Insidethis issue 3 SEPTEMBER 2026 VOLUME 64 ISSUE 7 Editor’s
Viewpoint by Chris Jones
Trying on a diff erent hat
The new Prime Minister’s pledge to value hard hats as highly as graduate caps is something of a dramatic reversal of Tony Blair’s policy of encouraging large numbers of school leavers to focus on getting a university degree. While it is hard to argue against the goal of having a well-educated population, there was always a fl aw in thinking that a big increase in the number of graduates would benefi t both the country and those students who are prepared to devote three years of life to attaining a degree. Ultimately, the large number of people holding a degree or higher-level qualifi cation (which according to the Offi ce for National Statistics currently stands at 16.4m in England and Wales) devalues the achievement in the eyes of potential employers and means that job-interview candidates have an even harder task of standing out from other applicants. Meanwhile, despite the likelihood of racking up signifi cant
levels of debt at university, generations of young people have been persuaded to ignore the option of abandoning academia for a more vocational alternative. It’s an oversight that has resulted in many 16- to 24-year-olds lacking in skills and contacts and generally being ill-equipped for the world of work. The establishment of better ties between schools and local companies could at least go some way to closing the gap between the world of education and employment, but such things are rarely achieved overnight. As ever with such reforms, the details need to be worked
on and plans are unlikely to take shape until September 2028. However, the realisation that many desk-bound and administrative jobs will disappear in the not-too-distant AI-dominated future is already causing many graduates to question the value of their qualifi cation. Let’s just hope that there’s going to be enough work out there to keep all those future plumbers and builders gainfully employed.
Special Features 19
Renewable Energy
How installers can keep up to speed with the transition to renewable technologies
Regulars
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25 Products in Action 35 Product News 37 Product Spotlight 38 Vans & Racking
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Charlie Knott Business Matters
16
A guide to diff erent insurance cover options and getting the right policy for your business
Duncan Carter Renewable Energy
19
Helping rural households choose the best low-carbon heating solution for their home
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Managing Editor Chris Jones Assistant Editor Carol Hitchcock Consultant Publisher Chris Evans Southern Advertisement Manager Nathan Wood Production Paul Forster Design Consultant Tim Plummer
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Radiators & Towel Warmers
26
The importance of independent testing and having confi dence in the information provided
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