SELECT has welcomed the Scottish Government's Housing Emergency Action Plan but warned that it is "absolutely vital" for the country to have a pipeline of qualified and skilled professionals to deliver it.

The plan includes a £4.9 billion investment over the next four years for social and affordable housing.

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said the construction sector would need a "pool of trained and skilled professionals that includes electricians" for the programme to be successfully delivered. He expressed concern about skills shortages and said the government must continue to support the training of electrical apprentices.

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Jim Cooper, a Central Board member for SELECT and Managing Director of Electro Installations, agreed, stating that a sustainable pipeline of electrical talent is of "fundamental importance." He added that "intervention from government is needed, and needed soon" to ensure Scotland produces the skilled staff the industry needs.

The Action Plan, unveiled by Cabinet Secretary for Housing Mairi McAllan on Tuesday, 2 September, aims to address the fact that Scotland has needed an additional 100,000 homes since 2008. It proposes working with the housebuilding sector to increase delivery by at least 10% each year over the next three years.