MSP urges Members to take part in regulation consultation
MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has urged SELECT Members to take part in the consultation on regulation of electricians before it closes, insisting their “expert knowledge” is essential to help shape the future of the industry.
The Highland and Islands MSP is calling for firms of all sizes to have their say and contribute to the online consultation before it shuts on Tuesday 10 November.
In an exclusive video interview on SELECT’s YouTube channel, Mr Halcro Johnston said the views of SELECT Members are vital and that the consultation is a unique opportunity for contractors to “have their voice heard”.
The Conservative politician said: “I am urging all electricians and everyone associated with the industry in Scotland to have their say in the consultation process, not just to stress the benefits of regulation but also to take the opportunity to highlight the impact of faulty electrical work carried out by unqualified people.
“In particular, we want SELECT Members to be involved in this consultation and submit their own thoughts and expert knowledge. To paraphrase someone far more famous than me, this consultation is ‘one small step’ but an important one, so I would urge all Members to come forward, get involved and have their voice heard.”
Mr Halcro Johnston is hoping the consultation will lead to a Holyrood Member’s Bill that will secure both a register of individual electricians in Scotland and protection of title for the profession.
He added: “Electrical problems cause real safety issues, but there’s also an issue of confidence at stake. Customers wanting to employ an electrician currently have no idea if that person has any relevant qualifications, so we need a clear, single register to enable consumers to know they are using someone who is properly trained. This will also protect electricians and safeguard the enormous effort they put into their skill and training too.
“We want a simple straightforward approach to this issue, with a clear, accessible register of accredited professional electricians to assure the public that the work of appropriately qualified and registered electricians can be trusted by the public.
“And we certainly do not want to add extra bureaucracy to the existing workload of busy, highly-skilled firms and individuals.”
SELECT has spent the past few years campaigning with other leading trade bodies for the introduction of regulation, with its many supporters listed on the online Wall of Support.
And Mr Halcro Johnston said it was encouraging to see backing from across the Scottish Parliament chamber, with members of all parties making clear their support for regulation.
He said: “I think there is a general appreciation that this needs to be done and that it is a good thing. I’m confident that it will get achieved in the next session of Parliament, which will be a fantastic achievement for both the sector and consumers.”
SELECT has already submitted its own response to the consultation, saying that regulation would help reduce death and injury, bring significant economic benefits and encourage more women and minorities to take up the tools.
And Managing Director Alan Wilson welcomed the MSP’s reminder, saying: “We are grateful to Mr Halcro Johnston for providing all SELECT Members and others with an insight into the clear progress which is being made in getting his bill onto the statute book.
“And of course, we heartily endorse his call for everyone who has the best interests of Scotland’s electrotechnical industry at heart to share their views and contribute to the consultation before the opportunity closes on 10 November.
“At present, anyone can claim to be an electrician and work on an electrical installation. It cannot be right that those who have completed a full apprenticeship and who work in the industry in a safe and competent manner, can be compromised by those who call themselves electricians but who have no or inadequate qualifications.”
- The interview is available to watch in full here. The regulation consultation can be found here.