Trade body steps up electrician campaign

An influential working group has been established in the Scottish Government to try and prevent untrained traders posing as qualified electricians.

The creation of the group is the latest stage in a concerted campaign by trade body Select to gain official recognition of qualified electricians in the interests of public safety.

The campaign is pushing ministers to accept and legislate for the fact that electricians undergo an intensive training akin to that required for other professional qualifications and to agree that their skills should be protected.

SNP MSP Colin Beattie, who has reiterated his support for the registration of electricians, pressed the Government last month about the membership of the group and its remit.

Economy secretary Keith Brown said in a written answer that a group has been established to explore how best to respond to the challenge of ensuring the safety of electrical installations.

Select boss Newell Mcguiness said: “The working group is committed to three key outcomes: protecting consumers; protecting properly qualified electricians and creating an inhospitable environment for rogues.”