It's September and it's a full month of charity fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK.

Starting on the 1st of the month with my commitment of 11,000 steps each day for March the Month and ending by running the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon in Glasgow.
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So in one week I will take part in the Stirling marathon, or as its been branded this year the Great Stirling Run. The event is now in its 3rd year and it's a scenic marathon starting and finishing in the City of Stirling while taking in the surrounding rolling countryside to the north of the city,  passing through small towns such as Doune, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan where the locals come out in force to support the runners.

Now let me be honest from the beginning, I am no running expert, while I was actively fit playing football at a reasonably competitive youth level up until my late teens, for the next 16-17 years I let myself go, fed up with sport, giving no thought to exercising or what I was eating, I was just being consumed with work and business and as my business developed and grew and I became more office based instead of doing physical work my weight ballooned.

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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"Our mental health affects the way we think, feel and behave. A mental health problem can feel just as bad, or worse, than any other illness" - SAMH website - www.samh.org.uk

I believe one of the biggest health challenges we currently face in the modern world is also still one of the least talked about and perhaps still thought of as a taboo subject. 

Great work has been undertaken in recent years in raising awareness  of mental health and the importance of sufferers talking and seeking help but there's still a long way to go before mental health is taken as seriously as a physical health problem.

I, like many others, face challenges each day, week, month and year with coping with my thoughts in everyday family and business life.

On the days that don't go well for me, it affects my mood, my thoughts and my actions. There have been a few serious low points for me over the years but thankfully I have found and invested in methods and tactics that help me cope.

From meditating, journalling, joining groups, to paper exercises such as asking myself a series of questions about my thoughts I have been able to help ease any major issues I could have had.

One of those methods of coping is running - I have found changing my physical state either with running or a brisk walk to be one of my best tactics to help my mind and thoughts.

Unfortunately there are many people affected by mental health - many people in everyday walks of life who from an outside perspective seem happy, seem successful and seem contented with life.

But on the inside they are not coping with their thoughts. They are in a dark place inside and don't know what to do to help ease their troublesome thoughts.

In recent years there has been an increase in awareness regarding mental health but there is a long way to go before, not only at public level but also at government level, mental health issues are deemed as important as a physical health issue.

This year as part of my Stirling Marathon 26.2 mile challenge I would like to raise awareness and would welcome your support in donating to help the Scottish Association of Mental Health and the work they do to help and care for those affected by mental health.

Please consider donating at www.scottmclean.charity

Thank you for your Support
Scott McLean
www.scottmclean.scot

Later this week myself and fellow electrical colleagues will attend the Scottish Parliament.

On Thursday 25th October just after First Ministers Questions a debate brought forward by MSP Jamie Halcro Johnstone will take place to support the Regulation of Electricians as a Profession. 

I have mentioned on this blog previously about an ongoing campaign by electrical trade association SELECT to bring legal status to electricians as a 'Profession' - similarly like Gas engineers, essentially making it mandatory that those that carry out electrical work in Scotland be fully trained and have up to date qualifications to carry out such work. 

Currently anyone with no training or qualifications can carry out electrical work and legally at the moment there is nothing stopping them carry out such work, if this work is carried out by someone with no formal electrical training or past qualifications that have no or little relevance to the latest electrical regulations then the work could cause harm to property and put lives at risk. Presently the homeowner or business property owner has no mandatory regulated formal way of checking the qualifications of the person carrying out the work.

The parliament Motion calls for support in regulating the electrical industry where only those with up to date and ongoing electrical training and qualifications can carry out electrical work within Scotland and for a mandatory regulated register of qualified electricians/companies.  Failure to do so and still carry out electrical work would then be illegal - similar to Gas work.

The campaign by the hard working group at SELECT has gathered pace and now has the support of other electrical organisations and trade unions and will now have a voice at this parliament debate. 

I have today written to my local MSP highlighting this campaign and parliament debate and will update with more news later in the week after the debate on Thursday.

In the meantime if anyone has any questions or queries about why the Regulation of Electricians as a Profession is important please ask in the comment section below or in a reply to my social media posts.

My new podcast is now available where I will discuss business, fitness and family.

Hopefully I will provide some words of wisdom along the way.

The podcast is available to listen and subscribe to on a host of popular platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Full details are on my new podcast page.

It's now so much easier to find, remember and pass on details of our online websites.


Whether it is ELECTRICAL, ALARM or CCTV work that you or a friend require all you need to remember is .Scot


...and add 'Electrical' 'Alarms' or 'CCTV'


www.Electrical.Scot
www.Alarms.Scot
www.CCTV.Scot

http://www.select.org.uk/selects-campaign-recognition-professional-electricians-raised-holyrood/

Finalising your Summer Holiday plans while off work this Easter?
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Our Summer Security System sale is now live.

While you enjoy the sun and sea this summer make sure your property back home is safe and secure.

Contact us over the Easter break and we will be in touch to book in your free site survey.
Have an existing alarm system - then that's fine as we can service it.

10% OFF Alarm and CCTV systems - www.stirlingalarms.co.uk

It is Scottish Apprenticeship week and at Stirling Electrical Services we are pleased to offer our support and commitment to employing and training apprentices.

Every one of our existing skilled team members are either currently an electrical apprentice or our qualified  electricians including myself have all progressed to full electrician status via the recognised electrical apprenticeship scheme in Scotland organised by SECTT.

The value of apprenticeships should never be underestimated and in my opinion apprenticeships should be more widely encouraged within secondary education.   

Each one of our electrical apprentices have to train for at least 4 years combining college theory and practical learning work as well as  gaining on-site experience working alongside  our qualified electricians.

I fully support the drive this week to increase awareness highlighting the important role that apprentices can play within businesses and the long term benefits they can bring.

Right from the very beginning of Stirling Electrical Services in 1996 I have always been keen to employ apprentices within the business.

So during this important Scottish Apprenticeship Week I am pleased that we have made a double Apprentice commitment.

Firstly we have this week employed a 3rd year electrical apprentice who unfortunately was made redundant at his previous company in late 2017.

Qualifying as an electrician after 4 years of apprentice training can set people on the road to a rewarding career and with 3 years apprenticeship training under his belt it was important to take this apprentice under our wing and help him train and study over the coming months to allow him to prepare for his final electrical exam.

Secondly we are also committing to employing a new 1st year electrical apprentice during the Autumn college intake  with a commitment to employ them for the duration of their 4 year apprenticeship training. We will announce more details around May this year regarding how people can apply.

Apprenticeships are crucial for the electrical industry, fast track electrical training courses are a waste of space and I would argue even dangerous for the electrical industry.

For those that are considering an apprenticeship especially in the skilled trades then don't let anyone including school careers advice put you off from becoming an apprentice. If you turn up with an attitude to put in the hard work and commit to learning your trade then an apprenticeship can be a worthwhile long-term career move.