T Clarke has been providing a flow of home-trained operatives for some 117 years. We take on school leavers each year and also provide opportunities to more mature people to become adult trainees.

A survey has found that only 6% of the public have heard about Part P of the Building Regulations and how it applies to domestic installations.

Schneider Electric brand Telemecanique has launched a new gateway within its FactoryCast range of web-enabled products.

Hager’s relaunched Klik lighting support coupler includes new features for easier installation at height.

Safe switching

Unitek Power Systems has introduced its range of UPS products to the UK market.

In hot water

Smart solution

The use of services modules designed and prefabricated off site by MEP Solutions on a new office development for BSkyB has reduced installation time by 50%.

Omega Red Group is ensuring the electrical protection of Liverpool’s £900 million Paradise Street development.

Reach for the sky: The 170-m high Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth has been brought to life with power projectors and floodlights from Sill Lighting.

The University of Aberdeen is committing to a sustainable future with the installation of a low temperature hot water system with combined heat and power (chp) plant.

Although a European standard for security alarm installations exists, its implementation in the UK is not without pitfalls for the installer. Ian Holland explains the background and offers advice on how to avoid confusion.

A future-proof cabling system delivering voice, data and live television feeds to nearly 6000 outlets is no straightforward installation. Andrew Emmerson visits the Government Office for the West Midlands in Birmingham.

Martin Wade brings us up to speed on the ins and outs of liquidated and ascertained damages.

Don’t be left behind as the industry looks for solutions to environmental issues. Paul Reeve reports on an ECA workshop that aimed to give delegates the green light.

Welcome to our regular series of Mid Career College CPD modules, brought to you by Electrical & Mechanical Contractor. The range of topics is carefully chosen to help you broaden your knowledge while you work. This module covers electronic solutions for enhanced gas safety in education buildings and is sponsored by Medem.

In the latest issue you used the headline ‘IEE and IIE members vote to merge’ (EMC, November, 2005, p7). Sorry to pick you up on this, but it is not a merger. It is the formation of a new professional institution.

It’s fair to say that m&e contractors are not known for losing sleep over environmental concerns. They may forfeit a couple of hours’ shut-eye worrying about whether or not they are going to get paid those long overdue retention monies, but sustainability? What’s that?

The much maligned implementation of the Construction Industry Scheme is to be postponed until 2007, following ECA lobbying and cross-industry outcry.

Employer Lorimer Electrical and client Primex Plastics have both been fined following the death of an electrician. The deceased was servicing light fittings in the client’s factory when he fell five metres from a ladder, which was later found to be defective.

Changes to Part L of the Building Regulations that set maximum CO2 emissions for all types of building, will come into force in April 2006. The ECA welcomes the publication of the revised Part L, which contains within it many of the Association’s suggestions on the original consultation paper drafted last year.

Increased collaboration and convergence is becoming a key feature of the m&e sector, as trade associations work together for the benefit of their particular members and the sector as a whole.

NG Bailey’s new Mechanical Craft Training Centre was opened by Alun Michael, minister of state for industry and the regions, on 4 November.

Electricians are amongst the most reliable tradespeople in Greater London, according to a recent survey carried out by the ECA.

The ECA is running a two-day course covering the requirements of air conditioning systems and their effective and efficient control.

The regeneration of a Manchester housing estate includes the installation of a new district heating scheme. How did Powerminster keep services up and running for tenants?

The NICEIC’s charitable consumer protection division has been renamed and relaunched as the Electrical Safety Council to strengthen its role.

Fagerhult AB of Sweden has acquired Whitecroft Lighting for an undisclosed sum.

SES has completed the m&e services on the first of three PFI schools in the north east.

The HSC has published a consultative document seeking comments on proposed amendments to its asbestos regulations and an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP).

The only example in the north east, has been given a new lease of life by contractor Bartram Walker and Lighting Design & Consultancy.

The Gores Group, a privately held investment firm specialising in the technology, telecommunications and business services sectors, has acquired Brand-Rex from Honeywell International for an undisclosed sum.

The construction industry enjoyed continued growth during the third quarter and remains positive about prospects for the coming 12 months.

Minister of State for Energy, Malcolm Wicks, has announced a £30 million funding package over three years for the Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP).

The PFI has come under attack as a way of building hospitals in a report from the NHS Confederation.

A 100-year life cycle and low energy use were key to the construction of the new Welsh Assembly building. Alison Luke finds out how the team met the quality and environmental requirements.

As BEAMA celebrates its centenary, we join chief executive Dave Dossett in a typical week as he tackles counterfeiters, briefs Seb Coe and dines at Mirabelle’s – always with an eye on the Hammers.

Early this year we met two electrical apprentices employed by m&e contractor T Clarke under the JTL Advanced Apprenticeship scheme. Alison Luke checks on their progress and hears of their very different ambitions for the future.

Building materials firm Wolseley has purchased plumbing, heating and electrical supplier William Wilson for £81 million. The acquisition follows Wolseley’s strategy of expanding its European distribution operations into related construction materials.

Statistics announced by the HSE show good progress throughout the construction industry in its drive to reduce the rate of fatal and major injuries but it is yet to meet 2001 Construction Summit targets.

Trade organisations have been awarded TrustMark licences as approved scheme operators in the government’s new consumer protection initiative: a move that sees 10 000 firms registered ready for a January start date.