The Electrical Show

Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan explore whether electricians should have their own compulsory accreditation scheme, following SELECT’s campaign in Scotland to protect the title of electrician.

They’re joined by plumbing and heating industry expert Jimmy Hendry to discuss how Gas Safe works in practice, how engineers are vetted, the benefits and frustrations of the system, and what reforms might be needed.

Thomas and Paul debate what a register of competency could look like in the electrical sector, whether it would genuinely tackle poor workmanship, and what a good or bad version of the scheme might mean for contractors.

Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by Neil Claxton, the Scottish electrician recently named Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2026, to find out what sets the very best tradespeople apart.

They discuss the skills, attitude, professionalism and work ethic that can take an electrician from simply getting by to becoming one of the best in the business. 

Thomas and Paul debate who else in the electrical and wider construction industry deserves recognition — and whether industry awards should be about technical ability alone, or also recognise customer service, helping others and running a great business.

Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by Keith Sanderson, Head of Education and Skills at the ECA, to discuss the challenges facing apprentices, employers and colleges.

They look at the shortage of work placements, the quality of college training, rogue training providers and how competency standards could be improved.

They also look into whether the electrical industry needs a licensing system similar to the Gas Safe Register, how to encourage more mature students into the trade, and what needs to change to get more electrical contractors taking on apprentices.

Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan explore the booming opportunities for electricians in the UK’s data centre expansion - and ask the big question: would you move for work?

They’ll discuss the growing demand for skilled electricians, whether domestic sparks could move into commercial data centre work, the skills and qualifications needed, and whether the money and opportunities are enough to tempt electricians away from home.

They’re joined by Danny Webb from Alpha Tech Group and Nathan Sheridan from JS Electrical NE LTD to get their perspectives on the opportunities, skills and challenges around data centres - and whether they’d move for the right opportunity.

Thomas and Paul also put the question to each other: is the data centre boom a genuine opportunity for electricians, and what would it take to attract experienced sparks into the sector?

Would you move for work - and is the data centre boom the next big opportunity for electricians?

Thomas Nagy flies solo for a Q&A featuring questions from listeners. Thomas tackles juicy questions about pricing, hiring, training and the future of the industry, reflects on his contracting journey and answers some controversial questions along the way!

Thomas Nagy is joined in the studio by 28-year-old electrical contractor Callum Biscoe from C&B Electrical Contractors Ltd.

Callum talks Thomas through his journey into the electrical trade, his experiences qualifying, the people who helped him along the way and what he wishes he’d been taught when he was training.

He also reveals how he built his business, the lessons he’s learned as a business owner and how he grew into taking on medical and education-based electrical contracts.

Thomas and Callum also discuss managing staff, the challenges and opportunities of commercial work, why Callum has moved away from taking on as much Solar PV work, and what the future holds for his business.

Paul Meenan puts electrician Mark Pink and his 16-year-old apprentice son Teddy to the test with a series of real-world electrical trade dilemmas.

From dealing with unsafe work and difficult customers to site banter, pricing jobs, buying tools and investing in training, Teddy gives his answers first before Mark draws on his years of experience to explain what he would do.

Paul Meenan is joined by electrician and site agent Mark Pink and his 16-year-old son Teddy, who is beginning his apprenticeship journey and following the family into the electrical trade.

From the traditional methods and experiences of Teddy’s grandad, through Mark’s career in the industry and working around the world, to Teddy taking his first steps into the trade.

Mark reflects on how much the electrical industry has changed, what has improved and what may have become unnecessarily complicated, while Teddy explains why he has chosen the trade, what he’s looking forward to and what makes him nervous about starting out.

Paul also looks ahead to the next 20 years and considers how technology, automation, renewables, battery storage, smart technology and AI could transform the work of electricians — and what Teddy’s career might eventually look like as a result of all of that.

Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined once again by fire safety consultant Dan Jackson to discuss one of the most important responsibilities for electrical contractors: understanding and maintaining the fire integrity of the buildings they work in.

Paul asks Dan for his thoughts on the fire safety guidance within the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, what could change in future editions and the key things electricians need to understand when working on buildings where fire integrity could be compromised.

The conversation also looks ahead to the impact of plug-in solar, battery storage and emerging technologies, and asks where fire safety standards could be heading in the future.

Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by fire safety expert Dan Jackson to debate whether the way standards are applied on construction projects can sometimes create unnecessary costs, delays and setbacks.

They’re also joined by Dan Rossiter, Head of Standards, Built Environment at the British Standards Institution, to get BSI’s perspective on how standards are developed, how much they listen to the industry, when contractors can deviate from them, and how standards need to evolve alongside new technology.

Are British Standards keeping construction safe — or sometimes holding it back?