SELECT, Scotland’s trade body for the electrotechnical industry, has once again warned of the serious danger posed to public safety by training organisations offering short courses that promise to equip people with electrical skills in just a few weeks. The association expressed dismay that some providers are offering periods even shorter than the widely derided “six-week wonders”.

SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson highlighted the "considerable concern" that these fast-track courses suggest it's possible to learn in a few weeks the complex technical skills that qualified electricians take years to acquire.

• Public Safety Risk: Mr Wilson stressed that inadequately trained people pose a significant risk to both consumers and the electrical sector itself due to the potential for faulty electrical work, which can lead to fires, injury, or death. Research carried out for SELECT in 2018 showed that faulty electrical installations account for 7.1 per cent of all fires in Scotland, with damage costing around £9.6 million.

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• Renewables Technology: With the rise in renewables and increasingly sophisticated technology, it's vital that only properly qualified and skilled experts carry out installation, repairs, and maintenance.

• The Only Substitute: Mr Wilson maintained that there is "no substitute for a proper apprenticeship" followed by extensive on-the-job experience.

SELECT is at the forefront of a long-running campaign for the professional recognition of electricians in Scotland, a measure which is now gaining traction in the Scottish Parliament. If successful, this regulation would make it unlawful for unqualified people to pose as electricians by introducing a "protection of title".

This would be underpinned by a single register of electricians, providing consumers with the assurance that anyone calling themselves an electrician is qualified and competent to undertake the work. The Scottish Government has accepted that the regulation of electricians is not reserved to Westminster.

SELECT, the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), and Unite the Union work in partnership with the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) to run the rigorous Modern Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation.

For people wanting a change in career, Mr Wilson confirmed that adult apprenticeship schemes are generally still the best option for securing a recognised qualification, although there are other routes for people with existing transferrable skills or technical backgrounds. The SJIB operates a Crediting Electrical Competence (CEC) Scheme which allows individuals with substantial experience or relevant qualifications to have their skills assessed against industry standards.