NEWS
BY CEL O’REILLY, PRESIDENT, IRISH ELECTRICAL BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION Celebrating 25 years of IEBA
In 2001, a group of industry leaders came together with a shared belief: that Ireland’s electrical trade deserved its own safety net - built by the industry, for the industry. Twenty-five years on, IEBA has donated over €2m to hundreds of individuals and families across Ireland. People who lost a spouse. Electricians who couldn’t work. Families facing bills they couldn’t pay. None of that happened without the generosity of this industry. Every fundraiser, every donation, every referral has made a real difference. If you know someone in the trade going through a difficult time, please point them toward us. And if you’ve never considered supporting IEBA - now is the time. E: aine.higgins@irisheba.ie www.irisheba.ie
Joshua Sanderson (SERC), Electrical Installation winner at SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier 2026.
SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier 2026
South Eastern Regional College (SERC) apprentice Joshua Sanderson has achieved the highest score in Electrical Installation at the SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition 2026. Hosted by the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) in partnership with CITB GB and SERC, the event was held at its Greenbank Campus in Newry on May 19. More than 100 of the brightest recruits and top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes across Northern Ireland competed against each other. SERC student Ryan Tang won the NAPIT announces leadership succession
Fire category, while Charlie McMaster from Belfast Met achieved the leading score in Security. Supported by the Department for the Economy and local construction companies, SkillBuild provides an opportunity to showcase skills and raise the status and standards of professional and technical education and training. Winners from the SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition may have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK National Finals in November. www.goconstruct.org
NAPIT has announced that Frank Bertie will retire as managing director at the end of June 2026, when Stephen Melton will be appointed to the role. Frank served as MD for two years, following over 30 years as technical director. He will continue his long and proud relationship with NAPIT, sharing his extensive technical knowledge in a consultative role. Stephen, currently commercial and compliance director, brings a strong track record of leadership and has overseen rapid growth since joining NAPIT in 2019. He is excited to build on this and continue driving standards with key industry stakeholders. Brett Forster, currently head of training, is being promoted to technical and commercial director. With more than 25 years’ industry experience, Brett joined NAPIT in 2021 and brings a strong understanding of the organisation’s commitment to quality, training and customer experience. The new appointments will help shape the next chapter for NAPIT and demonstrate continued commitment to providing expert technical support and guidance. www.napit.org.uk
L-R: Frank Bertie, Stephen Melton and Brett Forster.
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 11
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