A

The ECA and the union Amicus, working through the Joint Industry Board (JIB), offer an adult training scheme for mature individuals who are ineligible for the industry's government-funded Advanced Apprenticeship. Adult training is a significant issue for the ECA. Lack of funding for adult training to industry-recognised standards poses as a major disincentive to employers and employees alike and inhibits upskilling the existing workforce, re-skilling mature new entrants to the industry, and the take-up of all forms of adult apprenticeship.

ECA member companies in England , Wales and Northern Ireland support vocational training for apprentices in a range of occupations through the electrotechnical industry's foundation and advanced apprenticeship frameworks, developed together with the Sector Skills Council, SummitSkills.

Successful completion of a framework results in the award of an industry-recognised National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and enables the apprentice to obtain an Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) skill card in a relevant discipline. Presently, take-up of the advanced apprenticeship for electrical installation is among the highest in any industry at about 3,500 apprentices a year, and completion rates are an impressive 70 per cent (compared with a norm of less than 30 per cent across the related industries).

C

 Construction Industry Scheme (taxation) :-

The ECA is represented on the Construction Industry Reform Implementation Panel (CIRIP) consulting with HMRC and other industry bodies on the revision of the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). The new CIS is designed to offer electronically based procedures and was launched in April 2007. View the ECA website's CIS pages for more information.

Consumer Protection :-

The ECA’s Code of Fair Trading is registered with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). This code includes the commitment that members will work to recognized industry standards. To cover the event of insolvency or the failure of a business to comply with industry standards, customers can ask a member company for an insurance-backed warranty and bond.

The ECA is an active participant in the DTI’s TrustMark scheme – the Government’s consumer protection initiative for the construction industry. The Association is licensed to sign-up members who work for consumers and want to take advantage of the scheme and comply with its requirements.

E

Employment – Labour Agencies

Labour agencies have become increasingly common within the electrical contracting industry and a significant proportion of individuals choose to obtain work through these bodies. The ability to offset business expenses against tax make agency employment attractive to individuals who wish to work in this way and the availability of agency labour for short term work provides a resource for some projects. The ECA is working to establish a quality framework for agencies that operate within the industry.

The Inland Revenue and the Employment Tribunals use different tests to determine whether an individual is deemed to be an employee or self-employed. This difference of approach leads to uncertainty amongst employers when utilising individuals who have self-employed status in terms of their tax arrangements, but may be able to claim employment rights from the contractor. The ECA would like to see a measure of greater consistency and certainty in this area so that their employers are not exposed to the financial risks created by the government's present approach.

Energy Efficiency

Electrical contractors have a key role to play in improving the energy efficiency of buildings, thereby helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In response to the 2006 revision of Part L (conservation of fuel and power) of the Building Regulations, ECA has launched its Electrical Energy Efficiency Scheme. This scheme has been authorised by Government for assessing and certificating electrical contractors that are able to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations, in particular, Part L.

Europe :-

The ECA is actively involved in monitoring the actions of the European Commission. Subjects of particular interest include the public procurement and health and safety directives and all those actions that have an impact on training, employment practices and employment costs. The Association also participates in the activities of CEN and CENELEC, working through both BSI and its European association, the AIE.

H

The ECA plays a major role in the promotion of health and safety within member companies and is committed to the Government's 'Revitalising Health and Safety' programme through its ZAP initiative (see ‘Z’ below). This initiative, as well as other activities and processes, is designed to support the ECA target of achieving by 2004/2005: no fatal accidents, a 30% reduction in reportable accidents and a 40% reduction in major injuries.

I

The ECA partners the union Amicus (AEEU Section) within the Joint Industry Board (JIB) for the Electrical Contracting Industry. This partnership has been in place since 1968 and has provided a leading-edge industrial relations framework that continues to develop and flourish.

Insolvency :-

Working through the Constructors' Liaison Group (CLG) the ECA has urged the Insolvency Service to consider a separate study into the operation of insolvency law and practice in the construction industry.

The ECA's view is that the reform of construction insolvency practice should focus on the plight of downstream payees, the vast majority of which are SMEs and which continue to suffer whilst monies they have earned, particularly retention monies, are diverted to a floating charge holder.

N

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are competency-based qualifications forming the basis of the industry's initial vocational education and training. They are used by young entrants coming into the sector through the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship programme and by the existing workforce through the Crediting Electrotechnical Competence framework. The ECA has become increasingly concerned about the bureaucracy associated with the delivery of vocational qualifications within the sector.

Q

Qualifications

The ECA would prefer that all industry practitioners be qualified to an appropriate standard, capable of industry-wide recognition. The Association endorses the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) as an effective means of ensuring that the bearer of an ECS card is qualified to an appropriate standard for the work they carry out and have also achieved basic health and safety qualifications.

Quality

The ECA is an association of quality electrical contractors. In this context, Quality is defined as working to a Code of Fair Trading that requires members to use appropriate contract documentation and to carry out work that complies with the relevant industry standards (principally BS7671). The code is underpinned by an insurance-backed warranty and bond and includes a complaints and disputes resolution process.

S

The ECA is pleased to support SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering, which, amongst many other activities, works with employers in the electrotechnical, HVAC, refrigeration and plumbing industries to develop and maintain the occupational standards underpinning the sector's qualifications. The ECA sees the formation of SummitSkills in 2002 as governmental recognition of the strategic and economic importance of the sector – of which the electrotechnical industry forms the largest part.

Self-certification

Self-certification was introduced by Government to reduce the administrative burden of the Building Regulations and allow local authorities to concentrate their inspection and enforcement resources on the areas of highest risk. The basic principle is that firms adjudged to be sufficiently competent are permitted to self-certify that their work has been carried out in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Building Regulations.

Self-certification schemes were first introduced for electrical contractors just prior to the introduction of Part P (Electrical Safety) of the Building Regulations in 2005. There are now almost 30,000 electrical contractors signed up with five (full-scope) authorised Part P schemes.

The ECA strongly supports the concept of self-certification by ‘Competent Persons’, provided the standards of competence are transparent, appropriate and properly applied.

Sustainability

ECA members are key players in the installation of business and domestic energy supplies but there are other sustainability issues such as waste recovery and disposal. Examples are tougher legal controls on disposing of waste and recycling electrical goods.

Many ECA members are already asked, when tendering for work, for details of their approach to environmental issues. Some of the larger member companies have achieved certification to environmental management standards (notably ISO 14001). The growth in low/no carbon energy sources such as wind and other micro-generation, and the need for greater energy efficiency offer significant opportunities for ECA members. The ECA is already well regarded for its approach to quality and safety and a responsible, professional and cost-effective approach to environmental performance and installation will further add value for our members and our clients.

T

Terms of Payment :-

While the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 has done much to improve the position of specialist and sub-contractors in construction, there are residual problems. In particular, the common provision in construction contracts for ‘retentions’ is open to abuse by clients and main contractors. Working with other associations within the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group, the ECA is lobbying for fairness in the process. In addition, the arrangements for payment within construction render electrical contractors particularly vulnerable in the event of a client’s insolvency.

Training :-

In addition to its support for apprenticeships, adult training and SummitSkills, the industry's Sector Skills Council, the ECA provides its members and the wider industry with access to a comprehensive suite of short courses through its Business Development, Health and Safety and Technical programmes. Member firms are additionally supported through help, advice and expertise on education and training matters, which enables them to develop their workforce, remain abreast of technical developments in a fast-moving industry, and achieve health and safety standards that are second to none. The ECA remains committed to developing effective working relationships with relevant bodies to establish a better appreciation of the business needs of electrical contractors. See the ECA website’s Education and Training section for more information.

TrustMark

TrustMark is a scheme supported by the government, consumer groups and the building industry to help consumers find reputable tradespeople to carry out repair, maintenance and improvement work. Firms displaying the TrustMark logo have been checked against government-approved standards by a trade association such as ECA that has been licensed by TrustMark for this purpose.

V

VAT :-

The ECA has long argued that a reduction in VAT on domestic repair and improvement work is essential if electrical contractors are to be able to compete effectively with those contractors who are not registered for, or otherwise avoid paying, VAT. The current VAT arrangements function as an obstacle to business development and the achievement of customer satisfaction.

The ECA will press the Environment Agency for clear, practical information to allow members to comply cost-effectively with waste disposal and recovery legislation. It also promotes waste minimisation, working with government-supported schemes such as Envirowise. The Association recognises that there may be commercial advantage for members who can deal effectively with the UK waste disposal and recovery regime. See also our Environment pages.

Z

Zero Accident Potential (ZAP)

The ECA launched its Zero Accident Potential (ZAP) initiative in 2001 and, by the end of 2005, there had been a substantial reduction of more than 29 per cent in the number of RIDDOR reportable accidents. The reduction of major accidents is even more significant, with a drop of 59 per cent. The initiative was ECA’s key contribution to the 2001 Construction Summit where the industry set itself challenging safety targets. ZAP Phase Two sets even tougher targets to 2010, supported by a range of practical measures designed to further improve ECA members’ health and safety performance.