Mike Stark explains how modern sparkies could learn a thing or two from the long and fascinating history of SELECT, which is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary as the world’s first electrical trade association
In order to look forward and plan efficiently, it is often prudent to look back and consider how the voices of the past can inform and influence the direction of the future.
This strategy would seem particularly prudent as SELECT currently celebrates its 125th year empowering electricians and electrical businesses across Scotland.
As part of its celebrations, the association is preparing to publish an in-depth timeline which traces its roots back to the turn of the 20th century.
As well as representing a mammoth task of research, this fascinating look back at our history uncovers a recurring theme that is still just as relevant – the ambition of the electrical industry in Scotland to keep its customers and wider society safe.
Although much has changed along the way, there is plenty we can learn from the past as modern electricians still face many of the same issues raised by their forebears – not least a lack of skilled labour, late payments and, sadly, unqualified and dangerous tradespeople.
The world’s first electrical trade association pre-dates the 20th century
Our institution came into being when contactors in Glasgow, faced by the encroachment of untrained competition, formed the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland in November 1900 and in doing so, became the world’s first body for the electrical sector.
The association quickly flourished, attracting 250 member companies and expanding across Scotland as separate branches were established in the following years. Annual subscription was two guineas: equivalent to £200 today.
By 1917, it was facing for the first time an issue which is still at the forefront of our activities – the need for the registration of electrical businesses to ensure quality and the highest safety standards.
As the timeline reveals, the association’s request for regulation was declined by the UK government, which said that “winning the war was its main concern”.
Undeterred, it formed a Propaganda Committee in 1924 to make sure its voice was heard in the corridors of power and continued to raise its profile throughout the 1930s with activities such as discounting electric lamps for collieries and supplying the lighting for the six-month Empire Exhibition in Glasgow in 1938.
In 1939, as the clouds of war gathered once again, the association returned to parliament to plead the issue of compulsory registration to keep the public safe from rogue operators – but, once again, its appeal was dismissed on the grounds of lack of parliamentary time.
More than 80 years later, after a name change and much economic and societal upheaval, the issue of regulation still shines as brightly as ever, and SELECT will continue to lead the campaign for protection of title as our timeline extends long after the 125th party is over.
SELECT has responded to several historical events over the last 125 years
As well as reflecting on our ongoing crusade for regulation, we will also take time to look back and mark other significant milestones in our history, including:
- The contribution of the association and its members during World War II, with many men joining the hostilities and others contributing in other ways, such as installing heat and light in air raid shelters, taking holidays at harvest time to assist farmers and launching the first official apprenticeship scheme.
- The half-century celebrations in 1950 saw the association awarded a heraldic crest by the Lord Lyon King of Arms with the motto “Weel bodin’ for weal”, which means “Working for the Common Good” – a sentiment which still runs through SELECT.
- Broadening its horizons in 1963 to join the Association Internationale des entreprises d’équipement Électrique (AIE) – now EuropeOn – to share useful information and best practices with fellow electrical contractors from across Europe.
- Joining forces with Amicus – now Unite the Union – in 1969 to create the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), establishing today’s familiar “grading” structure, and going on to play a key role in the industry, including regulating relations between employers and employees and overseeing employment, skill and proficiency levels, health and safety competence and wages and welfare benefits.
- The creation of the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum in 2020, which not only shared advice and information but also helped create a new collaborative and collegiate working environment across the totality of the construction sector
There is no doubt that this year will one of celebration for SELECT, but the association’s focus will remain where it always has been – on the interests of its members and the safety of their customers and wider society.
A full version of the SELECT timeline will be published on 17 February and will be available to download for free from www.select.org.uk
