Latest News
SELECT Directory of Members 2010 now available online
August 16, 2010
For the first time the Directory of Members is available online - please click here if you would like to view
SELECT Brand Promotion 2010
August 11, 2010
Our 2010 SELECT Brand promotion campaign is just about to start.
Once again we are using broadcast technology because this has the biggest impact and because, using this medium, we can reach all of Scotland - including the islands.
The basis of the campaign will be television ads across all of the STV area. The areas not covered by STV (Borders and Dumfries and Galloway) will be covered by radio broadcasts on Radio Borders and West Sound. This is because of the extreme cost-ineffective nature of Tyne Tees television. The broadcasts on Radio Borders and West Sound will be much more 'dense' than the TV ads.
In central Scotland, the TV Ads will be overlaid by radio broadcasts on Real Radio.
North of the central belt, an additional 'layer' of TV Ads will be used to top up the broadcast density in the former Grampian TV area.
Please note that these broadcast ads can only be effective for your business if you actively associate yourself with the SELECT logo by carrying it on vehicles, stationery and other promotional literature.
If you need electronic versions of the logo, please contact Heather Martin on 0131 445 5577. If you need van stickers, these are available free of charge from Susan Humphries on the same number.
Television advertising will run from
- 16-22 Aug
- 30 Aug - 5 Sep
- 13 Sep to 19 Sep.
Real Radio Ads will run from
- 23-29 Aug
- 6-12 Sep
Radio Borders and West Sound will broadcast from
- 16-22 Aug
- 30 Aug - 5 Sep
- 13-19 Sep
We're on the road again...
August 11, 2010
Earlier this year, SELECT hosted a series of Open Day Road Shows throughout Scotland from Dumfries to Inverness, Orkney and Shetland. We are pleased to announce that we have now scheduled new dates in Oban and Stornoway. The road show will include a presentation by SELECT management on the services we provide and will be an invaluable opportunity for new members, new principal representatives and existing members to find out more about SELECT and the services available. More so it will give you the chance to meet some of the SELECT team.
Continuing SELECT’s efforts to keep you updated on current inspection and testing procedures we will also be presenting a technical guide to Periodic Inspection and Testing. This will be presented by Bob Cairney, our Technical Services Manager, and will be based on the Electrical Safety Council’s Best Practice Guide on the subject. Bob will also give attendees an overview of the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) currently under development and scheduled for inclusion in the first amendment to the 17th Edition of BS7671 due out next year. This offers a great opportunity for you to ensure your own procedures are right up to date and also to get ahead of the game prior to the issue of the EICR.
Each attendee will receive a free pad of ten Periodic Inspection Report Certificates for Small Electrical Installations. You will also receive a free copy of the Electrical Safety Council’s Best Practice Guides on:
- Connecting Microgeneration Systems to domestic or similar installations
- Periodic Inspection Reporting – recommendation codes for domestic and similar electrical installations
- Electrical Installations and their impact on the fire performance of buildings
The free road show dates and venues are as follows:
13 September – Royal Hotel, Oban – Registration and coffee from 2pm
14 September - Caladh Inn, Stornoway – Registration and coffee from 3pm
To ensure your place at one of these events please contact Elaine Ellis at The Walled Garden on 0131 445 5577 or e-mail elaine.ellis@select.org.uk.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Wiring Matters - Summer 2010
June 23, 2010
Guide to Electrical Installation Work in Scotland
Detailing significant changes to the regulation of electrical installation work in ScotlandBy Newell McGuiness, Managing Director of SELECT
First published in Wiring Matters - a publication for The Institute of Engineering and Technology
Please click here to view the full article.
June CABLEtalk now online
June 23, 2010
- MD Comment - Newell McGuiness on the thorny subject of Pre-Qualification
- Cover Story - The launch of the fifth annual SELECT Awards
- Holyrood - David Wright on what the new government means for us
- H&S - Jim Cornwall explains the updated guidance on managing asbestos
SELECT Awards 2010
June 10, 2010
As you are no doubt aware it's the time of year where we start expecting you, our Members, to enter for the SELECT Electrotechnical Awards.
For those that don't know the Awards are held in Glasgow's SAS Radisson, which has been packed to capacity in recent years. This glittering occasion – the showcase for Scotland’s electrical contracting industry – saw more entries last year, than ever before and the Nominee lists provided a tough task for the judges.
This year will be our fifth Awards ceremony and if you've not got involved before, make this the year you go for it!
For full details please click here
CABLEtalk May 2010 - available online now
June 10, 2010
- Cover Story - David Wright Reports on the grand opening and what it means for the industry as a whole
- MD Comment - Newell McGuiness on creating a building engineering services 'hub' at The Walled Garden
- Technical Help - Bob Cairney has all the answer's for private landlords requirements on electrical safety checks.
The full issue is availble online here
SELECT announce two new courses
April 14, 2010
SELECT are delighted to announce the launch of two new courses.
• Managing Health & Safety : An Introduction
• Risk Assessment Workshop
These courses have been created in partnership with RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and have been tailor made for the electrical contracting industry.
As well as gaining an understanding of the legislation/ guidance surrounding each topic, attendees will also get advice on practical ways to implement what is learned in their own workplace.
On each course attendees will create personalised action plans to assist their organisation to manage health and safety more effectively.
Attendees will also be sign-posted to additional sources of support and guidance that can be used on return to the workplace.
Delegates will be issued with a copy of the ‘Easy Guide to Health and Safety’; This reference text provides practical guidance and solutions to typical hazards and risks, as well as handy checklists and forms to meet your organisations health and safety needs.
The aim for both courses is that attendees will leave with a clear understanding of key health and safety requirements how to implement the lessons learned through attending the workshops on return to the workplace.
Robust health and safety management systems underpin efficient and effective organisations and can improve the ‘bottom line’ by reducing costs.
The consequences of poor health & safety management are high, as demonstrated by the following HSE Statistics (2009)
• 1.2 million people who worked during the last year were suffering from an illness (long standing as well as new cases) they believed was caused or made worse by their current or past work. 551 000 of these were new cases.
• 180 workers were killed at work, a rate of 0.6 per 100 000 workers.
• 131 895 other injuries to employees were reported under RIDDOR, a rate of 502.2 per 100 000 employees.
• 246 000 reportable injuries occurred, according to the Labour Force Survey, a rate of 870 per 100 000 workers.
• 29.3 million days were lost overall (1.24 days per worker), 24.6 million due to work-related ill health and 4.7 million due to workplace injury.
On a more positive note there are many benefits to health & Safety training.
Benefits can include:
Reduced employee absence and turnover, fewer accidents, a reduced threat of legal action, improve productivity, improved standing among suppliers and partners, a better reputation.
Managing Health & Safety: An Introduction
This one-day course has been designed for business owners and senior managers who have responsibility for implementing health & safety management systems in the workplace.
This course looks at what is required of the Director/ Senior Manager in relation to health & safety. Consideration is given to the essential principles of planning for health & safety, the importance of the topic as a corporate governance issue.
Time is also spent looking at how to ‘build’ Health & Safety into the organisation and effectively deliver health and safety related messages leading to improved employee engagement.
Risk Assessment Workshop
This practical one-day workshop is designed to give attendees the knowledge and confidence to carry out’ suitable and sufficient’ risk assessments in the workplace.
This course looks at the requirements for assessing risk, the stages of risk assessment and risk control strategies.
Attendees will get the chance to under-take risk assessments linked to typical workplace scenarios.
These courses are scheduled for the following dates:
Managing Health & Safety: An Introduction – 14th June 2010 - Edinburgh (SELECT Member cost £190+VAT)
Risk Assessment Workshop – 15th June 2010 – Edinburgh (SELECT Member cost £160+VAT)
Grant support of 25% will be available from the Electrical Engineering Training Foundation (EETF) or may be available from your Local Enterprise Company.
We are planning to run additional courses throughout Scotland in 2010. Dates/ locations will be published shortly.
For further information or to book a place on either of these courses, please email elaine.ellis@select.org.uk or call 0131 445 5577
What's coming up in the April edition of CABLEtalk
March 30, 2010
- Cover Story - Breaking News! SELECT Members can now display a new badge of excellence.
- MD Comment - Newell McGuiness on trade associations.
- Holyrood - David Wright's political opinion piece.
- H & S - Working at heights.
Please click here to read CABLEtalk online
SELECT ROADSHOWS 2010
March 4, 2010
Starting in mid-April, SELECT will be hosting a series of Open Day Road Shows throughout Scotland from Dumfries to Inverness, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland. The Road Shows will allow members to meet SELECT staff and to be updated on all the services that are on offer to member companies including training, stationery, technical assistance, welfare benefits, grading matters as well as the opportunity to meet our member services representatives. As part of the Open Day programme we will also present a short seminar on Periodic Inspection Reporting (PIR) for domestic and similar electrical installations. Based on the Electrical Safety Council's Best Practice Guide on the subject, the seminar will give members guidance on the purpose of the PIR, how to complete one and the recommendation codes for observations. There will also be an overview of the new Electrical Condition Report currently under development and scheduled for inclusion in the 1st amendment of the 17th edition of BS7671 due out next year.
These free road shows will run from 10:30am to approx. 12:30pm followed by a buffet lunch. Registration and coffee from 10am. Confirmed dates and venues are as follows:
15th April - Bothwell Bridge, Hamilton
22nd April - Walled Garden, Edinburgh
13th May - The Park Hotel, Kilmarnock
19th May - Craigmonie Hotel, Inverness
20th May - Hilton Treetops, Aberdeen
26th May - Cairndale, Dumfries
1st June - Invercarse, Dundee
8th June - Garfield Hotel, Stepps, Glasgow
To ensure your place at one of these events please contact Elaine Ellis at the Walled Garden on 0131 445 5577 or email elaine.ellis@select.org.uk
We look forward to seeing you there.
Dave Forrester
Head of Services
What's coming up in the Febuary edition of CABLEtalk
January 27, 2010
- MD Comment - Newell McGuiness on unleashing the nations potential.
- Profile - Meet Alan Barclay and the team at Fife Council Building Services and learn more about the project that led them to win the prize for Electrical Safety at last years Awards.
- Cover Story - Rudi Klein looks at the weighty issue of pre-qualification.
The Feb 10 edition of CABLEtalk is available now online, please click here.
Pre-Qualification schemes: The war on waste
December 10, 2009
The House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee 'Construction matters' Report highlighted the burden that multiple public sector pre-qualification schemes impose on construction firms – particularly small and medium
enterprises (SMEs). In the current economic climate it was essential to reduce duplication and thereby prevent time and effort being wasted on repeating unnecessary tasks.
Click here to read the full document.
David hangs up his screwdriver
November 25, 2009
After a lifetime of service to the industry, SELECT’s Head of Technical Services David Millar is to retire at the end of December.
David joined the Electrical Contractors Association of Scotland in February 1989 as a Technical Officer and has led and participated in many of the initiatives that today give SELECT its unique position in the industry. These include SELECT’s UKAS accredited inspection service, the establishment of the independent Registration Board and development of SELECT’s much respected Training service.
David also sits on the board that produces the UK Wiring Regulations.
In July of this year, David was honoured at the CBI’s trade association awards where he received their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Whilst David has no direct successor, much of his role will be undertaken by the new Technical Services Manager, Bob Cairney.
SECG Briefing - Project Bank Accounts, Questions and Answers
November 16, 2009
The SEC Group 'BRIEFING' notes relate to specific issues of interest and concern to the specialist engineering sector of the UK construction industry.
The SEC Group 'BRIEFING' notes are produced as and when there is the need to address a specific issue for the attention and guidance of the SEC Group member associations.
The linked document is a question and answer paper on Project Bank Accounts – if you require any further information please get in touch with David Wright in the first instance david.wright@select.org.uk
SEC Group Briefing November 2009 - Project Bank Accounts Questions and Answers
Northern Light shines bright!
October 12, 2009
Star of the show at this year's Awards was Northern Light of Leith.
The specialist theatre company ran away with the Award for Marketing.
Then marketing guru Lois Ferguson lifted the prestigious "Electrical Contractor of the Year" Award.
Northern Light’s fantastic 'can do' approach was well rewarded.
Awards, Awards, Awards!
October 12, 2009
Glasgow's Radisson SAS Hotel was packed out for the fourth SELECT Industry Awards.
Best Practice from the cream of Scotland’s industry was showcased.
Scottish celebrity chef Nick Nairn started the ball rolling and a glittering evening was rounded off with a Ceilidh.
Fabulous evening out for the industry – for fullAwards and pics click here
Sir James recognised
October 12, 2009
Scotland's industry recognised a lifetime of tireless service by conferring its Lifetime Achievement Award to Sir James Morrison-Low.
Sir James served as President from 1982-84 and is an Honorary Member of SELECT,
Sir James is also a much respected musician in Scottish piping circles.
EEIBA
May 27, 2009
SELECT provides £11,000 of comfort for industry welfare charity
SELECT, Scotland’s trade association for the electrical, electronics and communications systems industry, has made a major contribution to the welfare of the people who work or have worked in this highly-skilled sector.
Dougie Geddes, the president of SELECT, presented a cheque for £11,000 to the Electrical and Electronics Industries Benevolent Association, the only charity that exists to provide help to the needy and distressed of the electrical and electronics industries and any connected or allied industries and sciences in the UK.The magnificent sum was realised from the proceeds of SELECT’s own benevolent fund, which the trade body has run as a charity for decades. SELECT’s board decided to dissolve the fund in light of continually increasing costs entailed in auditing and compliance with regulations imposed by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
SELECT also awarded a sum of £11,000 to its own Electrical Engineering Training Foundation. These monies will be ring-fenced in an account to provide funds and bursaries for people who would not otherwise be able to afford training.
Dougie Geddes, who made the presentation at Archerfield Links Golf Club, East Lothian, said: “SELECT is more than pleased to be able to help EEIBA, which does such valuable work for people who have been involved in our industry. It is also gratifying to be able to direct such a substantial sum towards our own foundation.”
Jim Speirs, President of EEIBA, said: “Contributions such as SELECT’s make it so much easier for us to provide information and advice to families and individuals in need, provide grants and financial support. We cannot thank SELECT enough.”
For more information please contact:-
David Wright, Head of External Affairs at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, tel. 0131 445 5577.
EEIBA tel. 020 8673 9829, www.eeiba.org
Registered as a Charity in Scotland No SCO38811 Registered Office: 8 Station Parade, Balham High Road, London SW12 9BH
SELECT wins industry award for members
May 24, 2009
SELECT, Scotland's trade association for the electrical industry, has been recognised in this year's CBI Trade Association Forum Awards, winning the prize in the Member Success category.
SELECT has been through a marked transformation over the last four years and it was the success of these changes and its improved ability to serve and represent members that saw it come out on top, ahead of stiff competition.
Founded in 1900, SELECT is the oldest electrical industry trade association in the world, and over recent years it has re-energised both itself and the services it offers to members.
For over 100 years SELECT's membership hovered around the 500 mark. In the last four years that figure has more than doubled to 1100 and is still rising, giving the association a more powerful voice for its members.
In announcing their decision the judges said: "SELECT's membership surge has given it a stronger voice in Scotland, and a more powerful lobbying presence with government and local authorities. Its member firms now undertake 90 percent of all electrical installations done in Scotland."
Newell McGuiness, SELECT's managing director was delighted by the win and added: "We have worked hard over recent years to make sure we are highly relevant to our members' day–to–day activities and that we offer them the support, information and representation that they want and need."
Looking forward he said: "The added strength our growing membership provides us with also means we are better positioned to fight their corner successfully and this is at the very heart of our focus for the future."
The Best Practice Awards ceremony took place at the Intercontinental London Park Lane Hotel on Thursday 24 July and was hosted by Sandi Toksvig.
The Trade Association Forum is dedicated to encouraging best practice among UK trade associations and seeks to promote the role of effective trade associations to government, industry and the wider public.
Its annual award ceremony has become the benchmark in good practice for trade associations throughout the UK.
For more information please contact:-
David Wright, Head of External Affairs at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, tel. 0131 445 5577.
SELECT Roadshows 2009 (including Safe Electrical Isolation seminars):
May 24, 2009
SELECT is hosting a series of Open Day Road Shows throughout the country from Inverness to Dumfries (we will be visiting the Northern Isles later in the year). These events give members the opportunity to meet SELECT staff and to be updated on all the many services that are on offer to member companies.
As part of the programme, we will also be presenting seminars on Safe Electrical Isolation and Working Practices, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive. These presentations will be based on past experiences and subsequent court proceedings, concentrating on the roles and responsibilities of managers, supervisors and electricians in ensuring a safe working environment on-site .
In addition there will be a free Safe Isolation Starter Kit for every attendee.
Time? 10.00 am to 12.30 followed by a buffet lunch.
Where and when?
- 4th Feb – Edinburgh
- 12th Feb – Hamilton
- 17th Feb – Kilmarnock
- 26th Feb – Aberdeen
- 4th March – Dundee
- 19th March – Glasgow
- 1st April – Dumfries
- 8th April – Inverness
Book your place by contacting Elaine Ellis on 0131 445 5577 or email elaine.ellis@select.org.uk
What is CLE?
May 24, 2009
The Construction Licensing Executive (CLE) is the self-regulating body for the construction trades in Scotland, setting standards for quality of workmanship and care.
The CLE aims to have all reputable traders licensed to provide consumers with a source of credible construction businesses in Scotland.
If you would like to apply please go to www.clescotland.com for more information.
SELECT Electrotechnical Awards 2008
May 24, 2009
Now in their third year, the SELECT Electrotechnical Awards have rapidly become established as the top event in the industry calendar and if you thought last year couldn't be topped – wait 'til you see what's planned for 2008. Once again we're recognising and rewarding exellence – make sure you don't miss out this year.
You can download an application form and if you need any help please get in touch with Heather Martin – heather.martin@select.org.uk or 0131 445 5577
