Episodes
Thomas Nagy and Paul Meenan talk to Electrical Contractor, Callum Biscoe about his aims to help raise £100,000 for his local boxing club. Callum shares his experiences in the trade and talks about why he's decided to try and help out the club. If you can help or would like to donate, please do - https://bbch.org.uk/
Paul Meenan returns to the show alongside Thomas Nagy. Paul gives an update of where he's been and what he's been up to. Thomas Nagy gives a bit of a professional update and discusses the challenges that come with accreditations. Paul also gives a lowdown on the latest developments from the industry as a whole
Thomas Nagy is joined by Principal and CEO of The Leeds College of Building, Nikki Davis to discuss the open letter she sent to the Government, requesting an open conversation around the challenges to attract people from the trade into education and pay those what they need to do it. Nikki discusses the inherent problems as she sees them as well as ideas for a solution. Nikki also touches on why you should really deeply consider teaching as an option and the lesser known benefits of doing so
Thomas Nagy answers some frquently asked questions and questions sent to him via social media and the radio show. Thomas gives some advice and talks through his approach to varous things like: protecting his vehicles and high value equipment, how to snag and access the quality of work completed by his company and more
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 ab...
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