UNQUALIFIED electricians in Scotland continued to pose a significant threat to public safety, the head of SELECT has warned.
Alan Wilson, MD of the electrical trade body, voiced his concerns in a new podcast during which he also reinforced the need for regulation of the electrical sector.
Speaking to architect Kenneth Martin on Hard Hat Talks, Mr Wilson said as many as 13% of fires in the home could be traced back to poor electrical work, though accurate statistics were hard to come by. He highlighted that although professions like doctors, nurses and even farriers and door staff were tightly regulated, there is no such requirement for electricians – meaning anyone can set themselves up as an apparent expert.
Mr Wilson said, “These kind of people tend to be the kind who will turn up at your house in a van that says ‘Plumber, Electrician, Decorator, Joiner, Roofer’ on the side – and then one person gets out. That’s who they tend to be. What they tend to do is small scale electrical work, where they’ll maybe connect bits of wiring. If they’re doing kitchen work, they’ll maybe connect up lights or cookers.
“But, as we all know, things move on and electrical installation is becoming ever more complex. The Wiring Regulations, which lay down the requirements for electricians, are currently being updated, with the latest version due to be issued next year. So, every year that goes by, working practices change. Therefore, if the person maybe did have some kind of knowledge back in, say, the year 2000, then 25 years later, the landscape is completely different.”
Kenneth Martin, MD of Block Architects, said, “Frankly, it’s surprising that in 2025, when we’re designing £50,000 kitchens and whole-house renewable systems, anyone can call themselves an electrician. As architects, we carry a huge burden of liability, but when the very safety of a family in their new home depends on unqualified work, that is a failure of the system. Alan’s fight for regulation is not just about protecting a trade; it’s about protecting the public.”
Mr Wilson said SELECT was continuing its push for regulation and that, while it had been successful in garnering cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament, it was now trying to embed the promise of regulation into party manifestos ahead of next year’s elections.
He revealed that the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), the managing agent for electrical installation apprenticeships in Scotland, saw 19,000 people undertake its aptitude test between January and July this year. However, the number of apprentices taken on by firms in Scotland only averages between 850 and 900 annually, partly because Mr Wilson said smaller businesses are not being given enough government support.
Mr Wilson also used the podcast to stress that the construction industry is an enabling sector, which relies on clear, consistent policy direction from the government regarding initiatives like renewables. He said policy changes, or withdrawal of funding, make it impossible for micro-businesses to commit to training.
Both Mr Wilson and Kenneth agreed the sluggishness of the planning system is also a problem that sends ripples across the entire industry.
The SELECT MD also said the most important change needed in the industry is prompt payment and getting money flowing to small businesses.
