Derek Thompson
Chief Executive
Derek joined ETT as Chief Executive in 2004. He brings 25 years experience in commercial and industrial building services work and a background that includes apprentice electrician, qualified electrician, Chief Electrical Estimator, Company Director and Managing Director. This experience makes him well-suited to his role and provides him with a real-world insight into the training needs of the Industry.
As Chief Executive, Derek has two primary goals:
(i) To ensure the effective management of the Electrical Apprenticeship Programme in Northern Ireland
(ii) To organise and manage relevant and effective training programmes for business and individuals
Key to achieving these goals has been his success in working with colleagues to bring about positive improvement and effective change in the purpose and performance of the organisation.
Derek is a former branch Chairman of the Electrical Contractors Association and is currently Chairman of the Northern Ireland Electrical Standards Lobbying Group. He is helping the Industry carry an important message to the local Assembly in support of a License to Practice for all Electricians undertaking domestic and public electrical installation work.
Experience & Qualifications
City & Guilds Trade and Industry Qualifications
Blog Posts from this Expert
by Derek Thompson on 04 April 2012 Unite is a union with a major industrial force and has over 1.5 million technical, professional and skilled members. Electrical apprentices are invited to join to help safeguard their future.
Representatives from Australia's leading trade organisation and training college visits ETT to outline their plans to attract qualified electricians to help combat a shortage of sparks Down Under.
Finding the right skills for Green Deal!
Green Deal Opportunities for Northern Ireland Employers.
by Derek Thompson on 09 January 2012 22-year-old's body was found by her boyfriend next to a boiler. Inquest hears of a series of blunders by electrical and building firm.
by Derek Thompson on 06 January 2012 Find out about the replacement to the electrical inspection and testing qualification
Are you responsible for Property, People or Places?
Then you need to be familiar with the changes to the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations.
NEW DATE ADDED DUE TO DEMAND
Unite overwhelming YES vote to Balfour Beatty strike over de-skilling
by Derek Thompson on 29 November 2011 Sometimes in business you need to take a different approach�
by Derek Thompson on 07 October 2011 The first electrial business conference in Northern Ireland provides an opportunity for ideas to be shared an opinions to be voiced
This is a matter that has plagued the Electrical Contracting Industry and some of its clients for many years and now it has finally been settled...
Updated Edition!
by Derek Thompson on 01 September 2011 ETT is set to host NI's first electrical business conference, Spark Change 2011; focusing on business opportunities in the current climate, helping owners and directors shape the future of their business and our industry.
Inform Industry, Spark Change!
by Derek Thompson on 11 July 2011 The show, which is in its third year, was buzzing with new ideas, concepts and innovations; it provides individuals the opportunity to meet with old friends, new friends, competitors, suppliers, trainers and loads of business owners as well!
by Derek Thompson on 18 May 2011 In 1859 Charles Dickens wrote the famous opening line in his book, A Tale of Two Cities. "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."
150 years later, these words have much relevance to the present day electrical industry; very few remain untouched by the extraordinary global events. A year ago we were hopeful, confident and ambitious for an increase in tender opportunities and busier order books.
What a difference a year makes!
by Derek Thompson on 10 March 2011 "Investment in our apprentices is of paramount importance and we must continue to invest and motivate our younger population into vocational trades to stimulate and grow the economy. I have no doubt that the future provision of apprentices in the local area is in safe hands with organisations such as this." Declan O'Loan, SDLP North Antrim MLA.
by Derek Thompson on 07 March 2011 In Northern Ireland there is no black and white definition to help understand the term "competent person," and this can give rise to ambiguity; there are problems with ambiguity. Being ambiguous about important matters such as technical knowledge, experience and supervision tends to allow for variance in the interpretation of what is really expected and ultimately required. Take for instance the legal requirements for an electrician working in Northern Ireland...
by Derek Thompson on 14 February 2011 Apprenticeships can rebuild our economy - but employers need to take more on to make this happen...
Almost 58,600 individuals are claiming unemployment benefits in NI, a record one-third of these are 16-25. These lacklustre numbers fuel fears of a "lost generation" who will lack the necessary knowledge and work-based skills to fulfil our needs when the economy begins to recover, both within the Electrical Industry and far further afield.
So how can we help change this bleak out-look?
by Derek Thompson on 22 December 2010 The debate over the need for a register of electricians in Northern Ireland has gone into cyberspace!
The Northern Ireland Electrical Standards Lobbying Group (NIESLG) wants to hear your opinion on the area of licensing and setting up a dedicated register of electricians in the province.
by Derek Thompson on 16 December 2010 ETT have a keen interest in schools and colleges across the province and we also support the sports teams of local school, Cambridge House.
So why should we be interested in local education?
Remember the old saying "spring forward fall back!"
by Derek Thompson on 22 September 2010 We should learn from history, we should learn from the past and we should learn from the right and wrong decisions that others have made before us.
Remarkably, many of us from time-to-time still fail to do this, including this writer. I am mindful of a number of occasions in my life when I failed to learn from past mistakes...
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by Derek Thompson on 17 September 2010 On the 9th and 10th of September 2010 ETT welcomed Norman Porter of Barnardo's NI as guest speaker at our induction for the 2010 intake of over 65 electrical apprentices.
by Derek Thompson on 24 August 2010 Can you imagine meeting your pilot as you step onto a plane, only to discover he has no license.
Would you really want to him to fly you to your destination?
by Derek Thompson on 02 August 2010 Are you really getting the best value from your electrician?
Are you employing or paying a competent electrician?
by Derek Thompson on 20 July 2010 The public sector in Northern Ireland spends an estimated £1.6 billion per year and is an important marketplace in which you could sell your products or services. The sector buys a huge variety of products and services and provides a customer base that is stable and pays on time.
by Derek Thompson on 17 June 2010 Yes, the lights are on at Stormont but is there anybody home?
by Derek Thompson on 17 June 2010 There's more "stop" than "go" at Stormont for the electrical contracting industry.
by Derek Thompson on 17 June 2010 It's one of those phrases which slips off the tongue so easily, isn't it? Working together! Yet how often do we really mean it?