Another Stardust ‘imminent’ over unqualified electricians
The newly formed National Electrical Contractors Ireland (NECI) claimed the quality and standards previously expected from electricians is now seen as secondary to the bottom line on a tender or quotation.
According to Denis Judge of NECI, the situation is leaving potentially very dangerous and shoddy installation in its wake.
Speaking in Irish Electrical Review, he said poor practice had become prevalent during the Celtic Tiger with developers trying to get developments finished quickly and sold to move on to more and more profit.
Mr Judge said FÁS is taking in too many apprentice electricians per year allowing electrical contractors/sub-contractors easy availability of cheap workers.
He said the contractors then let the apprentices go when they become expensive to employ, flooding the industry with half-trained and inexperienced electricians.
Mr Judge called for an umbrella association which would monitor the situation nationally and ensure comprehensive standards were taught and expected.
“There is a very poor standard and quality of electrical work being carried out at the moment and is getting worse as the construction industry starts to slow down.
“Nobody wants another Stardust disaster on this island but I am afraid it is imminent and its root cause will be poor electrical workmanship and standards. This time it will be a hotel or apartment building,” he said.
