THE Scottish public will have the chance to add their voice to the debate on electrical sector regulation after a petition was launched asking Holyrood to protect the title of electrician.
The appeal to the Scottish Parliament is the latest move in the long-running campaign for legislative action, and the recognition of the electrical sector as a profession, which has been organised by SELECT, Scotland’s largest trade association.
The petition urges the Scottish Government to ensure those carrying out electrical work are properly qualified, competent and accountable. It will build on support from MSPs, organisations and individuals who have backed SELECT’s initiatives over the years and who share the organisation’s concern that, currently, anyone can describe themselves as an electrician without demonstrating they hold appropriate qualifications, skills or experience.
Almost 1,000 people signed the petition in its first week.
Sharon Miller, SELECT MD, said, “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have had from people in all walks of life who have been astonished that there is no way to protect the public from unsafe and shoddy electrical work. We now call on them to support this petition, which can be accessed here, and add their names to the groundswell of support calling for politicians to deliver statutory safeguards both for home owners and businesses – and the sector.
“The electrotechnical sector today is complex and safety critical. Untrained people put themselves and others at risk causing real issues, which can sometimes be fatal. Gas engineers have enjoyed this type of protection for decades, and with electrification of society as we drive towards net zero, safety has to be the primary concern.”
A report commissioned by SELECT estimated that the ‘human cost’ of faulty electrical work is around £120 million per year. It also pointed out that regulation would offer an opportunity to grow the industry by attracting more aspirational entrants, where reward and reputation is enhanced and the value of an electrical apprenticeship more widely accepted.
The petition was submitted on behalf of SELECT by skills and client relations manager Yvonne Wilson, and is now open for signature, after which it will be scheduled for consideration by the Public Petitions Committee. Yvonne said, “This is an opportunity for anyone who is interested in electrical safety to make their voices heard.”
