SELECT, the Scottish electrical contractors' trade body, has launched a graduate certificate qualification in management practice in association with Napier University.

The qualification is aimed at individuals who may have trained as electricians, but over the years seen increasing managerial responsibilities pull them away from the coal face. Without formal management training, making this transition can be difficult and often prevents people from getting the best out of both themselves and their business.

Newell McGuinness, Managing Director of SELECT, said the trade body had made contact with Napier University on the back of discussions with members who had found it hard to find this type of tailored management training for the electrical trade.

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He said: "We have worked hard with both our members and Napier University to create a qualification, which will be of use to individuals on a day-to-day basis, as well as helping them cope with the fast changing commercial environment we are all working in."

The year-long course will be split into three modules, incorporating a total of nine on site days. These days will be split between SELECT's Midlothian headquarters and Napier University's own Edinburgh campus. Over and above the time spent on site, there will also be work-based projects to complete. The fees for the course will be subsidised and SELECT members will only have to pay £750. The Electrical Engineering Training Foundation (EETF) will cover the remaining £1,000.

Mr McGuiness said: "The financial support from the EETF means our members can access bespoke training at a cost which really represents excellent value. We were also keen to see members spend some time on campus so that they could see for themselves what else the university had to offer and potentially enrol in further programmes that will assist them commercially."

The first intake for the course begins in October and there will be 16 people on the programme. In the coming years, Mr McGuinness is hopeful that demand will be there to run two programmes a year.

The qualification is fully portable and SELECT is considering offering it from other locations in Scotland. For more information contact David Wright, Head of Exernal Affairs at SELECT tel: 0131 445 5577.

(GK/JM)