The search is now on to find the country’s top apprentices and apprenticeship employers.

The Awards, run by the National Apprenticeship Service, are now open for entries to compete to be named ‘the best of the best’ on a regional and national level.Skills and enterprise Minister, Matthew Hancock said: “Apprenticeships are vital because they encourage ambition, help individuals develop fulfilling careers, drive competitiveness and fuel economic growth.“The National Apprenticeship Awards are a real opportunity for employers and individuals to gain the recognition they richly deserve for their commitment to Apprenticeships, and the hugely positive example they set for other individuals and organisations to follow.”

Short shrift

The Disney Corporation does not like being associated with gas fracking. That is undeniably true. How do I know? Because I have seen how it has reacted in that ultimate in politically marginal US states, Ohio, to the prospect of being bracketed with those who promote fracking. It has told its subsidiary, Radio Disney, to quit a roadshow it was running , aimed at 8 to 10 year olds. Despite being called ‘Rocking in Ohio’, the events had nothing to do with music. But rather was a series of events funded by the Ohio Oil & Gas Association, designed subliminally to tell the children how deeply benevolent is the idea of fracking the night away in their state.

Napit and Certsure (which operates the Elecsa and NICEIC brands) this week took the next step in providing a single point of reference for consumers seeking an electrician. The organisation will create on easily identifiable mark for full scope Part P registered electricians, easily recognisable by consumers and supported by a single register.

12 months ago Certsure and Napit created separate registers to promote the use of competent, registered electricians to consumers. The intention of both organisations was to help simplify the market and raise public awareness about the dangers of sub-standard electrical repairs and installations.

The BBC this week reported on calls by Karl Koehler, head of Tata Steel's operations in Europe, for the government to help heavy industries deal with the burden of energy costs.

The businessman said government ministers needed to support businesses that form the "foundation industries" - including chemicals and metal based manufacturers.

Koehler quoted a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), claiming these companies had nearly half a million UK employees and accounted for 30% of export and imports, as well as "forming a key part in any rebalancing strategy for the economy".

On 3 April Electrical Review will be holding its second PowerOn briefing for the data centre market, an area that is looking at enormous growth.

One topic raised at the last event was the shortage of young people entering the data centre sector or even being aware of the opportunities the area offers.

While organisations like the Data Centre Alliance (DCA) are attempting to tackle the problem with the launch of a boot camp, it is vital universities and schools raise the profile of a career in the data centre, be that in IT, business development or even wiring.

The subject is one close to the heart of Adelle Desouza business marketing executive at Enlogic, a company that specialises in power for the data centre.

Click here to read a blog Adelle has written for Computer Weekly.

Welcome to the final Electrical Review newsletter of 2013.

This year has seen many exciting new projects for the magazine including webinars, supplements and the first PowerOn briefing on energy efficiency in the data centre. We have another PowerOn briefing planned for April 2014 and would be pleased to hear from anyone interested in being a speaker. Keep an eye on the Electrical Review website for further details.

It only remains for me to wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas on behalf of everyone at Electrical Review! We look forward to working with you throughout 2014.

No invitation
Stephen Lovegrove was the third choice to become permanent secretary at the Department of Energy and Climate Change. My devoted readers will recall how the prime minister rejected previous candidates proposed by the Civil Service selection board, and by energy secretary Ed Davey. His predecessor, Moira Wallace, having resigned ostensibly voluntarily, not only received a £1/2 million golden parachute; she was also found a sinecure as Provost of Oriel College, Oxford.

Electrical Review recently hosted a webinar in association with NICEIC and Elecsa. The briefing, chaired by Richard Pagett, head of external affairs and communications for Certsure, looked at changes in Part P and electrical safety in the home.

The Department for Communities and Local Government – after a long consultation with industry and contractors – amended and updated Part P of the Building Regulations earlier in 2013. Paul Collins, head of operations, NICEIC and Elecsa, and Phil Buckle, director general of the Electrical Safety Council took attendees through the key changes, looked at why electrical safety in the home is still an important issue, discussed the future of the industry and took a fresh look at NICEIC and Elecsa.

Electrical Review readers who missed the webinar can still access it by clicking here.

7 November saw Electrical Review's first PowerOn briefing at Glaziers Hall in London, organised in association with Eaton, Schneider Electric and Geist and focusing on energy efficiency in the data centre.

The day was a resounding success with presentations from Prof Ian Bitterlin of Emerson Network Power, Eddie DeSouza of Enlogic, Leo Craig of Riello UPS, Amit Singala from on365, Erika Wilson of Wilson Power Solutions and Jonas Caino of Geist Global.

Presentations explored all areas of this sector including UPS systems, renewable energy in the data centre, the use of transformers and how data centre managers can take charge of their energy management to safeguard both the future of their business and the next generation.

Copies of the presentations are available here.

Keep an eye out for details of the next PowerOn briefing from the Electrical Review team - due to take place at the end of March 2014. Please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to discuss speaking opportunities or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for sponsorship information.

Think again

Did you think all the people working on electricity policy at the Department of Energy and Climate Change were civil servants? That each is paid for by the public purse, and is working selflessly in the public interest?

If so, think again. In fact over the past five years there have been no less than four members of DECC staff who have been working there full time. But none of them were present at the taxpayers’ expense.

In association with Eaton and Schneider Electric, Electrical Review invites you to attend an upcoming, free, half-day seminar focusing on all aspects of power transmission and distribution in the data centre environment.

The programme aims to inform delegates how to best maximise energy efficiency in these areas and implement the right infrastructure to complement the evolution of the data centre.

The seminar will take place on 7 November 2013 from 8.30am-1pm at Glaziers Hall in London.
Hear from Schneider Electric, Emerson Network Power, Enlogic, Wilson Power Solutions, Riello, Geist and more.

In association with Eaton and Schneider Electric, Electrical Review invites you to attend an upcoming, FREE, half-day seminar focusing on all aspects of power transmission and distribution in the data centre environment.

Click here to register for this free half-day seminar.

View the micro site and conference agenda here

The programme aims to inform delegates how to best maximise energy efficiency in these areas and implement the right infrastructure to complement the evolution of the data centre.

The seminar will take place on 7 November 2013 from 8.30am-1pm at Glaziers Hall in London.

Hear from Eaton Electric,Schneider Electric, Emerson Network Power, Enlogic, Wilson Power Solutions, Riello  and more.