THE organisation which represents the vast majority of electoral contractors in Scotland has welcomed a major step forward in the regulation of the industry.

Select, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, has hailed the announcement by the Scottish Government of a “call for evidence” to gather data on the extent of substandard electrical installations in Scotland and the risks posed to the public.

The association stated: “The ‘call for evidence’ is a golden opportunity to detail examples of poor or unsafe work which will reinforce the case for making it an offence for someone to call themselves an electrician without holding appropriate qualifications.”

Jamie Hepburn, the Scottish Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, hosted a working group on the issue last week.

He is now asking people to participate by means of a survey (www.pyetait.com/Regulating-Electricians-in-Scotland).

Alan Wilson, acting managing director of Select, said: “It’s good to see the Scottish Government take this first step towards regulation, and we appreciate the action the new minister, Jamie Hepburn, has taken to move this important subject forward.

“It’s a great chance to help make the public safer.

“By introducing protection of title for electricians we would remove a large number of unqualified and often dangerous practitioners from the industry.”

The investigation will cover January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. Submissions must be in by February 15.

Wilson added: “It is vital that as many people as possible take part in the survey to demonstrate that action must be taken.”

Select’s 1250 member companies account for around 90 per cent of all electrical installation work in Scotland. They collectively employ around 15,000 people.