NICEIC and ELECSA Live North

Former England captain and jobbing electrician, Stuart Pearce tops bill of guest speakers at Live North.

Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce was the main draw at this year’s NICEIC and ELECSA Live North event in Liverpool.

The tough tackling full back, who worked as an electrician before finding fame as a footballer, entertained a crowd of more than 400 people at Aintree Racecourse with stories from his past. He spoke about life as a jobbing electrician for Brent Council alongside his experiences of working for some of the most famous names in football.

“I enjoyed my time on the tools,” said Pearce, who was capped 78 times by England. “The teamwork amongst all the guys in trades was something that stood me in good stead for my football career, although I don’t miss crawling about under stairs and in loft spaces.”

Pearce famously still worked as an electrician after signing his first professional deal with Coventry City. The work, he said, supplemented the wages he received as a footballer, which was less than an employed electrician back then in 1983. He eventually gave up the life of a spark when he secured a big money move to Nottingham Forest a few years later, adding that it was unlikely footballers of today would need to work part-time as a spark.

In addition to Pearce the crowd of electrical contractors heard talks from NICEIC and ELECSA’s Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth. It was the final Live North event for Cable who has clocked up more than 60 years in the industry and is due to retire next year.

Cable said: “I have had an amazing career in this industry and if there is one thing I will always cherish, it is that I have had the chance to do many different things without spending one period out of work. There has always been something to move on to and I will miss that.”

NICEIC and ELECSA’s Technical Standards Director, Alan Wells, also spoke about the upcoming 18^th edition of the wiring regulations, which is set to be introduced in 2018. He dispelled some industry myths about how and why new regulations are needed.

There were also talks from Dean Kalek from SMA Solar about energy storage solutions, Martyn Allen from Electrical Safety First, who spoke about counterfeit products and Mark Coles from the IET, who presented a talk on LED lighting.

This year’s event was sponsored by Bosch Power Tools, Denmans, Elite Security Products, and The Scolmore Group. In addition to the talks contractors were able to look around a thriving exhibition hall featuring some of the biggest names in the industry. They were able to try out the latest kit and take advantage of special offers including £250 worth of discounts.

“This was our fifth Live North event and probably the biggest one yet,” commented Mark Smith, Director of Marketing and Communications at Certsure, which operates NICEIC and ELECSA.

“There was a real good mix of technical and business information which appealed to contractors. It was a chance for them to enjoy a fun and informative day out which will ultimately help them with their business.”