Trade body issues urgent call to action in manifesto for 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections to create a stronger sector and safer society
Scotland’s largest construction trade association, SELECT, has issued an urgent three-point plan for action as part of its manifesto for next year’s Scottish Parliamentary elections.
The campaigning body, which represents electrotechnical business who between them employ 19,000 electricians across Scotland, is urging all political parties to work with it to secure a safer society, stronger industry and successful transition to net zero.
Launched at the association’s recent AGM (Thursday 5 June), the manifesto is calling for action in three key areas:
- A properly regulated electrotechnical profession – to improve safety, standards and public trust.
- A future-proofed net zero skills strategy – to ensure a stronger and fairer electrical profession.
- A sector fully enabled to drive the renewables transformation – to ensure a greener, more resilient Scotland.
Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “Scotland stands at a historic crossroads. As we transition to a low-carbon economy, our nation’s future depends on a safe, skilled and strategically empowered electrotechnical workforce.
“As the world’s oldest electrical trade association, and the body that represents the electrotechnical contractors of Scotland, SELECT calls upon policymakers to support a bold new vision that will enable us to power progress together.
“This is a moment when our political representatives can seize the initiative and bring in the measures for which we have been campaigning for many years in the long-term interests of all the people of Scotland.”
On regulation, SELECT is calling on the next Scottish Government to legislate for statutory protection of title, so only those who meet nationally recognised qualifications should be allowed to use the title ‘electrician’.
On skills, the association wants politicians to commit to a just transition for the electrotechnical workforce by offering accessible and lifelong learning, expanded, modernised and future-proofed apprenticeships and additional support for SME contractors.
On renewables, SELECT is calling for any government to put electricians at the heart of its energy strategy, recognising the electrotechnical sector as essential infrastructure for net zero and local energy resilience and empowering electricians to lead in energy projects.
SELECT President Mike Stark said: “Scotland’s net zero goals depend on new technologies such as heat pumps, EV charging, smart grids and energy storage, which must be installed and maintained by competent, properly-trained and future-ready professionals.
“In addition, Scotland’s vast renewable energy potential, from offshore wind to domestic solar, also requires a national electrotechnical workforce capable of turning potential into power and trusted Scottish businesses.
“By introducing these measures, public safety, consumer protection and professional pride will all be strengthened, lives will be saved and money currently used to fix poor work will be used in a better way.”