COMMENT END OF YEAR REVIEW I


think it’s fair to say that most people will be glad to see the back of 2020. But what does 2021 have in store for the electrotechnical industry?


As I write this piece, it has


just been announced that trials of a number of COVID-19 vaccinations are under way and perhaps we can look forward to seeing, if not the end of COVID, at least the beginning of the end, which is great news for us all. The industry does have a


history of rising to challenges and meeting them head on. However, we are facing perhaps the most challenging of times, not just because of a pandemic but also the unknown outcomes of Brexit. So, why the cause for


optimism? Well, it’s been great to see the number of new apprentices recruited this year reach more than 500. While down on the initial recruitment target, the fact that so many young people are joining our industry and so many employers are willing to off er apprenticeships in such challenging times is fantastic news. It’s obvious that the


Thank you to everyone for playing their part


At the start of this year, none of us could have foreseen what the next 12 months would bring and how we would all be aff ected by COVID-19.


4 CABLEtalk DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021


Scottish Government recognises the importance of construction in leading the way to a recovery and the importance that the electrotechnical industry will have in such a recovery. As we increasingly move towards an electric-driven economy, it is vital that Members look to secure the undoubted opportunities which will come their way.


There are signs that there


is a move towards a fairer and more transparent procurement and payment process. Member businesses have continued to face challenges over getting paid on time and in full, even during the pandemic. A number of clients have even introduced so-called “COVID clauses” into their contracts, making it even more diffi cult to tender while knowing the real risks you may face. Any change in making the process fair is to be very much welcomed.


The pandemic has also led to a more cooperative approach in the industry. The formation of the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum, which is a collective of trade and professional bodies which operate in Scotland,


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