Body Text: SELECT, the Scottish electrical trade association, has launched a three-point manifesto outlining its priorities for the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections. The organization is advocating for collaboration with all political parties to foster a safer society, a more robust electrotechnical industry, and a successful transition to net zero.

The manifesto, unveiled at the SELECT Annual General Meeting, focuses on three key areas:

• A properly regulated electrotechnical profession: To enhance safety standards, public trust, and overall industry quality.

• A future-proofed net zero skills strategy: To ensure a stronger and fairer electrical profession equipped for future demands.

• A sector fully enabled to drive the renewables transformation: To contribute to a greener and more resilient Scotland.

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Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, emphasized the critical juncture Scotland faces. "As we transition to a low-carbon economy, our nation’s future depends on a safe, skilled and strategically empowered electrotechnical workforce," he said. Wilson urged policymakers to support SELECT's vision for powering progress together.

Regarding regulation, SELECT is calling for the next Scottish Government to legislate for statutory protection of title, ensuring that only individuals meeting nationally recognized qualifications can use the title 'electrician.'

On skills, the association seeks a commitment from politicians to a just transition for the electrotechnical workforce. This includes providing accessible lifelong learning, expanding and modernizing apprenticeships, and offering additional support for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) contractors.

For renewables, SELECT's manifesto advocates for electricians to be central to Scotland's energy strategy. It emphasizes recognizing the electrotechnical sector as essential infrastructure for net zero and local energy resilience, and empowering electricians to lead in energy projects.

SELECT President Mike Stark highlighted the importance of competent and properly-trained professionals for Scotland's net zero goals, particularly concerning new technologies like heat pumps, EV charging, smart grids, and energy storage. Stark added that "By introducing these measures, public safety, consumer protection and professional pride will all be strengthened, lives will be saved and money currently used to fix poor work will be used in a better way."