Any spark qualifying on electrician courses over the next few months could find their finances under the close scrutiny of HMRC. In fact, contract electricians of all levels of experience could find their work and their income monitored very closely by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs over the coming year.
The ‘big push’ by HMRC has been taking place across the trades which are considered high risk industries for tax avoidance. This wave of intense scrutiny and bureaucracy is part of the government’s overall goal which is to cut back on benefit fraud, tax evasion and other ‘low-level’ financial crimes which cost the taxpayer millions of pounds every year.
Looking at the bigger picture, this move to closely monitor the earnings of those who have qualified on electrician courses is part of the country-wide austerity drive, aimed at reducing our deficit and minimising the need for cuts in essential areas such as health care and education.
Alongside tackling those qualified on electrician courses, HMRC have also been closely monitoring self-employed plumbers and other sole traders. According to those leading the campaign, the investigations will look closely at anyone who installs, maintains and tests electrical appliances and equipment.
The reason people will be monitored so closely after completing electrical courses is that electrical contractors working as sole traders are traditionally a little ‘foggy’ when it comes to income, figures and tax. Whether this is the result of dodgy accounting or simple forgetfulness is not clear – it may well be that qualified sparks who have taken all the requisite electrician courses have simply earned an unfair reputation.
Hopefully the ‘crackdown’ on those who have found work as self-employed sparks following electrician courses will show that the majority of those in the business are above board and legitimate.
If you would like to enjoy the freedom and lucrative wages of life as a self-employed electrician, speak to Access Training. We offer flexible, City & Guilds accredited electrician courses which will prepare you for life as an exceptional, passionate spark. Get in touch today on 0800 345 7492.
As you’re no doubt aware, electricians are highly skilled workers who must complete extensive electrician courses in order to learn the many technical skills required to conduct excellent electrical work. However, a number of large companies are attempting to slash pay for electricians, even those who have completed the very best electrician courses, by a whopping 35%.
The companies involved include Balfour Beatty, a company who employ thousands of sparks across the country and recruit extensively from electrician courses. These big bosses are attempting to tear up the Joint Industry Board (JIB) agreement which governs pay and terms of employment for electricians across the UK. They propose to replace JIB with the Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA) which could cause wages to be slashed by a third.
Many electricians and trainees studying on electrician courses across the country are attempting to implement national strike action to fight these changes after a number of smaller, independent strikes broke out this week in cities including Edinburgh, Cardiff, London, Manchester and Birmingham.
UNITE are deeply involved in the strike actions and support the sparks’ call for a halt to the changes. Blacklisted worker and Manchester Unite construction branch secretary Steve Acheson said: "The number one priority is beating BESNA and we will because we are relentless."
Pay is not the only change that electricians will need to accept if BESNA is implemented. Compared to JIB, BESNA allows for inferior working conditions and reduced job security. During a period of recession, high unemployment and soaring costs of living, it is no wonder that electricians are up in arms about these alterations which many believe to be illegal.
At Access Training we offer top electrician courses to provide sparks with the very best start in the business. Whilst the industry may change, the quality and flexibility of our electrician courses does not. No matter what the current climate might suggest, excellent electrical skills are always in demand, so ensure you are at the top of your game by enrolling on electrician courses with Access. To call to discuss our electrician courses ring 0800 345 7492 today.
Put the spark back into your career; Part P electrician courses are a fantastic way to add electrical work to your toolkit. Whether you’re a plumber, gas engineer, builder or landscape gardener by trade, Part P electrician courses can quickly qualify you to provide electrical work as part of your service. You’ll need to have completed Part P electrician courses if you intend to do electrical work in any of the following:
• Domestic areas (houses, apartments, flats etc.)
• Combined domestic and commercial areas (pubs, shops etc.)
• Common access areas and shared amenities in flats (excluding lifts)
• Outbuildings (sheds, garages etc.)
• Gardens
• Extensions and loft conversions
Of course, without taking Part P electrician courses you can do electrical work but, after you’ve completed it, you’ll need to notify Building Control, organise an inspection and have your work tested and certified. This could cost hundreds of pounds. Meanwhile, if you’re a tradesperson, Part P electrician courses can be claimed against your tax, rendering them free in many cases.
Part P electrician courses can really expand your horizons, and your bank balance! Many jobs that tradespeople carry out in domestic and commercial properties will involve the use of an electrician and, if you’re qualified to carry out electrical work yourself, you’ll be able to make a profit for yourself and a saving (of both time and money) for your client.
The Part P electrician courses offered by our experts at Access will equip you, in just two weeks, to safely and competently handle a number of common electrical repairs and installations. Whether you’re a plumber installing an electrical shower, or a landscape gardener looking to set up garden heaters or lighters, our Part P electrician courses can help you do just that, without the need for an electrician.
Earn more, save time and money and expand your business. Explore our Part P electrician courses today. For more information visit our Part P Course page or call 0800 345 7492 today.
Whether you’re just starting out on your career, or are looking to quit your current job and retrain, you'll be pleased to know that there are plenty of different types of electrician! Let's take a look... More...
The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) has reported that 1 in 5 fires in UK homes are caused by electrical installations. This worrying fact is something Access Training is now telling all the students on their electrician courses as a warning to the potentially fatal risks of lax workmanship.
The ESC has pinpointed landlords as a main area to target with their campaign for safer homes across the UK. The organisation believe that it is the vulnerable members of our society such as migrant workers who are most at risk to the danger of faulty electrical installations, as they are not as aware of the risks of coming into contact with faulty equipment. An important aspect of the electrician courses here at Access Training is to make students fully aware of the responsibility they carry.
Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs), which form an integral part of Access Training’s electrician courses, are a particular area which the Electrical Safety Council wishes to have thoroughly checked before further accidents occur. They have urged landlords to live up to and fully understand their legal responsibilities towards the individuals occupying their properties. They are urging tenants to ask for a Periodic Inspection Report from their landlord, which should be produced every five years. This process includes the testing of all sockets, wiring and light fittings throughout the property.
The electrician courses run by Access take the time to cover Periodic Inspection Reports extensively, paying particular attention to how and why the checks are conducted. The electrician courses cover exactly what you should be looking for in terms of damage and wear and tear, such as checking for damaged light fittings, signs of burning and loose sockets.
If you are interested in comprehensive, industry recognised electrician courses which teach you everything you need to know about Periodic Inspection Reports then contact Access Training today.