General Manager Frank Berti reflects on NAPIT’s achievements in 2024 and discusses opportunities and challenges moving forward to 2025.
Over the years, I have seen NAPIT go from strength to strength and 2024 was no exception. It has been great to take on the role of Managing Director and lead NAPIT forward after Mike Andrews took over as Managing Director of Compliance and Accreditation UK & Ireland within the Phenna Group.
The move has seen Mike lead the division in which NAPIT is 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 Labor Government’s willingness to engage with industry to deliver plans to achieve 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, organizations like NAPIT and its members will be an integral part of this. As well as achieving net zero, the government has introduced an ambitious target to “Get Britain Building” with 1.5 million new homes set to be built over the next five years.
We welcome the government’s plan to ‘build Britain’, but it is essential that these homes are built using renewable technology to prevent the need for more expensive retrofits later, and they must be installed by 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 of renewable technologies, proposed regulations, and new policies.
Draft public comment on Amendment 4, which will shape industry regulations, has been opened 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 safety standards across the sector remains a major focus at NAPIT. This can be seen in our support of the Super Rod Safe Isolation Survey and the ETT NI Ending Shock Silence Report, both of which highlighted some very worrying findings.
We were pleased to see the Department of Business and Trade act with a new campaign, ‘Buy Safe, Be Safe’ which has been launched to tackle the purchase of unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters.
A major concern is consumers purchasing unregulated, unsafe products online that may contain defective lithium-ion batteries. We look forward to further action by government and industry to address this including in the new Products Regulation and Metrology Bill being advanced through Parliament.
NAPIT will continue to support these campaigns to ensure improving electrical safety remains high on the agenda.
NAPIT is proud to continue to support colleges and students in their learning journey. Last year we visited colleges and training centers across the country to offer them technical support and specialist resources, and this will be another priority this year as we ensure the next generation of electricians and installers are suitably trained and available to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the transition to net zero.
In the past year we have seen an increase in demand for our training devices among these educational centers which are of great benefit to the practical and theoretical aspects of training. This year, NAPIT will continue to give young people the opportunity to flourish, develop their knowledge and enhance their skills.
Every year there is an amazing effort from all staff when it comes to fundraising for charity. Last year we focused our fundraising efforts to support the Young Lives vs Cancer campaign. Our team raised funds by participating in a 27km sponsored walk at Lady Bower Reservoir, a bake-off, a festive fun day and the annual lunch. Our chosen charity this year is The Samaritans and I’m sure our staff will once again dig in and show their support.
Last year NAPIT participated in nine successful events, including six shows at the NAPIT EXPO area at Elex, the Installer Show, Solar and Storage Live, and ETT Stay Connected. With ongoing professional development opportunities, industry presentations from our technical team and keeping contractors informed of regulatory changes, it was great to meet and support NAPIT members and visitors.
Our team thoroughly enjoyed the members taking on and participating in the NAPIT terminator challenge. We are looking forward to this year’s NAPIT EXPO at ELEX events.
2024 also saw the launch of NAPIT’s latest publication, NAPIT Practical Guide: Solar PV Systems as well as the development of NAPIT FastTest which now includes certifications for renewable technologies.
2025 is expected to bring us further details of the regulator’s review of building safety, the government’s response to the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and the introduction of legislation on standards for homes of the future.
Looking to the future, NAPIT and its team of dedicated staff will continue to focus on raising efficiency, safety and quality standards for the benefit of our members, families and businesses across the UK.
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