Managing Director Frank Bertie reflects on NAPIT’s achievements in 2024 and discusses the opportunities and challenges moving forward into 2025.
Over the years I have seen NAPIT go from strength to strength and 2024 was no exception. It has been great to step into the role of Managing Director and lead NAPIT forward after Mike Andrews took on the role of Divisional Managing Director for UK and Ireland Compliance and Certification Division within Phenna Group.
This move has seen Mike lead the division in which NAPIT are an integral part of the Phenna Group. NAPIT has remained dedicated to serving our members and committed to enhancing safety standards across the sector.
During 2024, we welcomed the positive approach of the new Labour government’s willingness to engage with industry to bring forward plans to meet the UK’s Net Zero targets.
Low-carbon and renewable technologies are key to achieving clean energy by 2030, and to meet the needs of a greener future organisations such as NAPIT and its members will be an integral part.
As well as achieving net zero, the government have introduced an ambitious target to ‘get Britain building’ with 1.5 million new homes due to be constructed over the next five years.
We welcome the government’s plan to ‘get Britain building,’ but it is essential that these homes are built using renewable technology to prevent the need for more costly retrofits at a later date and it should be installed by competent skilled and qualified workers.
NAPIT and its members will play a key role in ensuring that there are competent and qualified installers to install renewable technologies.
Last year we saw the electrical industry advance rapidly especially with the growth in renewable technologies, proposed regulations, and new policies.
The draft for public comment opened for Amendment 4, which will shape the industry regulations and is expected to be published in 2026.
This Amendment will have a significant impact on NAPIT, and we will continue to update members on the proposed changes through our technical webinars during 2025.
The commitment to enhancing the standards of safety across the sector remains a huge focus at NAPIT. This can be seen through our support of the Super Rod Safe Isolation Survey and the ETT NI Ending Shock Silence Report, which both highlighted some very unsettling results.
We were pleased to see the Department for Business and Trade act with the new campaign, ‘Buy Safe, Be Safe’ which was launched to address purchasing unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters. A huge concern is consumers buying unregulated and unsafe products online which may contain faulty lithium-ion batteries.
We look forward to more action being taken by government and industry to address this including in the new Product Regulation and Metrology Bill progressing throughout parliament. NAPIT will continue to back these campaigns to ensure improved electrical safety remains at the top of the agenda.
NAPIT is proud to have continued to support colleges and students on their learning journey. Last year we visited colleges and training centres across the country providing them expert technical support and resources and this will be another priority this year as we ensure the next generation of electricians and installers are properly trained and available to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the transition to Net Zero.
Last year we saw an increased demand for our training rigs among these educational centres which are a great benefit with the practical and theoretical aspects of training. This year NAPIT Foundation will continue to give young people the opportunity to thrive, develop their knowledge and enhance their skills.
Every year there is an astounding effort from all the staff when it comes to fundraising for charity. Last year we focused our fundraising efforts in support of Young Lives vs Cancer. Our team raised funds by taking part in a sponsored 27km walk at Lady Bower Reservoir, bake-off, Festive Fun Day, and Annual lunch. This year our chosen charity is The Samaritans and I’m sure our staff will dig deep again and show their support.
Last year NAPIT took part in nine successful events, with six shows at the NAPIT EXPO Zone at Elex, the Installer Show, Solar and Storage Live, and ETT Stay Connected. With opportunities for CPD, industry presentations from our technical team and keeping contractors informed of regulatory changes, it has been great to meet with and support NAPIT members and visitors.
Our team thoroughly enjoyed members taking on the NAPIT terminator challenge and getting involved. We look forward to this year’s NAPIT EXPO at ELEX events.
2024 also saw the launch of our latest NAPIT publication, NAPIT Practical Guide: Solar Photovoltaic Systems as well as the development to NAPIT FastTest which now includes certificates for renewable technologies.
2025 is expected to bring us more details on the building safety regulator review, the government response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations and introduction of the legalisation on the Future Homes Standards.
Looking ahead, NAPIT and its team of dedicated staff will remain focused on driving up competence, safety and quality standards for the benefit of our members, householders and businesses across the UK.