COMMENT T


The future is electric, so let’s make young people a part of it now


he last few weeks and months have seen all of Scotland’s main political parties trying to outdo each other over their green credentials. However, what is common is an


appreciation that our economy will be driven increasingly by electricity. To this end, it’s vital that the new Scottish Government supports the industry in upskilling the existing workforce, but also makes sure it works with and supports those who will be delivering the next generation of electricians. Over the last 30 years, the electrical


industry has trained nearly 20,000 apprentices and it’s comforting to know that most are still connected in one way or another to our industry. The training which apprentices receive is a great springboard to enhance their careers in all aspects of the industry, including installation, design and surveying etc. Apprentices are the lifeblood of our industry and it’s great to see so many employers who continually make the commitment to train apprentices year after year. The last 12 months have been especially diffi cult with many employers facing challenges over the cessation of work due to the pandemic or more recently, a limit on what work could be


undertaken. Despite these challenges, the industry still recruited more than 500 new entrants in 2020-2021.


Like many industries, we face increasing


competition from other parts of the economy in recruiting young people. At the same time, Scotland has an ever-decreasing pool of young people. A quick check of Scotland’s birth and death rates shows that for the fi rst time, there are now more people dying in Scotland than being born. From a birth rate peak of 102,000 in 1964, the last few years have seen an average of 50,000 births, a 50% decrease in the talent pool! As we move towards an electric economy, it’s vital that we capture as many young people as possible. Simple arithmetic would also suggest that at least 50% of the available recruitment pool are girls. It’s therefore more


important than ever for the industry to look seriously at recruiting across all genders to get the best possible people we can. As a grandfather to fi ve granddaughters, I will be mightily disappointed if at least one doesn’t pursue a career in this industry! We also can’t forget the more mature entrants, i.e. adult trainees, and should keep an open mind on who we recruit in future. We have an apprenticeship scheme we can rightly be proud of. Developed by the SJIB and delivered by SECTT, the


industry is at the core of all that we do to enhance the skills of those who enter the workplace. Our apprenticeship


programme, which


culminates in the FICA end point assessment, is quite rightly the envy of many in the industry.


Our campaign to regulate the industry via


protection of title is also linked to the apprenticeship programme. We will always argue that to be called an electrician, you should have completed an apprenticeship and hold appropriate qualifi cations. Despite this, we still see training courses off ering the chance to become an electrician in just weeks. How can governments allow such a life safety-critical industry to operate like this? We must continue to raise the bar for electricians, not seek to drop it. It can’t be right that ‘fast-tracked’ individuals enjoy the same status as someone who has trained for at least four years. Everyone connected to funding and


delivering apprenticeships must continue to value what they bring to the Scottish economy and also recognise that those who know best about what should be contained in the training programme is the industry itself. There is no doubt that apprenticeships are a great way for young people to earn while they learn, and the electrical experience proves this time after time. So, if you are an employer reading this, please continue to support one of the best apprenticeship schemes around. If by a chance a politician reads this, please support proper apprenticeships, but at the same time recognise that we need to protect the public and the sector from those who try to short circuit years of training but still call themselves an electrician and support our campaign for regulation.


The future is bright – and that future is electric.


Alan Wilson Managing Director, SELECT


CABLEtalk JUNE/JULY 2021 5


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