ECA News
Revisions to PAS 91 set a new standard for pre- qualifi cation and site safety, the ECA believes. The
new document, published on 8 April, aims to cut down bureaucracy associated with pre-qualifi cation, cutting costs for contractors without compromising on safety. Paul Reeve, ECA head of Business Policy and Practice,
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Improved PAS 91 to ‘fly the flag for safety’
helped draft the updated version of the questionnaire. He said: ’The new-look PAS 91 is an overall improvement to generate a greater level of engagement with local authority and other public sector buyers. Signifi cantly, there is a new and voluntary question set on building information modelling (BIM). This anticipates increased BIM activity in the next few years, and aims to show what “good” looks like before clients are drawn into producing an array of diff erent questionnaires.’ Reeve welcomes PAS 91 as a standard-bearer for health
and safety on site: ‘PAS 91 continues to include recognition of Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) and OHSAS 18001. There has also been a refi nement of questions, based on the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) CDM Approved Code of Practice (ACoP). As HSE prepares to take the CDM 2007 ACoP out of commission, PAS 91 is widely anticipated to become the fl agship standard for health and safety pre-qualifi cation questionnaires.’ Reeve warns, however, that PAS 91 can only have a
positive impact if it is adopted by buyers and suppliers in both the public and private sectors. ‘If clients and contractors both use the document, this will undoubtedly help reduce the administrative burden and confusion in the supply chain. Doing so will also cut costs – and that, surely will be of benefi t to the construction industry as a whole,’ said Reeve.
NET LinkedIn group set to encourage skills debate
National Electrotechnical Training (NET) is looking to
promote industry dialogue on standards in skills, with the launch of its new LinkedIn group. The group aims to be a forum
for discussion, where electrical industry infl uencers – including employers, training providers and awarding bodies – can discuss and help drive qualifi cations standards for the electrotechnical industry. Iain Macdonald, NET chief
executive, said: ‘We know that it is essential for us to engage in dialogue with stakeholders involved in the training and development of the industry workforce. This new LinkedIn group provides yet another channel for these vital conversations. In particular, we hope it will encourage
12 ECA Today June 2013
participation across a wider range of people and organisations that will raise awareness and understanding of what makes a safe and competent electrician, and how we can work together to raise standards.’ Macdonald concluded: ‘As
a sector that is hugely defi ned by technological advancement, the electrical sector faces some unique skills challenges. We all need to work together to ensure that training standards remain fi t for purpose, and continue to keep up with the pace of change. We therefore call on all stakeholders to stay in contact with NET – be that through our new LinkedIn group, or any of the other more traditional methods of communication. Dialogue strengthens our industry – let’s
TClarke apprentice
of year awarded ECA member TClarke held its apprentice of the year awards event in central London in April, with London-based apprentice George Antino winning through in one of the tightest competitions for years. He came out on top ahead of two other fi nal candidates, Indie Mattoo of TClarke Leeds and Scott Cochrane from TClarke Scotland. TClarke group labour manager, John Burrows described it as one of the closest possible competitions: ‘These are three highly capable and highly motivated young people and we are so proud of all three of them. And we’ve got capable apprentices learning their trades right across the UK. Our apprenticeships are high quality and they attract very high quality young people.’
Lightmongers get
ECA master Bill Wright, head of Energy Solutions at the ECA, has become Master of the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers.
Based in the City of
make sure we keep talking.’ To join the debate, search for the National Electrotechnical Training group on LinkedIn.
London, the Lightmongers is a livery company associated with the electrical contracting and lighting industries, with members from all parts of these sectors, including manufacturers, designers, installers and distributors.
Chartered Insurers
Status for ECIC The insurance industry’s professional body, the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has awarded Electrical Contractors’ Insurance Company (ECIC) the prestigious ‘Chartered Insurers Status’. Chartered status is the
gold standard for excellence and integrity for companies in the insurance industry. It is an exclusive title only awarded to companies that meet rigorous criteria.
SHUTTERSTOCK/ZUDY AND KYSA
SHUTTERSTOCK/ARTONO
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