Part P is sadly not working. After so many years wishing for legislation like Corgi, the thought of JIB-approved electricians being recognised for their skills was like a breath of fresh air. Now, like many others, I feel let down by a scheme that has legalised the rogue trader and left a bitter taste in fully qualified tradespersons' mouths.

I served my apprenticeship with a well established ECA and NICEIC registered firm, being taught how to install safe, well-presented installations. Now if someone with an ounce of knowledge is prepared to pay a subscription fee, they are in the public's eye as good an electrician as me and my firm.

How can the public tell the difference between an NICEIC domestic installer and a full member? Where do the kitchen and bathroom fitters draw the line of their competence? The only way that this scheme could have worked was for the JIB Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) to be the route for recognition and registration. That way the qualified would be competing against each other and the public safeguarded against the so-called ‘qualified domestic installers'.

Now the domestic market is so competitive I know many good electrical firms are either trying to specialise or are leaving the industry altogether - and the powers that be think this is the way forward! Don't let the firemen strike again because I strongly believe that domestic electrical fires and shocks shall be on the increase. The sooner one can only obtain electrical materials and become registered with a governing body by showing an ECS card the better.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor

Postscript

Philip Ellcock, PM Ellcock, Philip Ellcock wins this month's drink vouchers.