SELECT, the trading name of the Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland, was chosen in 1998 to illustrate the body's transition from a traditional trade body into a dynamic and proactive organisation which now helps to shape the market environment.
In both its current form and its previous incarnation, it has served the electrical contracting sector across Scotland for more than 100 years, making it - apart from the ancient trades - one of the oldest of the "modern" trade associations.
Based in the handsome Walled Garden at the Bush Estate in Midlothian, SELECT has from the beginning led industry standards and ensured that work carried out by member firms is of the highest quality, employs the most modern technology and is, above all, safe.
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By representing the industry to government, SELECT influences legislation to create industry conditions which enable member firms to provide a quality service to their clients and operate profitably at the same time.
Over the 10 years in which the organisation has been trading as SELECT, it has increased its membership roll from 500 companies to in excess of 1100. It can illustrate its commitment to the future of the industry in Scotland with the fact that, at any one time, its member firms are training around 2000 apprentices – more than any other industry in Scotland.
As well as its apprentice training, SELECT offers a comprehensive business development training programme covering safety and compliance, technical training, financial and commercial courses and management and personal skills.
The Walled Garden, a Scottish Qualifications Authority Approved Centre in its own right, also offers advice to members on human resources and employment law, technical issues, health, safety and compliance, and contractual and legal matters.
Corporate and personal benefits include a credit reference service, directory of members, documentation, welfare benefits, social activities, discounted insurance and access to export information and benchmarking.
Newell McGuinness, managing director of SELECT, said: "The last decade has been a time of exciting and constructive change within the organisation and we are confident that we have made a positive improvement in our service to members and our influence in the corridors of power.
"We are looking forward to the next 10 years of comparable growth and improvement. Our vision is to be at the centre of the building services sector for Scotland with SELECT as a relevant and meaningful focal point."
(GK/JM)
