Episodes
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan discuss tools. They cover what a new starter in the trade should get and why, whether it's the bosses responsibility to help apprentices get the tools they need, tools for employees and they discuss some of the best tools on the market
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by Charlie from Edmondson's Electrical, the largest Electrical wholesaler in the UK to give their perception on material quality, cost and also give some context on how the supply chain works and what their place is within it. Thomas and Paul also start a tools topic, which will continue on next week's show
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan talk about the issues they've experienced with material quality and working with some wholesalers. They also look at how an Electrician's wages compare to other trades and whether it's time to leave the stereotypes behind and they also re-visit tendering for work from last week's show
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by guests from both domestic and commercial/public to discuss their approach to tendering for contracts and quoting for work in domestic. They also touch on waiting for money, dealing with clients and more
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan discuss the one aspect of the trade they've possibly struggled to get right most in their careers...... taking time off! Paul and Thomas discuss how whether you're a contractor, employee or sole trader, each aspect comea with it's own set of challenges when trying to take time off. They talk about how they've achieved a bit of a better work life balance and how you can do the same
Thomas Nagy & Paul Meenan invite Sparky Ninja (AKA David Watts) and Adrian Davey to talk about their experiences in education and the concerning shortcomings with the current system
Thomas Nagy is joined by show regulars, Danny Webb and Pete Arrow so that he can find out how their quality of work, demand and how business is going generally in 2024. Thomas also reads out some messages on what the most common struggles are for contractors currently and shares his thoughts
Ian Bedingfield and Jack Street join Thomas Nagy as he explores how employed sparkies are faring in 2024. A lot tradespeople prize the freedom of being their own boss, but a steady income, holiday pay, and a fuel card are all strong reasons to sign on with a contractor. Thomas also shares his views on building a strong company culture
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan discuss their working relationship and give you plenty of insight and advice on how to foester and build the client and sub-contractor relationship
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan react to amendment 3 of BS 7671. Sparky Ninja, David Watts from e5 joins the show and gives his thoughts as well
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan discuss the race to the bottom in the trade and how often you can find yourself engaged in a race to the bottom when trying to win work from potential clients
Paul Meenan and Thomas Nagy continue looking at how the trade are supported and protected by trade associations and accreditations. This episode, Alan Wilson MD from Select in Scotland talks about making Electrician a protected title and whether we would want one trade body regulating and maintaining safety standards
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan take a look at the role trade associations and accreditation bodies have in the trade and whether members feel they're properly supported. Paul and Thomas talk to Danny Webb AKA Sparky Milan about why he's chosen to avoid accreditations and schemes and Thomas and Paul ponder what should and shouldn't be expected from these organisations with regards to support and policing the industry
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan draw from their own experiences on YouTube to discuss what role it plays in the electrical industry, the positives, the negatives, everything in between. There's also an exclusive from Thomas on his YouTube and some advice if you intend to post electrical or trade content on the platform
Thomas Nagy talks about electric vehicles, mental health, upskilling and dating (yes, really!)
Thomas Nagy is joined by two guests to discuss the dangers faced by electricians while working. Peter Bennett from The Ladder Association shares some evidence and advice with regards to the dangers of working from height. Electrical contractor, Tom Bickerton joins Thomas to talk about his own first hand experience with an electrical shock while working and also talks about his father's death while working
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan take a look at how burnout culture might be causing some members of the trade to feel disillusioned with the nature of the work and also ask Adrian Davey to share his story of disillusionment as well
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan invite Chris Frediani, the UK's most famous spread, to discuss the damaged relationship between Electricians and Plasterers. Chris talks about where it all started, his experiences and perspective as a spread on the issue, and also offers some advice and solutions. Paul and Thomas also talk about kitchen fitters dabbling in electrics a little later on too
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan talk to Gary Alder, who has written the book 'So You Want To Be An Electrician?' They ask Gary about his career in the trade, his thoughts on the state of the industry in 2024, who the book is for and why he's decided to write it
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan talk about doing work the right way and why it's important to think about the work you've completed in the following weeks and months. Paul and Thomas talk about the difference between a lash up and properly conducted work. Paul gives some advice and uses some examples from the trade with regards to how to do things ethically
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan talk to two contractors about what causes them to feel disillusioned with the trade and their position within it
John Isherwood is in for Thomas Nagy and walks Paul Meenan through his professional life in a bit of an Electrical version of 'This is Your Life'
John Isherwood is in for Thomas Nagy, with Paul Meenan and they look at why potential apprentices are struggling to find placements and why some contractors struggle once they bring apprentices into the business
We've heard from listeners that as they get further into their journey as an Electrical contractor, they find themselves losing their passion for the industry and the job. Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan discuss how this trade will test every fiber of your being and what you can do to stay passionate and avoided becoming jaded or even end up leaving the industry entirely
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by popular social media snagged John Cooper of New Home Quality Control to talk about snagging electrical work and the shocking state of new build homes. John talks about why het got into snagging, what he's witnessing on-site, how big an issue poor and dangerous work is for the construction industry. He also offers some advice for the younger tradespeople out on-site
John Isherwood is in for Thomas Nagy one more time and joined by Paul Meenan to take a look at tool theft, van theft, van break-ins, units being targetting by thieves and discuss what can be done about it. Tony York, an Electrical contractor talks about their awful experiences and Greg Smith MP joins the discussion to provide some context on what the government will do about this huge issue
Thomas Nagy is off for two weeks, but the show must go on and joining Paul Meenan on hosting duties is Fix Radio regular John Isherwood to take another look at health & fitness. It's January and therefore a time where many people attempt to get into some kind of exercise regime. John and Paul talk to Brooke Reeve, an apprentice spark about her experiences as a kickboxing world champion and personal trainer, Max returns to talk about the virtues of getting your employees into an at work fitness plan
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan pick out some of the key changes coming to the regs this year in the UK that you should know about and other things that might affect electrical contractors in 2024
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are back after Christmas and start the year with a look at EV and what 2024 might hold for EV and those in the trade that work within this specialism. Paul talks about a show he went to in London at the end of 2023, where he was able to take a closer look at EV
Charlie and Lewis return to discuss their specialism which is taking on commercial contracts at hotels across the UK. They explain what this work is like, How they find it, What kind of business set up you need to take the work on, the challenges, benefits and more!