Every electrician is familiar with the frustration of competing with Bob from down the pub or Jim the handyman who covers everything from carpentry to electrics. The types who can always do the job for half the price and don't see any point in a Part P certificate.
After years of electricians feeling like banging their head against a brick wall when seeing countless people purchasing major electrical installation equipment such as consumer units and cable from High Street stores, it looks as though there is finally some good news on the horizon for tackling this on going concern.
MP's are addressing the need for the greater use of Part P Registered electricians in a select committee report. The report has issued key findings which identify some well needed improvements to Part P and the public awareness of it.
Greater control over electrical equipment sold from DIY stores is top of the agenda with instructions advising the buyer to use a registered electrician to install the equipment. This is great news for electricians who have long been angered by the continuing unsafe practices of DIY stores.
The committee will be writing to key DIY stores advising them to produce this important advice on their electrical products. This essential advice will address the need to increase public awareness of electrical safety in the home as well as highlight the important work a Part P registered electrician does to ensure the safety of householders in the UK.
There is also talk of the possibility of introducing mandatory registration (or licensing) to prevent unlicensed individuals from purchasing such electrical equipment. The committee will be looking into this possibility during a review in 2 years time.
The news has been welcomed by NAPIT who say they've submitted evidence to suggest that 90% of its members support the introduction of mandatory registration.
At Trade Skills 4u we also welcome this move. No member of the public should be subjected to dangerous works from unregistered electricians. We always advise home owners to check their electrician is registered with a Part P scheme such as NAPIT or NICEIC and to ensure their electrician has completed appropriate electrical training
As a trainer in electrical courses, we cannot recommend enough the importance of only using a qualified Part P electrician to undertake work in your home. All persons working on your electrical installation should have completed an electrical course and be Part P registered before commencing work. Please check qualifications and check their registration by calling the Part P scheme directly to confirm their membership.