The Case For and Against Licensing Electricians

How could mandatory licensing benefit the industry and society

Background to Regulation

Why do we feel regulation is needed?

As things stand electrical safety is likely to be better in England, Scotland, and Wales when compared to Northern Ireland. This will also be the case when we compare ourselves to the South of Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Regulation of the industry and or licensing of the individual electrician in some form have been adopted in all of these countries with the aim of improving consumer safety and raising the standards of electrical installation work.

Northern Ireland contractors may be at risk of being left behind or even being set aside in the national and global market place. Only our local domestic market place will tolerate the mix of the highly skilled and qualified electrician alongside the unskilled novice and the emerging unqualified cowboy operator.

The general perception of the work and trade of the electrician has dwindled a little in recent years. This has been most evident with how the electrical contractor both great and small has been affected and treated by the withering and insidious dominance of the domestic sub contract. The affliction and misery of Dutch auctions and horse trading techniques by a significant minority of main contractors and others has battered most of the locals into poor shape. The current recession will undoubtedly accelerate this contemptuous dilemma.

Northern Ireland Electrical Standards Lobbying Group has been set up by ETT, JIB and ECA with the aim of bringing about some form of regulation within the electrical industry, specifically to bring Northern ireland in line with rest of UK and Europe and USA and Australia

So, what is it exactly we are asking for?

• Alongside an enhanced regulatory framework, NIESLG is also calling for the introduction of an accredited and publicly available register of all electrical contractors that would allow consumers to establish the competency and qualifications of operatives
• We will be asking DETI, HSENI, NIHE, Consumer Council, Building Control and others to consider joining in a public information campaign because it is only by raising awareness of the public, who will then ensure that only qualified and registered professionals can do their work that will make those operating outside of the system comply for the betterment and safety of everyone
• Following the Gas Safe Register in NI and the Commission for Energy Regulation’s ‘Safe Electric’ campaign in ROI to inform the general public about the need to check the bona fides and qualifications of gas and electrical workers respectively to see that they are qualified to work on their electricity
• We need to be doing something similar here – there are too many cowboys operating and cutting corners
• The introduction of a regulatory model similar to that achieved with great success in Scotland would send a clear message that responsible procurement practices and consumer protection as well as industry professionalism are a priority for government
• The NI Executive has taken steps to crack down on cowboys in the gas industry we are asking for your support in doing the same in the electrical industry
• This is not a call to help make some within the industry money it its more important than that – this is a call that could save property and ultimately save lives