Luceco Group partners with SELECT to help support Scotland's next generation of electricians with Powering Potential Apprentice Initiative.

Luceco Group is proud to partner with SELECT to launch Powering Potential, a new £18,000 funding initiative that will help three small electrical businesses across Scotland with the cost of employing first-year apprentices, supporting their investment in the next generation of skilled electricians. 

The partnership with Scotland’s largest construction trade association will see three SELECT member firms receive grants to help support the cost of employing a first-year electrical installation apprentice. 

Announced at the SELECT President’s Lunch on Friday 25th September 2026, the initiative responds to growing concerns around the cost of apprentice recruitment and training. A recent SELECT survey found that high wage costs and low levels of employer funding are among the biggest barriers businesses face when recruiting apprentices. 

Through Powering Potential, Luceco Group and SELECT are providing practical support directly to electrical contractors, helping offset some of the costs associated with employing apprentices during their first year of training.

The inaugural recipients, representing the East, West and North of Scotland, are: 

  • East: V C Electrical, Gullane, supporting apprentice Reece Michie
  • West: T Walsh Contracts Ltd, Ayr, supporting apprentice Thomas Shirkie
  • North: A B Electrical Scotland Ltd, Aboyne, supporting apprentice Ritchie Pirie

Each company received its funding at The Balmoral in Edinburgh from SELECT President Darren Crockett and Ian Hunter, UK Trade Sales Director at Luceco Group. The apprentices will also receive a toolkit, workwear and a selection of electrical products supplied by Luceco Group to support them as they begin their careers in the electrical industry.

 

Ian Hunter said:

“As someone who started my own career as an apprentice, I know first-hand the opportunities that apprenticeship training can create.

“Luceco is proud to support this initiative because we recognise the pressures many employers face when investing in new talent. Supporting apprentices is an investment in the future of our industry and a way of giving something back to the contractors who support our business every day. 

 

“We hope this financial support will help remove barriers, create opportunities and encourage more young people to pursue successful careers in the electrical sector.” 

Sharon Miller, Managing Director of SELECT, said:

“We are extremely grateful to Luceco Group for helping us make this meaningful investment in the future of our sector. 

“Employers continue to tell us that rising costs are making it increasingly difficult to recruit apprentices, particularly during the first year when they spend significant periods at college, so this partnership is a practical example of industry coming together to find solutions. 

 

“However, while this funding will make a difference to these three SELECT members it is only a fraction of what is needed and is not a replacement for proper funding across the board. If Scotland is serious about addressing skills shortages and growing the workforce of the future, increased support for apprenticeships from government remains essential.” 

Developed with support from the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), the Powering Potential recipients were selected from SMEs and longstanding SELECT member firms with a proven track record of recruiting and developing apprentices. 

The funding has been specifically designed to help employers meet wage costs while first-year apprentices attend college as part of their training, reducing one of the key financial pressures associated with apprentice recruitment. 

The support will also extend beyond funding. The three apprentices will be invited to visit Luceco Group’s headquarters in Telford, giving them an opportunity to learn more about the wider electrical industry and gain first-hand insight into manufacturing, product development and the electrical supply chain. 

The visit will introduce the apprentices to Luceco Group and its portfolio of trusted electrical brands, while providing an insight into the people, technologies and processes involved in bringing electrical products from initial development through to the installer. 

V C Electrical owner Val Chisholm said:

“Running a business can feel quite lonely at times, so having this support and recognition from the industry means a lot and feels like a reward for the years of hard work, commitment and dedication that have gone into building the business. A big thank you to SELECT and Luceco Group for this support – it’s great to see the industry showing such a strong commitment to investing in the next generation.”

V C apprentice Reece Michie, 18, added:

“I am looking forward to gaining practical experience on site, learning from qualified electricians, developing new skills and working towards becoming a fully qualified electrician.”

T Walsh Contracts Ltd owner Tony Walsh said:

“The cost of taking on an apprentice is massive – in the first year they are in college for 17 weeks, which can make it unaffordable for some small businesses. In the current economic climate, any support is important and very much appreciated so I am extremely grateful for this funding. I feel strongly about the importance of taking on apprentices and this means a lot.”

T Walsh apprentice Thomas Shirkie, 19, added:

“I’ve wanted to be an electrician since doing work experience at school. My long-term ambitions are now to get my qualifications and to be a professional producing high-quality work.”

A B Electrical Scotland Ltd owner Allan Beveridge Snr said:

“This funding is an extremely welcome boost as it definitely feels like it’s becoming a tighter climate for electricians lately. It also feels like recognition for taking apprentices through their careers. There don’t seem to be as many apprentices on-site these days so need to do something to ensure we don’t end up with a shortage of qualified tradespeople.”

A B apprentice Ritchie Pirie, 17, said:

“I’ve always wanted to be an electrician. I was supposed to start with another company last year but it didn’t happen so I’m excited to have this second chance.”

Powering Potential reflects Luceco Group and SELECT’s shared commitment to supporting the electrical industry and the people who will shape its future. By providing practical support to employers and creating opportunities for apprentices at the start of their careers, the partnership aims to help strengthen the skills pipeline and encourage continued investment in the next generation of electricians.