New SELECT training courses will help raise electrical safety and assist the industry in the developing knowledge on electric car charging point installations

SELECT, the campaigning body for the electrotechnical trade in Scotland, is set to launch two new training courses in the next few months. The first is an SQA-customised award in electrical safety as part of its commitment to keeping its members at the cutting edge of safety improvement.

The course, which will last for two and a half days, and result in an SCQF level 7 qualification, is aimed at both electricians and safety technicians, including H&S operatives. It will cover changes in legislation, environmental issues such as the safe disposal of electrical waste and safe isolation of circuits.

Dave Forrester, Head of Technical Services for SELECT, said: “The training course material has been prepared and we are currently running pilot courses to ensure that the course content meets our member’s needs. We plan to have the course open to all applicants by Easter.

“As well as the new course on electrical safety, we are also currently testing a course on the safe installation of electric vehicle charging points at residential and business premises. The course will also feature routes to public funding available for installations.”

Mr. Forrester said: “We have looked into providing this training as a response to the rising demand for charging points. The actual installation work is covered within the scope of BS 7671 The Wiring Regulations and as a result, is well within the abilities of any qualified electrician.

“However, the training focuses on the maintenance of charging points, identifying how to access funding and how to get the best value for money for customers.”

The Electrical Vehicle Charging point installation course is likely to be available by early summer, and talks are ongoing with Edinburgh College and other providers.

SELECT, Scotland’s largest trade association, has 1250 member companies who account for around 90% of all electrical installation work carried out in Scotland. They have a collective turnover of around £1 billion and provide employment for 15,000 people.

For further information, please contact: Alan Wilson, Head of Membership and Communications SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, The Walled Garden, Bush Estate, Midlothian, EH26 0SB. T: 0131 445 5577 E: admin@select.org.uk