AHEAD of the Scottish Parliament election, the country’s largest construction trade body has welcomed the candidates’ focus on apprenticeships – but says it is ‘deeply disappointed’ that regulation of the electrical sector is not on any agenda.
Skills and training is included in most of the manifestos issued by the main parties competing for seats at Holyrood on May 7, but SELECT says it is ‘frustrating’ that none contain a pledge to act on calls to introduce protection of title for electricians.
SELECT has been campaigning for regulation for more than a decade, and gathered more cross-party support during a visit to the Scottish Parliament earlier this year. Despite growing high-profile political backing, no party has officially committed to the cause.
Sharon Miller, MD designate at SELECT, said, “We are pleased to see that all main parties recognise the importance of apprenticeships and have pledged to introduce a range of measures to help safeguard the future of skills and training in Scotland. However, despite repeated individual backing and more than half of MSPs from the previous Parliament signing up to our Wall of Support, it is deeply disappointing that none of the main parties have included regulation of the electrical industry in their 2026 manifestos.
“The ongoing electrification of society means that Scotland is in the throes of one of the biggest transformations ever as we head to a net zero future that will depend on electricity and the skills and expertise of the electricians who deliver it. As we outlined in our own manifesto, it is of the utmost importance that we are in a position to make sure that those who work in the industry do so in a safe and competent manner, and regulation of the sector is recognised as the most effective way of doing this.”
