IndustryNews


Schneider announces winners of inaugural Distributor Awards


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chneider Electric has announced the winners of its fi rst Distributor Awards in the UK, designed to highlight the outstanding work and contributions of Schneider Electric’s distribution partners and their people.


The winners represent those who are leading the industry and demonstrating business excellence. Best Branch Collaboration: Edmundson Electrical (Oxford) Also nominated Rexel (Inverness), Edmundson Electrical (Derby), Edmundson Electrical (Blackfriars)


Best Branch Point-of-Sale: CEF (Abingdon) Also nominated Rexel (Telford), CEF (West Drayton), Edmundson Electrical (Loanhead)


Best National Wholesaler Branch: Tobbell Electrical (Leeds)


Also nominated G.A. Nicholas (Salford), Edmundson Electrical (Twickenham), Rexel (Cardiff )


Best Independent Wholesaler: Control Gear Distributors (Ipswitch)


Also nominated Medlock Electrical (Trowbridge), LEW (Gainsborough), Northern Switchgear (Belfast)


Best eCommerce Engagement: Rexel UK Also nominated BPX, BXH, WED On-line, RS Group


eCommerce Excellence: RS Group Also nominated BPX, CEF, Rexel


Greatest Individual Contribution: Martin Simmonite, N.E Electrical (Sheffi eld) Also nominated James Walker - Edmundson Electrical (Swindon), Luke Stokes - Edmundson Electrical (Twickenham), Shaun O’Hair - Edmundson Electrical (Sunderland)


Prime Minister overhauls apprenticeships P


rime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson have announced a new growth and skills levy. This will replace the existing apprenticeship levy and include new foundation apprenticeships. These new apprenticeships will give young people a route into careers in critical sectors, enabling them to earn a wage whilst developing vital skills.


The new levy will also allow funding for shorter apprenticeships, giving learners and employers greater fl exibility over their training than under the existing system – where apprenticeships must run for at least 12 months.


Also in the news:


 Baxi’s 2024 Installer Skills Survey reveals that heating engineers play a key role in promoting the switch away from gas boilers, but are held back by a lack of practical training, complex government incentives and sluggish consumer demand.


 Scolmore Group has successfully completed Briggs & Forrester’s Bronze, Silver and Gold pathways, as well as the Modern Slavery pathway, continuing its journey to embed corporate sustainability into its culture, strategy and day-to-day operation.


 Collingwood Lighting has launched a projects team dedicated to helping contractors specify and design energy effi cient, compliant lighting schemes.


 Scolmore has settled a counterfeit product dispute with Dean Electrical Wholesale, Premspec Group and Dennis Boseley, who is Dean Electrical’s founder. Dean has admitted to selling counterfeit goods and paid compensation and costs.


 GTEC has appointed a business development manager, Stacey Youatt, who has joined the UK’s


leading renewables training provider following its part acquisition by the United Living Group (ULG).


 Legrand UK & Ireland has launched Powered by Specialists, a campaign illustrating how Legrand supports its clients, from specifi cation, planning and installation through to commissioning and maintenance.


 Schneider Electric has announced the winners of its inaugural 2024 Distributor Awards, designed to highlight the outstanding contributions of Schneider Electric’s distribution partners.


The training eligible for funding under the new levy will develop over time, informed by Skills England’s assessment of priority skills needs.


The plan follows the fi rst report from Skills England, the government’s new body for the skills system, which found that employer investment in training has been in steady decline over the past decade, with training expenditure at its lowest level since records began in 2011, with investment per employee down by 19% in real terms. It also shows that across the UK, almost 1 in 10 (over 2.5 million roles) are in critical demand, with more than 90% being in roles that require training or education.


NICEIC announces three new training locations


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ICEIC, the UK’s leading certifi cation and training body for the electrical industry, has announced three new training locations in Birmingham, Ipswich and Bromley. This expansion signifi es NICEIC’s dedication to providing businesses across the UK with convenient access to high- quality training programmes. NICEIC now off ers training in a total of 16 locations across the UK.


Neil Vincent, NICEIC head of business development, commented: “This expansion of our training network refl ects NICEIC’s dedication to equipping and upskilling tradespeople across the UK. By bringing high-quality training closer to them, we’re removing geographical barriers and ensuring individuals have the convenient access needed to stay up to date with the latest regulations and requirements. “This benefi ts both tradespeople, who can enhance their skillset and career prospects, as well as NICEIC-certifi ed businesses, who can maintain a highly competent and compliant workforce.”


ewnews.co.uk


November 2024 electrical wholesaler | 7


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