28 April 2024

 

 

Article archive for Electrical Contractors Association

Contractor insolvency creates crushing retention issue (19 September 2012)
A study by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has found that contractor insolvency is stopping the release of retention payments, potentially crippling electrical contractors. read more...

Government must build on Holt Report apprenticeship recommendations (05 September 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) cautiously welcomes the Government’s response to the publication of the Holt Report into apprenticeships and SMEs. However, it says that more must be done to promote transparency in the further education sector if apprenticeship training quality is to improve. read more...

‘Don’t let Government play politics with young people’s future’ (15 August 2012)
As thousands of students pick up their A-Level results on 16 August, Diane Johnson (pictured), Skills Ambassador for the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) says that degrees aren’t the only option and that Government needs to stop playing politics with the qualifications system. read more...

ECA urges contractors to work with businesses for a risk-based approach to PAT (08 August 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) is warning that poor interpretation of HSE guidance on Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) could result in a drop in electrical safety standards in the workplace. read more...

Trade associations cautiously greet Government response to electrical safety report (01 August 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and NICEIC have welcomed the Government’s response to a Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee report, but warn that there is little provision to reward competent contractors. read more...

No tax please, we’re British (25 July 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has condemned tradespeople who take cash-in-hand payments to avoid paying VAT, saying that they are cheating the country out of millions. read more...

ECA takes revolutionary industry initiative to Government (10 July 2012)
A Parliamentary forum hosted by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has highlighted to MPs and councillors how the construction industry could take a leading role in helping Government get people off benefits and back into work. read more...

ECA Skills Ambassador wins inaugural First Women Award (04 July 2012)
Diane Johnson, Skills Ambassador for the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), has become the first ever winner of Real Business and the CBI’s First Women in the Built Environment Award. The accolade is in recognition of her work in transforming the electrical industry through the ECA’s initiative, Wired for Success: ECA Women into Electrical Contracting, which aims to encourage more women into the electrical sector. read more...

Government apprenticeship review (14 June 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) says that a new Government review of apprenticeships – the Richard Review, headed by entrepreneur, Doug Richard – must lead to the exclusion of courses unrecognised by industry, if it is to restore faith in the apprenticeship brand. read more...

ECA backs the future of REA (06 June 2012)
The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) has announced that it has formally decided to withdraw its support for an application by the Association of Electrical Contractors Ireland (AECI) to the Labour Court to cancel the Electrical - Registered Employment Agreement (REA). read more...

'Reform of the electricity market' (09 May 2012)
Her Majesty The Queen has today delivered her annual speech at the state opening of Parliament. As part of her speech, the Queen announced that the Government will propose reforms to the electricity market. “My Government will propose reform of the electricity market to deliver secure, clean and affordable electricity and ensure prices are fair,” stated the Queen. read more...

ECA survey shows varying degrees of confidence for 2012 (11 April 2012)
The Electrical Contractors' Association’s latest Quarterly Business Trends Survey (QBTS) has revealed that market confidence for 2012 varies significantly across the industry, despite a largely positive end to 2011. read more...

National Careers Service must engage with employers, says ECA (11 April 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has welcomed the Government’s launch of the National Careers Service (NCS), but says careers advice must take into account the views of employers if it is to help resolve growing unemployment. read more...

Minimum-term apprenticeships are a good first step (04 April 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association welcomes news that Skills Minister John Hayes has announced that from August 2012, apprenticeships will need to last for a minimum of one year to qualify for Government funding. read more...

ECA urges DECC to align FITs with Green Deal (28 March 2012)
Now that the Government’s FITs appeal has been quashed by the Supreme Court, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) says Government must re-engage with the industry if it wants Solar PV to be a long-term success, starting with a proper review of how FITs will work with the forthcoming Green Deal. read more...

Too many questions means delay will benefit Green Deal and customers (21 March 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) says that with so many unanswered questions about the delivery of the Green Deal, a delay in the launch of the commercial sector offering is likely to help it succeed in the medium to long term. read more...

Don’t blow the Budget bonus (14 March 2012)
In advance of next week’s Budget, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) says that increasing funding for youth employment must be accompanied by investment in projects. Otherwise, the Government will waste the benefits of an anticipated Budget bonus. read more...

‘Don’t waste taxpayer cash on worthless training courses’ (28 February 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) is calling on the Government to clamp down on substandard apprenticeships and ensure that taxpayer's cash goes towards courses that will get people jobs, following the publication of a report on Adult Apprenticeships. read more...

ECA statement on HVCA withdrawal of BESNA (27 February 2012)
“The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) welcomes the news that the HVCA has terminated its plans to introduce the Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA). read more...

ECA urges collaboration on industry agreements (16 February 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has called for all parties affected by the HVCA’s plans to introduce a new Building Services agreement to return to the table and develop a collaborative solution. read more...

ECA welcomes Ed Davey’s appointment (15 February 2012)
Steve Bratt, Group CEO of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), has welcomed the announcement that Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton (pictured), will take up the role of Energy Secretary following Chris Huhne's resignation. read more...

High Court judgment could permanently kill off FiTs (25 January 2012)
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) warns that if the Government loses its appeal on reductions to feed-in tariffs, it could be the end for solar PV tariffs. read more...

ECA tackles unemployment crisis (23 November 2011)
In light of recent unemployment figures, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) is urging UK plc to reconsider its approach to skills training, and calls for the private and public sectors, employer associations and the Government to work together to establish new, more accessible routes into employment. The latest statistics show that 1.09 million women are now out of a job, a 7% increase on the same period last year. read more...

Red tape cuts for apprentices are a good start, says industry leader (18 October 2011)
The Group CEO of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), Steve Bratt, welcomes moves by government to reduce bureaucracy in hiring apprentices, saying they are a “step in the right direction” but urges these changes to be trickled down to small and medium sized firms as soon as possible to avoid a skills and employment crisis. read more...

ACI and ECA launch code of practice (11 October 2011)
The Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) has joined forces with the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) to launch a guide for contractors to help avoid pitfalls when ordering cable. read more...

The Building Services Event opens up a world of opportunities for the building services industry issues (22 September 2011)
As the UK moves towards a more sustainable future, the latest industry research predicts a wealth of new opportunities for the building services industry, making it more important than ever for professionals to embrace the imminent changes and develop new skills. read more...

NICEIC and ECA launch 2021 Vision (31 July 2011)
The NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) have worked together to produce 2021 Vision: The Future of the Electrical Contracting Industry. This major piece of research is designed to provide a long term vision of the position the industry is likely to be in 10 years from now. It is also the first tangible results of talks to see how the two organisations can work together to provide unity and leadership. read more...

Chairman Elected for Sustainability Group (28 April 2008)
Former NG Bailey Engineering Director Jim O'Neil has been elected chairman of M&E Sustainability, the organisation spearheading the promotion of sustainable building services engineering. read more...