News

The increasingly high standard and technical complexity of electrical distribution was put in the spotlight recently (Friday 11 October 2019) when one of its young stars took a major title at the sector’s SELECT Awards 2019.

Rian Keegan, 20, from East Kilbride, was named as Electrical Distributors’ Association (Scottish Section) Wholesaler Apprentice of the Year 2019, an award category which was introduced only two years ago.

Apprenticeship was Rian’s career launch-pad

Winner Rian said:

“There was a huge response for the apprentice post with CEF and I am very grateful to them, and the teams I work with, for showing faith in me and giving me this great chance.

“After successfully completing my apprenticeship in Warehousing and Storage, I was delighted to be offered a permanent Sales Assistant role at CEF in Glasgow. To win this award is an enormous incentive for me, and I plan to take every opportunity to progress my career in electrical wholesaling.”

Wholesalers: the essential link in the supply chain

Rian’s award was presented by Angela Devine, Apprenticeship Account Manager at EDA Apprenticeships Plus and Andrew Burt, Chair of the EDA Scottish Section and MD of Glasgow-based AIB Electrical Wholesale Ltd. EDA Apprenticeships Plus, who also sponsored the awards, manages the EDA’s UK-wide apprenticeship programme.

Team Rian (l-r): Proud Dad, Paul Keegan; Angela Devine; William Gall, CEF; 
winner Rian Keegan; Dan Cooper, CEF; Andrew Burt, Chair of the EDA Scottish Section.

Alan Wilson, MD at SELECT added

“Wholesalers are the essential link in the supply chain between the manufacturers of electro-technical products and electricians who install them.

“Just like the installing sector, wholesalers need a steady supply of talented individuals, like Rian, coming through and showing enthusiasm and dedication.”

Tough competition

John Henry, MD at sponsors EDA Apprenticeships Plus said,

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity to attract new talent to your team. Scotland is one of the top performers for take-up of the EDA’s service and there’s a rich source of talent out there ready to be harnessed.

“Our winner, Rian, faced tough competition in the finals from Lewis Connor, of Scott Coppola Electrical Distributors, Stuart Farmer and Connor Grant, both of CEF, and Danny Jones of Edmundson Electrical Ltd.”

Can-do attitude

Rian’s manager at CEF’s Glasgow city centre branch, Andy Thomson, said:

“Rian showed a great work ethic and adapted to his role very quickly, demonstrating a real can-do approach and a willingness to go the extra mile.”

The evening was hosted by popular radio and television personality Shereen Nanjiani and was attended by more than 400 guests from a wide spectrum of companies, ranging from major electrical enterprises to local firms, illustrating the diversity and strength of Scotland’s electrical sector.

Above: Winner Rian, with Tom Taylor,
CEF’s Group Manager for Scotland Central

About SELECT

SELECT’s 1,250 member companies account for the majority of electrical installation work carried out in Scotland and provide employment for 15,000 people.

The organisation helps to shape the market environment by representing the industry to all levels of government and helps to influence legislation in order to create industry conditions which enable member firms to provide a quality service and to maintain their profitability.