Craig strikes gold
SECTT was celebrating recently after two apprentices from north of the border triumphed in the prestigious SkillELECTRIC competition.
Craig Fairweather and Andrew Horne clinched gold and silver respectively in the UK-wide contest – making it yet another Scottish victory at the finals.
Craig, 23, was crowned the 2022 SkillELECTRIC champion after a challenging two-day final which saw the cream of young electrical talent from across the UK battle it out for top spot.
Employed by SELECT Member firm McDonald & Munro in Moray, and trained by Moray College and SECTT, Craig excelled in a complicated task to install a range of first and second fix items including PVC/PVC surface clipping, plastic conduit, trunking and fireproof cable.
The runner-up spot went to his fellow Scottish apprentice Andrew, who works for SELECT Member firm A Campbell Electrical Services in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, and is trained by Lews Castle College and SECTT.
Anne Galbraith, CEO of SECTT, said: “Craig and Andrew should be extremely proud of their achievements as they had to overcome some extremely tough competition to win.
“Scottish apprentices previously won silver and gold at SkillELECTRIC in 2018 and silver and bronze in 2019, so they are continuing the fine tradition of apprentices being produced by Scotland.
“This victory also reinforces the importance of the excellent SJIB Modern Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation and demonstrates the ongoing commitment from employers, apprentices, colleges and the SJIB and SECTT teams.”
The SkillELECTRIC final took place at Middlesbrough College on 16 and 17 November, with the winners announced on Friday 25 November during a live WorldSkills UK broadcast with TV presenter Steph McGovern. Judges assessed the competitors in areas such as measuring accuracy within 2mm, horizontal and vertical alignment, electrical terminations, functionality, containment symmetry, inspection and testing, and safe working practices.
“Craig and Andrew should be extremely proud of their achievements as they had to overcome some extremely tough competition to win”
The final included two other Scottish apprentices – Robert Rae of Dumfries & Galloway College, employed by SELECT Member firm Lotus Electrical Services, and Robbie Neave of Borders College and Braidwood Building Contractors.
Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), said: “This is a stunning victory and testament to the strength and quality of electrical apprenticeships in Scotland, which saw record numbers recruited in 2022 for the second year in a row.
“It is vital that we now keep investing in our apprentices and adult trainees to ensure we have a pipeline of talent who can follow in the footsteps of Craig and Andrew.”
Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, added: “We are delighted to see apprentices from two SELECT Member firms come home with gold and silver. Craig and Andrew are both a credit to their companies and their colleges.”
All finalists received a range of prizes including equipment from CK Tools and SELECT Associate Members Megger and Scolmore, with Craig also receiving a Megger multi-function tester, an iPad, a 10-piece electrician’s tool kit, MightyRod PRO Cable Rod Kit, automatic wire stripper, voltage detector and trimming knife.
Megger gift for fica candidates
SELECT Associate Member Megger has kindly donated TPT420 voltage testers and MPU690 proving units for use by candidates undertaking their FICA at SECTT assessment centres.
Assessment Centre Manager David Henderson received the kits from Sandy Thompson, Megger Territory Sales Manager, during a recent visit to the centre in Cambuslang.
David said: “The Megger brand is highly regarded in the industry and this generous donation will be welcomed by both staff and candidates.”
New booths are now in business
The new booths at Cambuslang Assessment Centre are now up and running, with Daryl Aitchison also joining the SECTT team as an assessor.
SECTT is also excited to be in a position to increase the number of candidates attending the centre which, along with Edinburgh, has minimal waiting times.
Anne Galbraith, CEO of SECTT, said: “We recommend that those who are ready to sit their FICA, no matter where they live, consider travelling to the Central Belt where they will be able to sit the FICA within a short time.
“SECTT has made each centre a good environment to help candidates relax, which is not always easy under any test conditions.”
