Join Thomas Nagy as he takes a look at all the latest topics from the world of electricals including product launches, top tips, and special guests. Thomas will also be joined by some of the biggest names from across the industry giving their view on the
Thomas Nagy takes the opportunity while Paul is on holiday to discuss business growth and development. Thomas talks about his own experiences, both good and bad, and what he's learnt from them. Tom also outlines the pros and cons of expanding a business and whether you even want the job you're creating for yourself
Paul Meenan is joined by guests involved with teaching the trade so that he can explore the challenges that we have in getting competent tradespeople with a wealth of knowledge and experience to give up their careers on the tools and get into teaching. Guests include: Dave Love & Adrian Davey
Paul Meenan is joined by Andy Leggat, known as Isolate 4 Life on Instagram to discuss the previous talking point of 'whether we need insulated tools'. Paul starts with a conversation around apprenticeships and how apprentices are taught health and safety. Paul and Andy discuss how diverted neutrals changes the conversation around insulated tools slightly and also leads us to a discussion about needed regs changes
Paul Meenan and Thomas Nagy are joined by Deborah Graham-Wilson from Eland Cables to discuss the degradation of cables. Tom and Paul ask about quality assurance, the impact of transportation and location of where cables are made, how to access quality of cables and there's much more insight into how cable quality is assessed and implemented
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan look at the latest developments and progress (or lack of) around tackling tool theft in the UK. Met Police Sergeant, Dave Catlow joins the discussion to explain the challenge the Police have in dealing with the issue, how you can improve the chances of getting back your stolen tools and touches on vigilante justice. Van Security Expert, Jeff Scott from Sussex Installations talks about why some van manufacteurs need to do more and discusses van security. Towards the end of the show, Thomas talks about his experiences with tool theft/van break ins and Paul talks about those using innovation to tackle tool thieves
Paul Meenan and Thomas Nagy discuss whether the wiring regs constrain innovation, discuss too fatigue and the cost and time black hole caused by keeping up to date with regs
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan talk about some random electrical things you should know, if you dont already. There's a conversation about what makes a good and bad cable, BS4163 & a global standards update
Paul Meenan and Thomas Nagy discuss the range of hidden dangers you might encounter on old installations. John Ward joins the show to discuss examples he's found in the real world and his approach to reducing these dangers
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by Leadership Development Consultant, James Ray (https://www.instagram.com/jamesacray?igsh=MXJmcXJydGcxbWh3Mw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr) to discuss how to manage people as the boss and also deal with HR issues that might arise with employees, subbies or apprentices
Paul Meenan and Thomas Nagy talk about the push for full electrification and whether it's realistic
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan about whether you 'sell them the dream' and how much of the 'hard realities' of the industry you share with apprentices. Guests include: Tony York from Yorkman
Paul Meenan and Danny Webb AKA Sparky Milan (in for Thomas Nagy) discuss the growing gap in competency in the trade among domestic installers and the reasons why this gap is becoming ever more apparent. Paul talks about the challenges with regards to antiquated technology and teaching at colleges, the hesistancy to embrace new tech and understanding the need for CPD, as well as many other factors
Paul Meenan and Danny Webb AKA Sparky Milan (in for a hard working Thomas Nagy) talk about instances of unreported shocks and why it could be important to change the mindset in the trade around reporting, of lack of. Andy Baker from Electrical Safety UK joins the discussion to share his thoughts on unreported shocks towards the end of the show as well!
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan talk about how they approach troubleshooting and problem solving in a variety of circumstances they find themselves in. Thomas talks about troubleshooting while on the tools and managing a business. Paul talks about choosing your battles, gives advice and disusses the process to take when troubleshooting different issues
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by Nathan Smoothy (Message Therapist) to discuss some of the ways you can combat, prevent and manage aches and strain that come from a lifetime on the tools
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan start 2025 with a look at what possible developments we might see across the Electrical sector and Construction Industry as a whole this year
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan debunk some common myths and misconceptions about the trade. Guests include: Bob Cairney, Director of Technical Services at SELECT
With Paul Meenan away for a second week, Stand in co-host Danny Webb (Sparky Milan) uses it as an opportunity to ask Thomas Nagy how he transitioned from more domestic based work to working on the highways and railway
Danny Webb AKA Sparky Milan joins Thomas Nagy while Paul Meenen is in Ireland to discuss their best and worst moments in the trade
Stuart Cato joins Paul Meenan to discuss his experiences installing Solar PV and working in the industry. Stuart talks about his time serving in the Royal Engineers, the leap he made into Solar PV, His positive experiences in Solar, Riding the Solarcoaster and the need for more guidance
Paul Meenan is solo on the show and uses the opportunity to get some reaction from the trade with regards to the budget. Paul is joined by an Electrician who made national news after he stated he would pack up his family & business and move to Spain due to the budget. Paul has also invited Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders to join him and add context and opinion with regards to the impact the budget will have on the trade
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan invite two well esteemed members of the trade to join them and offer some meaningful advice from their experiences in electrical. Dan Jackson talks wellness, alcohol, diet, work life balance and Mark Pink shares his experiences and lessons learnt from the variety of working environments he's found himself in over the years
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by guests to discuss the current approach to electrical apprenticeships here in the UK. Ruth Devine MBE, chair of TESP (The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership) joins to give an overview on what is going well with regards to the current apprenticeship scheme and also where there is still challenges as well as room for improvement. Adrian Davey, educator and friend of the show gives his thoughts on how apprentices move through the education system and where he feels there are some serious issues that need to be addressed
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by those that work in Solar PV currently, to find out what their experiences have been both good and bad. Paul talks about and puts some concerns around safety and guidance to the guests as well. Guests include: Rob Wade from RJW Electrical Services & Kevin Holland from The Solar Shed
Paul Meenan returns from his escapades in Turkey and discusses the latest technology and developments in tech that relates to the Electrical industry
Thomas Nagy is with Danny Webb AKA Sparky Milan one more time before Paul Meenan returns and brings his apprentices in for a chat. Thomas first of all introduces his first year apprentice to discuss his time so far and then introduces his apprentice that has just come out of his time and finds out what their education journey has been like
Thomas Nagy is joined again by Danny Webb AKA Sparky Milan where they look at the failure rate of businesses in the trade and how to keep your head above water. Danny talks about his experiences with his business, Craig Wilkinson from the Trades Freedom Club joins the show to give some insight into how businesses fail and offers some ways to avoid failure. Finally, Thomas Nagy talks openly about his own mistakes in the past with regards to running a business
Thomas Nagy is joined by Danny Webb AKA Sparky Milan for the first of three appearances while Paul is off on holiday and uses it as an oppertunity to find out what Danny has been doing workwise lately and discuss in detail his experiences re-training and joining the trade at 27
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by three Electricians who were nominated for Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2024. Thomas and Paul ask them about their careers, their challenges on and off the tools, get some background into what makes them worthy to be nominated for 'Top Tradesperson and also ask about thought on the industry. Guests include: Steve Cook, Richard Pullen & Gary Lynch
Paul Meenan returns to the show and brings a wealth of knowledge with regards to the latest on Amendment 4 to the wiring regs
Thomas Nagy is joined by Danny Webb AKA Sparky Milan to talk about what they perceive to be all the joys and pains of working as an electrical contractor
Thomas Nagy is solo this week and uses it as an oppertunity to pose some juicy 'would you ever' questions about the trade to himself
Adrian Davey joins Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan to peel back the layers and expose the truth about the realities of teaching
Mark Pink returns to discuss apprenticeships, skills, challenging aspects of the trade and more with Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan are joined by Electrician, Mark Pink, who talks about all of the different aspects of the trade he's worked in, in places around the world like Saudi Arabia and Russia. There's also more on Amendment 3 of the 18th edition, which was published on 31st July
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!)