Central Board look back and forward as they outline hopes for years ahead
- Iain Mason
- 7 hours ago
- 8 min read
As part of our 125th anniversary celebrations, the first Central Board meeting of 2025 saw office bearers gather at The Walled Garden to view association images from down the years, discuss the current state of the industry – and give their predictions for the future
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES CURRENTLY IMPACTING YOUR BUSINESS?
SEAN HARKIN (Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch Chair): Resources are having the biggest impact by far, coupled with inflation and cashflow, which only worsens as clients feel the same pressures as us.
GRANT STEWART (Tayside Branch Vice Chair): The biggest thing is the increasing cost of more or less everything, from waste disposal to taxes, insurance and materials. Day-to-day costs only seem to be going up, which makes things tough when you’re a small business.
MIKE CAMPBELL (Inverness & North of Scotland Branch Chair): I’d agree with that. The rising cost of living is making it harder to attract and retain talent too. As an industry, we must find ways to support staff while maintaining a high standard of training.
ALAN WATT (Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch Vice Chair): The skills shortage is certainly making it difficult to find good electricians, particularly as it now seems easy for folk who’ve only just qualified to start their own business. High overheads don’t help either.
JIM COOPER (Ayrshire Branch Vice Chair): There’s definitely a need for more apprentices to be introduced due to our ageing workforce. More needs to be done to attract young people to our industry and secure properly trained operatives for the future.
GRAEME ANDERSON (Edinburgh & South East of Scotland Branch Chair): For me, the biggest challenge is the ubiquitous incompetence that seems to be infiltrating the workplace due to a lack of education, plus the ability to obtain a job by having a qualification but no practical experience. Equality seems to be favoured above competence these days.
SO WHAT ARE THE CURRENT PRIORITIES FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS?
JC: We’re now working in a very technical and heavily regulated environment, so it’s vital that we upskill our electrical operatives appropriately to ensure they have the necessary training to carry out their work safely.
SH: Keeping standards high is definitely important. I also believe that we should work hard to secure our place in the net zero landscape – electricians are playing a vital role in decarbonisation, from renewable technology to ventilation and even smart controls.
GS: Absolutely. Embracing new renewable energy solutions, keeping up with improving technologies and improving installation safety are all key as we continue to grow.
AW: It’s also important to keep listening and evolving with our apprentices, and ensuring that we receive good support from all accreditation bodies.
GA: All these things are undoubtedly important, but for me we also need to look after our staff and ensure that financial stability, a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing are also prioritised.
WHAT ISSUES DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO WATCH FOR GOING FORWARD?
SH: Ever-increasing costs from business expenditure and operating costs, e.g. rising insurance premiums and supplier and wholesale inflation, etc. These increases may not be considered or realised in existing contractual arrangements and may need some negotiation.
ALISTAIR GRANT (Inverness & North of Scotland Branch Vice Chair and Immediate Past President): The increase in National Insurance and wages will also be a challenge for companies large and small, but hopefully common sense will prevail.
MC: For me, skills shortages, changing regulations and the rapid pace of technological advancements remain the key challenges. Only by addressing them proactively can we can build a resilient, forward-thinking industry.
JC: As I mentioned earlier, I think it’s vital to ensure that we have a sufficient number of suitably trained, skilled operatives to take us into the future and the ever-changing world in which we now live.
AW: I would agree with that, particularly as the scourge of inexperienced and unqualified electricians only seem to be getting worse – particularly with the rise of short courses in renewable installations.
GS: The growing ease of access to electrical equipment with no proof of qualification IS concerning. As day-to-day costs increase, I think DIY electrical work will become more frequent as people try to cut corners, leading to safety concerns and significant risks for the industry and consumers.
GORDON PATERSON (Dumfries & Galloway Branch Chair): Thirty years ago I thought electricity was the fuel of the future, but the current price per kW is an issue and a barrier to the take-up of new electrical technology. However, hydrogen is coming through and hopefully electricians can be included in what’s required for that,
much like with heat pumps. Hopefully, the issue of rising prices and the high cost of living won’t last forever as
we don’t want customers to stop spending!
JC: We also have the introduction of AI technology. I have no doubt it will play a major part in our industry in the future, although at the moment I’m a bit unsure of exactly where it will take us.
KEITH SMITH (Tayside Branch Chair): Personally, I’m not overly concerned by the growth of AI – I think the future is safe for our industry in that respect and don’t think it will ever replace a person.
AG: I’m the same. Whatever happens with new technology, the day-to-day working electrician shouldn’t be forgotten about. The old adage has never been more true: “You’ll always need a sparky!”
STEWART ANDERSON (Aberdeen & North East of Scotland Branch Chair): For me, in this ever-demanding
economic climate, and with costs increasing in every area, it’s essential for everyone to ensure that they can remain sustainable and yet still make sure they build for the future.
GP: Whatever happens, there are definitely some interesting times ahead!
SO HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF THE ELECTROTECHNICAL INDUSTRY PROGRESSING?
JC: I’m optimistic and think there are exciting times ahead, with plenty of opportunities for existing and new technologies for those who want to take them.
GA: There is no doubt there will be a continued transition towards energy efficiency and renewable energies, with electrical technology assisting with decarbonisation.
GS: The industry is constantly evolving with new regulations and emerging technologies, so it will be more important than ever to keep flexible and stay ahead of any changes to ensure you’re compliant, competitive and safe.
SH: Technology is undoubtedly the future and we need to embrace every facet of an exciting new era. Battery storage, renewables and smart technology are going to become the norm, so as an industry we should be aspiring to develop our workforce accordingly.
AW: New technologies DO make it an exciting future ahead for the industry, however employing electricians is still very difficult and needs to be addressed.
AG: I see a thriving future too but I also fear that there may be a shortage of good, experienced labour. Recent
figures show colleges enjoying a higher intake of apprentices but the government must continue to fund the apprenticeship scheme accordingly.
MC: Increased automation and digital integration and a stronger focus on sustainable energy means it’s never been more important to invest in apprenticeships. Supporting the next generation of electricians through structured training and mentorship is key to ensuring a skilled and adaptable workforce.
JOHN CHAMBERS (Lanarkshire Branch Chair): For me, it’s also vitally important that we get protection of title for the profession of electrician. As the history of the association shows, the industry has been crying out for regulation for more than century, yet still nothing is being done. Why? What will it take for the government to wake up?
CRAIG McGOWAN (Lanarkshire Branch Vice Chair): I agree – regulation is long overdue and something that every contractor I speak to says we need. Surely if you need to be regulated to shoe a horse or sweep a street, there should be regulation for the people carrying out incredibly complex and potentially dangerous electrical work? It doesn’t seem right.
ERIC RAE (Aberdeen & North East of Scotland Branch Vice Chair): Getting protection of title will ensure that people who do electrical work have the proper training and qualifications, which will help protect the public from unqualified tradesmen and ensure the quality of work is kept to the highest standards, ensuring safe environments to live and work in.
KS: I’m with John, Craig and Eric – I just hope that the Scottish Government sees sense, takes forward SELECT’s campaign for regulation and grants us protection of title. We don’t want to still be having this same conversation in another 125 years!
AND FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR OWN HOPES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD?
JC: I hope that we all have a prosperous future in our industry, working together and sharing information to the benefit of us all.
GA: Less bureaucracy from top-heavy companies and public bodies would be my hope, along with the simplification of processes, reduction of red tape, omission of unnecessary programmes and a drive for efficiency by reducing staff numbers, departments and procedures that focus on ancillary procedures unrelated to productive activity. I’d also like there to be a new focus on health and safety concerns that exist in the real world, not just on a desktop, plus a focus on upskilling the workforce in matters of technical excellence and productivity.
SH: I’d like to see an end to college strikes, hopefully followed by an upturn in the amount of fresh blood coming in to the industry, through both apprentices and adult trainees.
AG: Training has certainly never been more important than it is today. After 50 years in the industry, I now see more reliance on and a greater need for trained electricians as the industry expands into renewables. Scotland has always had a wealth of talent and the new age of technology will bring with it more opportunities, if we can harness it correctly.
ER: Stability will assist with apprentice recruitment and help build the workforce that the future requires, with more reliance on electricity from heating systems to electric vehicles. The future is certainly electric and we as an industry need more people in it, as well as a more diverse workforce.
GP: I think electricians have adapted well as the industry has changed and have taken on board more knowledge and training. As others have said, training apprentices to meet the demands of new technology is key and we must ensure that they’re equipped with sufficient skills in all areas of electrical installation.
SA: As we celebrate 125 years of our association, it’s important to keep the status and standards of the electrotechnical industry in Scotland as high as possible to encourage the next generation of electricians to join our Member businesses. Through their learning, these new recruits will help to cement the future expertise we all need and continue the hard work that has been started by their predecessors.
AW: Electricians need to engage more with this training too, offering our advice and feedback to ensure the workforce can keep pace with emerging new technologies.
GS: From a personal point of view, and as a small company, the goal is to grow steadily, embrace new technologies and explore innovative ways to better serve our customers. We’re also aiming to expand our services into renewables and build up a competitive and trustworthy reputation. As we grow, one of my priorities is trying to build a talented and dedicated team that shares the same vision and values, ensuring longevity.
CM: I’d like to see the Scottish Government and relevant bodies working to ensure that we always have a good level of apprentices coming through as they are the future of our industry.
KS: I’d echo that, Craig. Looking forward, I hope that we can continue to maintain a good intake of apprentices and ensure a good pipeline of talent to replace those who retire.
Comentários