Sparks' Remarks Fri, 20 Mar 2026 03:34:21 -0400 http://www.sectt.org.uk en © 2026 Sparks' Remarks yes 63c2b4a2-4415-509a-93ee-3d0f884ecb52 SECTT episodic false This four part series follows apprentice electricians in Scotland as they learn their trade. 

From time keeping to tech and self-confidence to science, these young men and women are supported by the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) to learn a valuable trade and equip themselves for the world of work.

Presented by journalist Kim McAllister and Training and Development Manager at SECTT, Barrie McKay.

www.sectt.org.uk
www.select.org.uk

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) SECTT https://storage.buzzsprout.com/qk0ohdrdbrkhk3gl97javxm2qc5k?.jpg Sparks' Remarks http://www.sectt.org.uk Kim McAllister 'Unprecedented opportunities' ahead for electricians 'Unprecedented opportunities' ahead for electricians Professor Sean Smith, Edinburgh University’s Director of the Centre for
Future Infrastructure at the Edinburgh Futures Institute and Chair of Future
Construction in the School of Engineering, forecasts huge growth in the electrical sector.

Listen as he discusses the opportunity to double the work force en route to achieveing Net Zero targets.

]]> Professor Sean Smith, Edinburgh University’s Director of the Centre for
Future Infrastructure at the Edinburgh Futures Institute and Chair of Future
Construction in the School of Engineering, forecasts huge growth in the electrical sector.

Listen as he discusses the opportunity to double the work force en route to achieveing Net Zero targets.

]]> SECTT Buzzsprout-17107807 Mon, 26 May 2025 11:00:00 +0100 1260 full false Can you smell fish? Bypassed boards, cable calamities and other electrical horror stories Can you smell fish? Bypassed boards, cable calamities and other electrical horror stories Electricity is the one thing a DIY enthusiast should leave well alone.

Three electricians share their horror stories - and a few lighter moments - on the latest podcast episode from SELECT

]]> Electricity is the one thing a DIY enthusiast should leave well alone.

Three electricians share their horror stories - and a few lighter moments - on the latest podcast episode from SELECT

]]> SECTT Buzzsprout-16804898 Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000 1220 full false Regulation: If it’s good enough for street sweepers, why not electricians? Regulation: If it’s good enough for street sweepers, why not electricians? For decades now, SELECT has been campaigning for the protection of the title for "electrician".

At present, anyone can call themselves an electrician, while other professions like street sweepers and farriers insist on a register and strict regulation of who can use the title.

The campaign has gathered a massive groundswell of support, with leading organisations and politicians now backing our crusade for a safer Scotland.

Listen as managing director Alan Wilson discusses the need for better protection and a cross-section of experienced MSPs explain why they agree.

]]> For decades now, SELECT has been campaigning for the protection of the title for "electrician".

At present, anyone can call themselves an electrician, while other professions like street sweepers and farriers insist on a register and strict regulation of who can use the title.

The campaign has gathered a massive groundswell of support, with leading organisations and politicians now backing our crusade for a safer Scotland.

Listen as managing director Alan Wilson discusses the need for better protection and a cross-section of experienced MSPs explain why they agree.

]]> SECTT Buzzsprout-15460607 Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0100 2031 full false Skills, drills and bellyaches - live from Hampden Spark Skills, drills and bellyaches - live from Hampden Spark Recorded at the SELECT Toolbox Talk in Glasgow, contractors deliver gossip and grumbles about the current state of the electrical industry, giving their views on everything from recruitment and renewables to cashflow and caramel wafers.

]]> Recorded at the SELECT Toolbox Talk in Glasgow, contractors deliver gossip and grumbles about the current state of the electrical industry, giving their views on everything from recruitment and renewables to cashflow and caramel wafers.

]]> SECTT Buzzsprout-15261338 Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0100 1780 full false Telling a lock nut from a hazelnut Telling a lock nut from a hazelnut Lecturer Andrew McIntosh, from UHI Inverness, discusses using modern technology and media like podcasts to engage the apprentices. Ryan Murray also joins to give the apprentices' view.

Journalist Kim McAllister and SECTT Training and Development Manager Barrie McKay chat to both to undertand how apprenticeship training has evolved.

Electrical apprenticeships in Scotland are managed by The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB).

Many thanks to SECTT and SELECT, the trade association for the Scottish electrotechnical industry, for supporting this podcast.

www.sectt.org.uk
www.select.org.uk

]]> Lecturer Andrew McIntosh, from UHI Inverness, discusses using modern technology and media like podcasts to engage the apprentices. Ryan Murray also joins to give the apprentices' view.

Journalist Kim McAllister and SECTT Training and Development Manager Barrie McKay chat to both to undertand how apprenticeship training has evolved.

Electrical apprenticeships in Scotland are managed by The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB).

Many thanks to SECTT and SELECT, the trade association for the Scottish electrotechnical industry, for supporting this podcast.

www.sectt.org.uk
www.select.org.uk

]]> SECTT Buzzsprout-14682413 Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000 1550 apprentice, electrician, apprentice electrician, apprenticeship 1 4 full false Five-way tag teams, the proud father and a kick up the bahookie Five-way tag teams, the proud father and a kick up the bahookie What do the bosses think of the apprentices?

Journalist Kim McAllister and SECTT Training and Development Manager Barrie McKay chat to employer Mike Stark and apprentice Joshua Jones from OCS to find out how the relationship works and how the other three parts of the tag team – SECTT, the college and the training officer – fit in.

Electrical apprenticeships in Scotland are managed by The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB).

Many thanks to SECTT and SELECT, the trade association for the Scottish electrotechnical industry, for supporting this podcast.

www.sectt.org.uk
www.select.org.uk



]]> What do the bosses think of the apprentices?

Journalist Kim McAllister and SECTT Training and Development Manager Barrie McKay chat to employer Mike Stark and apprentice Joshua Jones from OCS to find out how the relationship works and how the other three parts of the tag team – SECTT, the college and the training officer – fit in.

Electrical apprenticeships in Scotland are managed by The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB).

Many thanks to SECTT and SELECT, the trade association for the Scottish electrotechnical industry, for supporting this podcast.

www.sectt.org.uk
www.select.org.uk



]]> SECTT Buzzsprout-14002446 Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000 1342 full false More than wires and pliers - my first year as an apprentice More than wires and pliers - my first year as an apprentice What's it like to be an apprentice electrician?

Journalist Kim McAllister and SECTT Training and Development Manager Barrie McKay chat to five apprentices who have just finished their first year.

Electrical apprenticeships in Scotland are managed by The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB). 

Many thanks to SECTT and SELECT, the trade association for the Scottish electrotechnical industry, for supporting this podcast.

www.sectt.org.uk
www.select.org.uk

]]> What's it like to be an apprentice electrician?

Journalist Kim McAllister and SECTT Training and Development Manager Barrie McKay chat to five apprentices who have just finished their first year.

Electrical apprenticeships in Scotland are managed by The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB). 

Many thanks to SECTT and SELECT, the trade association for the Scottish electrotechnical industry, for supporting this podcast.

www.sectt.org.uk
www.select.org.uk

]]> SECTT Buzzsprout-13276347 Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0100 1381 full false The good, the bad and the fallopian tube windups - episode 1 The good, the bad and the fallopian tube windups - episode 1 What's it like to be an apprentice electrician?

Journalist Kim McAllister and SECTT Training and Development Manager Barrie McKay chat to five apprentices half-way through their first year, trying to learn everything from time management and tech to self-confidence and science as they work in the electrical trade and attend West Lothian College.

Electrical apprenticeships in Scotland are managed by The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB). 

Many thanks to SECTT and SELECT, the trade association for the Scottish electrotechnical industry, for supporting this podcast.

www.sectt.org.uk
www.select.org.uk



]]> What's it like to be an apprentice electrician?

Journalist Kim McAllister and SECTT Training and Development Manager Barrie McKay chat to five apprentices half-way through their first year, trying to learn everything from time management and tech to self-confidence and science as they work in the electrical trade and attend West Lothian College.

Electrical apprenticeships in Scotland are managed by The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) on behalf of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB). 

Many thanks to SECTT and SELECT, the trade association for the Scottish electrotechnical industry, for supporting this podcast.

www.sectt.org.uk
www.select.org.uk



]]> SECTT Buzzsprout-12578569 Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:00:00 +0100 949 full false