon wrote to all FTSE350 companies asking them to sign a voluntary code agreeing to pay suppliers on time. The minister has promised to name and shame companies that fail to do so. The ECA welcomes this initiative and hopes that it speeds up supply chain payment. On other business issues, the ECA carries on
the drive to alleviate the unnecessary burden of pre-qualification. We were instrumental in the development of PAS91, and are now working to ensure wide adoption. We look forward to the revision in March and believe that this will further enhance the standard. With the exception of payment, the biggest
Our knowledge and expertise has increasingly led to ECA opinion and input being sought on the Green Deal, from government to media
concern by far is securing new work. While the ECA believes that energy efficiency presents many new opportunities for electrical contractors with initiatives such as the Green Deal, infrastructure projects are an essential lifeline for the construction industry. Looking ahead to the Budget on 20 March, we very much hope that the Chancellor will reconsider his plans to indirectly fund the government’s ambitious infrastructure programme, to shore up business confidence, create growth and jobs and finally get the economy moving.
SHUTTERSTOCK/
R.NAGY
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