Have you ever wondered what the industry's influential figures have on their desk? From poetry anthologies to JIB Certificates, you can tell a lot about a person by their desk. This is why Voltimum's roving reporter, Frankie Snobel, scoped out the desk of ECA Head of Education and Training, Iain Macdonald.
From specialist police officer to leading the ECA’s Education and Training department, this committed industry leader is developing and promoting electrotechnical training and qualifications and tackling the industry’s skills shortage.
Iain was born in Fife, Scotland, and raised in Hertfordshire. With his keen interest in history and the fine arts, Iain earned a Modern History and Applied Economics Degree from the University of Stirling and became President of the University Dramatic Society, as well as using his extracurricular time to work in the MacRobert theatre complex, learning about stagecraft and working as an Assistant Stage Manager.
Whilst waiting to join the Metropolitan Police Service, Iain worked for Securicor as a bodyguard and cash guard. After a two-year probationary period as a police constable, Iain went on to a number of specialist postings. Following fifteen years of tough but rewarding work during which he was twice commended for bravery, Iain was posted to the Metropolitan Police Training School at Hendon to develop training and teach both police recruits and police trainers. To do so, he had to qualify as a teacher, so undertook a post-graduate teaching qualification and NVQ assessor qualifications “People of all different backgrounds came together to become officers,” said Iain. “My job was to mould the group into a unit of competent police officers through a very demanding and emotionally draining course.” Eventually feeling he had come full circle, Iain decided it was time to move on. “I had a Mary Poppins moment,” said Iain. “The kids were happy and I was done there”.
Iain decided to leave the police and develop his career elsewhere, so then brought his training expertise to his next position, ECA Education and Training Manager, where he quickly became ECA Head of Education and Training. “The ECA had confidence in me and I had some good mentors”, said Iain. Since joining the ECA, Iain has brought them a voice in training and skills development, becoming a driving force to bring about change. Said Iain: “We have to provide a beacon of excellence that adds value to the ECA and to the industry, demonstrating the ECA’s commitment to represent the best in electrical engineering and building services.”
1. Incentives and Barriers to Training in the Electrotechnical Industry: The ECA commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) to conduct research to gain a better understanding of training practice and attitudes that currently exists within the electrical installation industry. This publication discusses and analyzes the data collected. “This research now forms a plank of ECA development in relation to skills and training,” said Iain.
2. ECA Corporate Plan (2008-2011): The research gathered from “Incentives and Barriers to Training in the Electrotechnical Industry” is partly reflected in the corporate plan. ECA Education and Training has used the research to develop their objectives. “This is what I am trying to deliver on,” said Iain.
3. Glyndebourne on Tour 2008: Iain is a huge fan of opera, having been introduced to it whilst at university around 25 years ago. He recently thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Magic Flute’ and ‘Carmen’ productions presented by the Glyndebourne on Tour Opera Company. “Fine music, theatre and a sense of occasion – it’s pure magic when it all comes together,” said Iain.
4. Other Men’s Flowers: This anthology of poetry, selected and annotated by A. P. Wavell, is near and dear to Iain. When they graduated, he was given this book by a class of his police recruits “It provokes strong emotions I’m afraid – that’s the power of poetry,” said Iain.
5. The Naming of the Dead: Iain is in the midst of reading this best-selling novel by acclaimed criminal author, Ian Rankin. He is a big fan of the Inspector Rebus character.
6. Stress ball: Shaped to look like the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, this squishy stress ball is on hand for those tough days.
7. ECA Short Course Program: Offering a wide choice to members and non-members, alike, the short courses offered by the ECA are fully accredited by awarding bodies and professional institutions and are “still going strong in 2009.”
8. New Training Pathways – Fire Detection and Alarm Systems: The ECA along with the Fire and Security Association (FSA) have developed an innovative and extensive programme of learning. “The demand for this is phenomenal,” said Iain. “Fire systems engineers have never had a dedicated training structure – the industry needs this”.
9. Skill M&E Document: The ECA is a premier sponsor for SkillELECTRIC, a competition that involves a series of practical tests based on real-life work, which will demonstrate abilities and highlight outstanding skills in the industry. Organised by the industry’s Sector Skills Council, SummitSkills, SkillELECTRIC is part of Skill M&E, which consists of four skills competitions that search for the best mechanical and electrical engineers from the building services engineering sector.
10. AM2/FICA Centre Conference 2008 Program Pack: This September conference focused on the AM2 and FICA - important electrotechnical final competency assessments. Iain explains that these practical competency qualifications are “integral to the industry” and they reinforce into the industry’s skills agenda. Iain is Chief Executive of National Electrotechnical Training (NET), which owns the AM2 and FICA qualification and is a registered charity within the industry. The ECA, along with SELECT and UNITE, are also stakeholders in NET.
11. JIB Certificate: This document confirms that the holder has successfully passed the ECS Health and Safety Assessment. Electrical professionals can’t get their ECS Card until they have passed the health and safety element. Every year, Iain’s team administers approximately 60% of the total ECS H&S tests for the industry.
12. JIB Modernisation Team – Minutes from last meeting: Iain and the ECA are pleased to be working with the JIB to help develop their ability to deliver valuable services to the industry. The minutes from the last meeting discuss JIB developments, objectives and budgeting.
13. ECA Training Fund: Found at www.eca.co.uk/funding. Last year, the ECA launched a £10 million pound Training Fund, to give grants to ECA members to participate in training courses or programmes, which the Association believes will help tackle skills shortages in identified areas of the industry. The Fund will be reviewed regularly, and a new, broader Training Fund for 2009 has recently opened for applications.
15. Letter Opener: The administration manager of the ECA’s Education and Training department, a friend and colleague of Iain’s, brought this back from Turkey as a gift.
16. Joss Stone CD: Iain likes listening to artists who have real and interesting voices. “Manufactured music leaves me cold. I like music from people who don’t need a production team,” said Iain.
17. Mozart CD: Iain is a fan of classical music, including music from legendary composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
18. Paris After Dark CD: A collection of 1920s-1950s French music that evokes a period in French history that Iain (a history buff) is quite fond of. “Music, poetry and history blends together,” said Iain.
19. Fountain Pens: One a gift from Iain’s wife, given to him upon his shift from police operations to training school, the other a gift from colleagues at the MPS training school.