Thursday March 27th 2025
From left to right; SELECT MD Alan Wilson, Provost McCall, President Mike Stark and Vice President Darren Crockett.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
Midlothian Council Provost Debbi McCall was the guest of honour at a recent lunch to mark the 125th anniversary of Scotland’s largest construction trade association, SELECT.
The civic leader was invited to speak at a special occasion attended by board members and senior staff at the campaigning body’s HQ at The Bush Estate in her Penicuik ward.
And as she congratulated SELECT on representing the electrotechnical industry since 1900, Provost McCall told guests that the association should be proud of its ongoing work training the workforce of the future.
She said: “I am delighted to be here and would like to thank SELECT for inviting me along. It’s an honour to congratulate you all on the 125th anniversary of Scotland’s largest construction trade association – what a wonderful achievement and one of which you are no doubt very proud.
“It’s always a pleasure to attend events at the Bush Estate which is internationally known for a number of business enterprises and has put Midlothian on the map.
“Small and medium business enterprises account for over 95% of Scottish business and I am delighted to hear the large number of employees and apprentices SELECT have helped, and continue to help, as well as training our very much-needed electricians.
“As Midlothian Volunteer Champion and – I’m always delighted to say this – the first woman to be voted Provost of Midlothian Council, it is an honour to be here celebrating with you and I wish SELECT all the very best for many, many more years to come.”
Ms McCall, who was elected to Midlothian Council in 2017 and became Provost in May 2022, also voiced her support for SELECT’s ongoing campaign for regulation of the electrical industry.
She told assembled guests: “I’m horrified to hear that anyone can call themselves an electrician – I did not know that was the case and am absolutely shocked.
“This should be a cross-party issue in every party’s manifesto for the 2026 elections because it just seems a no-brainer.”
Provost McCall was among 30 guests who attended the lunch on Wednesday 26th March, including SELECT President Mike Stark, Vice President Darren Crockett and a number of Past Presidents and Honorary Members.
Among the local association members who attended were father and son John and Alasdair Noble from Bonnyrigg-based firm John Noble Electrical Contractors Ltd, along with Paul Erasmuson from Techni-Call Electrics, who are based in Gorebridge.
President Mike Stark is also UK & Ireland Technical Director at OCS M&E Services Ltd, whose head office is in Loanhead.
SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson said: “We are extremely grateful to Provost McCall for finding the time to attend our special lunch as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations.
“Since moving here from Edinburgh in July 1989, SELECT has been extremely proud of its Midlothian HQ, which has seen us train thousands of electricians to work safely in customers’ homes and businesses.”
Founded in 1900, SELECT was the world’s first trade association for the electrical industry. Today it has more than 1,200 member business, employing 15,000 people and 3,000 apprentices.
As the voice of the electrotechnical sector in Scotland, the association offers a wealth of advice, training and guidance to its members, and also campaigns on a number of issues, including regulation of the industry for a safer Scotland.
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