Post Election News !
The new coalition government has made a commitment to
implement a full programme of measures to fulfil the pledge for a low carbon and eco-friendly economy, including:
- The establishment of the "smart grid" and the roll-out of smart meters to householders (no time scales as yet)
- The full establishment of feed-in tariff systems in electricity - as well as the maintenance of banded ROCs (
Renewables Obligation Certificate)
- The creation of a green investment bank.
- The provision of home energy improvement paid for by the savings from lower energy bills.
- Retention of energy performance certificates for domestic properties that are being sold - one important pretext to this part of the policy statement is that the much derided HIP's will be scrapped altogether.
The government has provided a real stimulus to the Solar PV installation industry offering real business opportunities for the electrical installation industry.
For more information on renewable energy, including the MCS scheme click here
17th Edition News
A far reaching decision that will affect all electricians and electrical contractors, in fact anyone that is involved in the electrical industry, comes after a review of specific assessment criteria.
This review by the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) management committee includes the IET, the NICEIC, the ECA and all the Part P Competent Person Scheme providers.
For the first time, the EAS establishes that by the end of December 2010, all qualified supervisors will be required to have undertaken and achieved a qualification to the 17th edition of the Wiring Regulations. It is further reported although not officially endorsed, that anyone involved in the process of carrying out any electrical installations will be similarly, be required to hold a 17th edition qualification.
The implications of the EAS are very clear and unambiguous - All businesses seeking competent person status are required to have at least one qualified supervisor, who has day-to-day responsibility for ensuring the safety, quality and technical standard of works undertaken and compiling the results of inspection, testing and verification for certification.
Anyone who has become a qualified supervisor since the introduction of BS 7671:2008 on 1st July 2008 will be required to have already completed the required training and obtained a 17th edition qualification.
If you want to book a place on a 17th edition course just click here
Get Britain Building:
Despite some evidence that now the new government is in place and that the recession seems to be easing up, the campaign group, Get Britain Building is still lobbying hard for a zero VAT rate for house improvements. The group is calling on the new coalition government to "kick start" the house improvement market by radical intervention and fiscal stimulus packages. A coalition of organisations from within the construction sector, makes up the group who are called Get Britain Building. The group is calling on the new government to create a new business environment to help the UK construction industry, to thrive and prosper in the wake of the biggest downturn in the building industry in a generation.
The campaign focuses on the need to help all those involved in the UK construction industry survive the new economic challenges, with an emphasis on minimising excessive control, red tape, unnecessary regulations, and the added burden of taxation.
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Part P News:
Recently, it was announced by the UK Government that important changes to HIPS, which will in time have a positive impact on those that are Part P domestic electricians. From 6 April 2009, more information will need to be made available to potential buyers from the first day a property is put on the market - one of the most significant changes is detailed information about the electrical safety of a property, which would form part of the process as detailed in the Wiring Regulations BS7671;2008, contained within Part 6, Chapter 61: initial verification. Please note that Total Electrical Training has increased the number of courses covering this important area of electrical testing. Booking a course with us is easy
To go to our testing and inspecting course pages, click here or call us on 0845 370 8118 - we are here to help you
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The Blog is Back!
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