Apprentice 121 Podcast

I am joined by industry power houses Luke Osborne - ESF Technical Director, David Powell ESF electrical installation safety engineer, Paul Collins NICEIC technical director and Sam Donaghy NICEIC head of technical advice. We discuss what WRAG is, its role and one of the topical subjects some people are discussing online atm, namely meter cabinets and single insulated cables. I share my views which are opposing to those of Wrag and best practice guidance but with understanding towards the technical analysis of what a box is and how it can be seen as an electrical enclosure. I guess it boils down to external influences and how these boxes are accessed and operated. Even as skilled people should we be expected to enter areas that could reasonably provide us with insulated and sheathed protection when we cant isolate that "enclosure" pre entering it. I am interested to hear your thoughts and views on this and as I mentioned in the chat these people nail the vast majority of these questions and guidance documents. Which is why this particular issue makes no sense to me. My only hope is to stop seeing so many of these installations carried out on new build homes in particular. When consumer safety and standards matter it simply should not be a thing imho. Thanks to the gents for giving up time on an evening to talk about this topic and maybe we will have the opportunity to discuss other things in the future. A real privilege I am not ungrateful for as this recording was done at 7pm out of working hours.

We got into some topics and half on this one! Huge thanks to Richard and Craig for digging into these topics and sharing views/experience. Loved it and hopefully it is useful to those listening along. Richard sharing his involvement in investigating poor electrical work, Craig designing a global trading room floor and Mark taking Solar!

Was great to catch up with Richard and Craig after a bit of a while! We got into the ESF event, Craigs day job, RCD blinding, Testing for DC leakage and loads more! Also towards the end we discuss A121 training.....

We get into the difficulties employers have in 2025 funding apprenticeships and the huge waste of tax payer funding on full time study routes. What do you think? What are the solutions?

Mark, Richard and Craig discuss their experiences of training in the electrical industry with questions answered around science and principles, information on ESF initiatives and what we think to recent changes around minimum apprenticeship lengths and entry requirements. Loved this chat

Are the lack of AFDDs a C2? Should EICR coding be changed and lotsssss more. Mark, Richard and Craig discuss a wide range of topics, with tips and discussion points for all trainees and electricians.

Any questions answered from employers, trainees and electricians including Mark who puts a question to Craig regarding  @Doncaster_Cables  PV ultra SWA. Merry Christmas to everyone who has listened along in 2024 and prior. Special thanks to all the individuals and brands helping along with the college drops which will be completed in early 2025. We will be back with regular weekly episodes in the New Year. #apprentice121

Can we rely on software for electrical design? What are ESF doing to support industry? What is ETT and the Northern Ireland event about? Why is Mark slowly sailing around the world? The ECN awards and Apprentice 121 college support visits. We cover a lot of ground in this one and it was brilliant to catch up with Richard and Craig. Go and watch this https://apprentice121.co.uk/louise-adamson if you do nothing else today, essential viewing. Loved it!

Long overdue catch up with Craig and Richard chatting about incoming changes to T levels (again), challenges training providers have, different earthing systems, steel conduit tips, science and principles tips and loadssss more. We have something coming with Michael Peace soon which is super exciting.

Exclusive run through of amendment 4 to BS 7671 of the wiring regulations with Richard Harvey from Electric Safety First and Craig Buist from Burgess Electrical Services. We rarely get an exclusive run at anything on the only podcast dedicated to apprentices and trainees but the stars aligned today for us! It was supposed to be purely earthing and bonding but we thought this made more sense! We also ran through the now uncool amendment 3 of BS 7671! We did include a run through of earthing systems right at the end! The wrag can found here https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/professional-resources/technical-e-news/the-wrag/#:~:text=The%20aim%20of%20this%20forum,series%20of%20questions%20and%20answers. BEMA download here https://www.beama.org.uk/resourceLibrary/beama---markings-and-symbols-for-circuit-protection-devices---august-2024.html Draft for public comment here https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/search?Term=BS+7671 IET webinar here https://events.theiet.org/events/live-launch-of-the-dpc-for-amendment-4-2026-to-bs-76712018-iet-wiring-regulations/ CEF/IET one here https://www.linkedin.com/posts/city-electrical-factors_techtalks-series-4-bs-7671-proposed-changes-activity-7226995560732397568-0ucs?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Covering the safe isolation super rod survey, EICR coding of unidirectional devices on bidirectional circuits, is there a skills shortage? Plus we catch up with what Richard, Craig and myself have been doing. We also discus Craigs idea to support lecturers directly around the UK (love this btw). Richard shares an exciting learning lounge and ESF link up and we answer a listeners question on the 2396 course. Super Rod survey is here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G6CD8WJ

We take a look at what Earthing and Bonding actually is and set out on a series to cover this and more! Also as its current we discuss the BS 7671 AMD3 Please get your comments in here https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2024-01247#/section IET webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WSqH9qatkI&pp=ygUDaWV0 CEF Tech talks AMD 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7eWUJoe5mI

Alex Robinson joins me to share his background, experiences and knowledge. Huge thanks to him for the time and chat, I loved it! We covered T levels, Options Skills, Apprenticeships, finding a job out of school, getting into teaching and loads more! Links mentioned in the recording below EAL with Kevin Sparrow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5hOOKngMYo&t=314s EAL FAQ on Options Skills https://eal.org.uk/news/faqs-for-learners-registered-for-eal-qualifications-by-options-skills-ltd Alex Robinson on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-robinson-cl-bse/ SkillELECTRIC https://www.skillelectric.org.uk/ T Level Technical Qualification in Building Services Engineering for Construction qualifications and training courses | City & Guilds https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/building-services-industry/electrical-installation/8710-t-level-technical-qualification-in-building-services-engineering-for-construction#tab=information

We delve into the collision between wiring standards and products standards. Looking at how electricians are faced with challenges in all areas. We also have a chat around the development of industry standards, the evolving technology out in industry. RCD testing and a chat about street based EV chargers running from domestic premises into public places. If you have questions for Alex next week on T levels or some topics to discuss around earthing and bonding please do drop them in below. Thanks to Richard and Craig as always for giving up time to come and chat. I loved this one and really enjoyed the chat.

We delve into the murky waters of T levels with a lecturer currently delivering them alongside his stand out colleagues. Andrew Duffen joins myself and Richard to discuss everything he has learned and developed through experience. Along with things that maybe need some tweaking. I hope very much the industry of things is listening to the likes of Andrew to develop and ensure these courses are a success for learners and wider industry. As mentioned in the podcast if you are an employer please do reach out to your local training providers and HELP. To contact Andrew you can find him on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-duffen-b0ab15189/ For further information on T levels you can look here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-t-levels/introduction-of-t-levels Massive thanks to Richard and Andrew. Without them podcasts like this wouldnt be a thing. I learned loads and I hope you did as well. Get involved in the comments!

What is going on in the training industry right now to become and electrician??? Matt Telford joins me to discuss his apprenticeship so far and our views on the wider training sector. Including the recent closure of Options Skills. Links to information from TESP is here https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-electrotechnical-skills-partnership-tesp/ The EAL form to complete here https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=HCImCwjAsUeUx1iguJdhzP8vrVFVuMpPqghoY6xUYV9UOE02NDhVOVNKWldPUEtEMjhSRjBWR05aOS4u The rogue trainers information here https://www.roguetrainers.co.uk/rogue-trainers-top-tips/ The administrators information here https://www.begbies-traynorgroup.com/ Please do follow all the advice and if we can help at Apprentice 121 we will.

Craig and Richard join me for a catch up of what has been going on. From Craig's huge project at Burgess Electrical and Ieng application to Richard presenting at Elex Ally Pally. The presentation by ESF from Richard and David went down really well and it was good to hear all about that and the pressure that comes with it! We are going to try take the show on the road for a look around Craig's project if the stars align and share the design files alongside it. As a look through a bigger project. Which at a personal level I am excited about, not just because I can be cameraman while Craig presents but because it looks interesting! We are also going to delve into earthing and bonding aimed at apprentice level onwards which will help me no end! I learn way more than I give on these. Huge thanks to the guys again for taking the time out here. Massively appreciated and as always loved it!

This episode is all things you need to know as a trainee in the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.

This episode is all business in the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.

This episode is all about further training in the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.