NEWS
Amendments to the UK’s standard Requirements for Electrical Installations have been signed off by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI. Amendment 4 (2026) to BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations) features updates including a new chapter on Stationary Secondary Batteries for electrical storage and supply of electrical installations. Further new sections include functional earthing and functional equipotential bonding for information and communication technology equipment and systems, as well as Power over Ethernet. Section 710 Medical Locations has been revised, and a schedule of test results included for recording the resistance of supplementary protective equipotential bonding conductors. Amendment 4 can be implemented immediately when published on April 15, with the previous version, BS 7671:2018+A2:2022+A3:2024, to be withdrawn six months later. This essential update will form the UK national standard for all new low-voltage electrical installations, additions and alterations to existing installations, and periodic inspection and testing of existing installations. www.theiet.org/GetTheRegs New electrical regs signed off
Guilds Ireland opens Electrical Training Centre
A new Training Centre has been opened by Guilds Electrical Training Ireland in the MG Business Park at Tuam, Co Galway. Guilds Ireland specialises in training electricians, delivering professional electrical qualifications and supporting individuals at various stages of their careers within the industry. It is committed to raising standards, developing skills and helping electricians progress confidently and competently in their profession. An official open day was held on March
28 to launch the new facility and its training programmes, connect with other businesses in the area and explore potential collaboration opportunities. Successfully operating in the UK for over 30 years with a base in Nottingham, The Guilds already has 250 Irish students who have previously travelled to the UK for training. Connemara native Barbara McDonagh has been appointed as managing director of the new Centre in Tuam, with several of the staff also local to Galway. www.theguilds.ie
Making apprenticeships financially viable
Research into employers’ different approaches to charge-out rates for electrical apprentices has been published by The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP). It found that 76% of interviewed businesses work on a fixed-price basis, rising to 85% for medium/large and falling to 67% for micro/small businesses. When determining apprentice charge- out rates, 78% apply an hourly rate for apprentices when pricing work, and 65% have a formal process in place to incorporate associated costs such as apprentice wages, supervision,
equipment, administration and travel. Suggested improvements included greater emphasis on practical skills and on-site collaboration, earlier health and safety training, improved consistency in college staffing, and development of a best practice toolkit to help employers with recruitment. TESP has also published summary guidance giving practical advice and considerations to help businesses set rates that are fair, competitive and reflect the true value apprentices bring as they grow in skills and confidence. www.the-esp.org.uk
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 15
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