What happens when one of Scotland’s most critical trades remains unregulated? In this episode of The Hard Hat Talks, host Kenneth Martin sits down with Alan Wilson, MD of the SELECT trade association, to expose the hidden risks in the electrical contracting sector - where up to one in five people calling themselves “electricians” may lack formal credentials, and apprenticeships struggle to keep pace with demand.Alan reveals how small-business electricians are the backbone of the green transition - from vehicle-to-grid tech and battery storage to EV charging - and yet face storm clouds of regulatory uncertainty, training bottlenecks, and cash-flow constraints. We dig into the urgent push for professional regulation, the apprenticeship paradox (19,000 aptitude test takers vs only 850 new apprentices annually), and why prompt payment into micro-SMEs is just as important as any policy.If you’re an architect, contractor or developer who relies on trade competence - or a policy maker thinking about what “safe and sustainable work” really means—this episode delivers actionable insights. Discover how verifying trade qualifications, supporting small training providers, and aligning regulation with on-site reality can help the industry deliver with confidence.📚 What You’ll Learn - The scale and impact of an unregulated electrical trade in Scotland and the safety implications for homeowners and developers. - Why only 850 new apprentice electricians are recruited each year out of 19,000 aptitude test takers - and what this signals for the sector. - How the shift to electric vehicles, battery storage and V2G (“vehicle-to-grid”) systems raises the bar for competency across electrical trades. - Why cash-flow and prompt payment matter for micro-businesses training the next generation of electricians and powering industry growth. - How policy, regulation and trade bodies are working to put electrician standards into party manifestos—before the next election. - Practical advice for architects, designers and clients on verifying trade credentials, mitigating risk and delivering compliant, high-quality installations.⏱️ Timeline / Chapters01:10 • Alan Wilson’s background – from trainee buyer to MD of SELECT02:08 What is SELECT & the role of trade associations04:30 • The core problem: unregulated electrical profession in Scotland07:55 • Regulation irony: why some roles are regulated while electricians are not09:10 • The Apprenticeship Paradox – demand vs actual recruitments11:35 • The “Electrification of Society” and the green agenda13:20 • The employer bottleneck – micro-businesses & training challenges14:40 • Low return on investment for small firms training apprentices22:00 • Public safety risk – unqualified workforce and fire risk23:23 • Linking poor electrical work to house fires25:15 • Kenneth’s real-world example of falsified credentials26:40 • The political campaign for electrician regulation28:35 • Failures of policy and the impact on renewables/installations32:15 • New homes as mini power-stations – V2G & future demands33:20 • Construction as an enabling sector and policy uncertainty36:12 • Planning system ripple effect – speed, change & impact38:50 • The “magic wand” wish – prompt payment to SMEs44:40 • The role of trust accounts for retention money🎧 Subscribe and listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music - or visit the Hard Hat Talks page for show notes, links and further reading.

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