An NICEIC registered contractor came to the rescue recently to help out with a couple of projects for the hit TV show Love Your Garden. The producers of the show initially needed an electrical contractor to help with a

John O’Neill has been appointed Director of Technical Excellence at Certsure (NICEIC & ELECSA). A well known and much respected figure in the industry, John has almost 50 years experience in the sector. He started his career as an apprentice at Vauxhall Motorsin Luton before working as a maintenance supervisor for General Motors in Canada and the USA. He returned to the UK to set up his own electrical contracting business specialising in electrical work and integrated control systems.

Kevan Parker has been appointed as the Managing Director of Certsure. Kevan has been with Certsure since 2016 when he joined the operations team as Director of Certification and Operations. He has been undertaking the interim Managing Director position since December following the departure of Emma Clancy.

On March 30 at 8.30pm people across the globe will participate in Earth Hour. The symbolism of switching off your lights at night to save energy is visually powerful. But to make a real difference you should consider switching down the thermostat.

In households, heating and hot water alone account for 79 percent of total final energy use. Lighting and home appliances combined account for only 14 percent percent of household energy consumption.

NICEIC Jobs for the girls scheme helping more women into electrical industry. NICEIC is once again looking to help more women into the electrical industry through its Jobs for the Girls Bursary Scheme.  The bursary offers grants to women already working as an electrician or those looking to get a helping hand at the start of their career. It is open to females of all ages and can help cover training or other associated costs up to a maximum of £500. Last year NICEIC provided £5000 of funding to more than 20 women.

NICEIC & ELECSA Training is introducing a suite of management courses to help contractors build their business. The business skills seminars are separate to the practical, hands on courses traditionally offered by NICEIC & ELECSA. They are aimed at contractors who may run their own business or have recently taken up a quality supervisory or management role and are looking to expand their skills.

The first set of courses in the new range will cover project management, relationship management and pricing.

Certsure, ECA and Electrical Safety First (ESF) have worked together to develop plans to raise standards across the industry. The trio are the driving force behind proposals to change the ways competence within the industry is measured. While the electrotechnical industry prides itself on a robust approach to competence and safety, and indeed
has an excellent safety record, there is always more that can be done. Driving up standards of electrotechnical work is a fundamental objective if the sector is to thrive in the years ahead.