An article in our electrical trade magazine highlighted a new report that's estimates that up to 15,000 extra skilled electricians will be required in the UK over the next 5 years.

New technologies around smart homes, electric vehicles and Wi-Fi were amongst the main new services stated for increasing demand for skilled installers but it was the section on apprenticeships that caught my eye. 

It was pleasing to read that an electrical apprenticeship is still a highly rated initial career move and that it was still evident for employers to receive a return on investment to employ apprentices.

What was worrying but not surprising though was one of the reasons given for new apprenticeship numbers being insufficient to meet the increased demand in recruitment - candidate attitude and behaviours. 

I have had to deal with a fair share of attitudes and behaviours from youngsters over the years and while some of them just could not be helped, it does make me wonder whether some of them would've had a better attitude to our type of work if trade apprenticeships had been sold by the education establishments as a positive long term rewarding career move for school leavers.

This in my mind has been confirmed by one of the solutions highlighted in the report which is the "development of new careers resources, promotion of industry-recognised qualifications and activity to forge closer ties between industry, schools and further education".

More needs to be done to change the attitude of the school system to promote apprenticeships equally as they do to promote University which is why I recently engaged with one of our local high schools to offer work experience at Stirling Electrical Services to a fourth year school student which turned out to be a success and well received by the student, school and us.

I have offered future dates over the coming year to host more work experience school students and I will further engage with local schools to highlight the rewarding career their students can have in the electrical industry.

Work experience while still at school is a good move to see if a career in the electrical industry may suit the youngster, with the main  education being a 5 year apprenticeship under the guidance of SECTT the electrical training body in Scotland. 

SECTT plays a pivotal role between the apprentices and employers and their role is vital in making sure apprentices have a successful 4-5 years and go on to become skilled electricians. 

Enrolling to undertake the industry pre-apprenticeship exam via the SECTT website is also one of the first actions a prospective apprentice needs to do.

With the correct attitude, work ethic and willingness to learn apprentices can have a rewarding and long term career in the electrical industry and our own apprentice intake for Autumn 2019 will begin soon, so if you are interested in taking a step to becoming an electrical apprenticeship email us with your CV and details to this address - but only DO SO if you have already sat and passed the above pre-apprenticeship exam. 

Being involved in the construction / services industry I like from time to time to highlight some useful websites, tools and advice that can help with your latest home improvement project.

 Sainsbury's bank have published a home renovation calculator that tries to give an indication of what different types of home improvement projects may have on the value of your property. 

* The below link is direct from Sainbury's Bank and I have no affiliation or opinion on the details contained at the below link.

Check out the handy Sainbury's Bank Home Renovation Calculator.

Some of our Stirling Electrical team are just back from working in Rothesay installing new external LED lighting.

Out trip to the Isle of Bute was to replace near 20 year old metal halide fittings which had lasted well in the west coast sea air, but the time had come to replace them.

So it  was 'in with the new' LED lights which will be now be lighting up our customers building.

Stirling Electrical Services  recently replaced old fluorescent lighting for new LED ceiling panels giving a crisper white light to the treatment rooms and communal areas at Body and Sole Healthcare in Stirling. 

The new LED lights offer more efficient running costs and also make for a cleaner finished look.

I recently attended the  ELEX exhibition in Manchester where all things electrical trade were on show and discussed.

It's important to keep up to date with the latest electrical news, regulations and equipment which is why I travel south every few years. 

Stirling Electrical Services are a proud member of SELECT and it is through them that myself and our other electricians update our electrical training and qualifications with their excellent training courses, but I always feel with electrical wiring regulations that it's good to have a different perspective and opinion which is why attending the seminars at this event by IET and NAPIT makes it worthwhile visiting. 

Plus there's also a free Bacon Roll and plenty of pens to be had.

Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. were delighted to be involved in the refurbishment of Gallery Two at The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, one of Stirling's finest attractions and we wish them success with the new gallery.

It's well worth a visit - some fabulous art on show.

I would like to thank the members of our own team and other contractors who were part of the project.

Below you will find the official opening announcement and official photos from The Stirling Smith facebook page as well as some of our own work photos during the project. The previous lighting track, power outlets and cabling were removed with the installation of new cables and power outlets including new lighting track with LED lights which highlights superbly the art on display.
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In recent weeks we have been working at some of Stirling’s most famous historic locations and on Monday we started a refurbishment project at The National Wallace Monument.
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2019 marks the 150th anniversary of the famous building commemorating William Wallace and The Battle of Stirling Bridge.