THE WIRE: Your one-stop shop for skills development

Our free, CPD-accredited webinar series is an exclusive benefit for NICEIC-certified businesses.

Photo of Debbie Shields
Debbie Shields | Communications Manager
The electrical industry is constantly in flux. New legislation, regulatory changes and emerging technologies all combine to create an evolving, fast-paced industry that we’re extremely proud to be a part of.

This also means that those undertaking electrotechnical work can’t afford to rest on their laurels. The most successful businesses are those that are committed to ongoing learning and development, helping them stay ahead of the latest industry updates and reach new customers – for example, the growing segment of UK homeowners who are eager to install energy-efficient technologies in their homes and commercial premises.

How THE WIRE can help you stay ahead
THE WIRE is NICEIC’s free webinar series dedicated to supporting our certified businesses with their continuing professional development (CPD) obligations. It’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s a vital resource for our certified businesses, which directly contributes to helping them pass their NICEIC assessment and maintain their certification.

This is because all businesses certified with one of our electrotechnical schemes must demonstrate a written record of CPD hours for all employed persons in the business (including sub-contractors) who undertake electrotechnical work.

Each episode of THE WIRE provides between 45 and 60 minutes of CPD, and you can tune in from anywhere, making it a convenient option for busy contractors who are constantly on the go. Covering key technical topics, regulatory updates, support with running your business and much more, our episodes are designed to help you boost your skills, maintain your existing knowledge and give you a competitive edge in a crowded marketplace.
Read more: What is CPD – and why does it matter?

What you get when you tune in
In addition to a CPD certificate to add to your collection, there are so many benefits to attending THE WIRE webinars.

Technical expertise
Our first-class technical episodes are delivered by seasoned professionals, who have decades of hands-on experience and whose expertise and unique insights place them among the industry’s leading technical minds. And, because each episode of THE WIRE is delivered live, they’re also able to answer your questions in real time, enabling you to personalise your learning experience.

Soft skills
Although technical skills are vital to running an electrical business, so are the soft – but equally important skills – needed to ensure success. Our sessions also include advice on safeguarding your and others’ mental health; guidance on how to pass your NICEIC assessment with flying colours; and hints and tips on running a thriving business.

Emerging technologies
Renewable technologies and energy-efficient installations are growing in popularity with British consumers, due in part to generous government grants and incentives designed to increase uptake among homeowners. Our sessions on renewable technologies have previously covered topics such as EV installations, solar PV and electrical energy storage systems (EESS).

Missed a live broadcast?
As a busy professional, we understand that you might not be able to tune in to each and every episode of THE WIRE. But that doesn’t mean you should have to miss out on useful sessions with our experts.

That’s what THE WIRE on-demand library is here for. With over 30 hours of CPD-accredited content available to watch back on demand, you can attend every session at a time that suits you.

What our certified businesses say
We think our webinar series features among the very best CPD resources the industry has to offer. But you don’t just have to take our word for it – our certified businesses can’t stop talking about THE WIRE either!

Here are a few testimonials from businesses just like yours on how THE WIRE has helped them:
“Sam [Donaghy, Head of Technical Advice and Practice] is always very good and has a lot of technical knowledge […] He is easily one of the best speakers and is rapidly becoming an industry legend!”
Certified business, Herefordshire

“I thought they were very knowledgeable and easy to understand. Thoroughly enjoyed the subject matter too.”
Certified business, Devon

“Fantastic, I always find the webinars to be informative, organised and clear about the subject.”
Certified business, Yorkshire

Frequently asked questions
You have questions; we have answers. In the section below, we answer some of the questions we most commonly get asked about our webinars.

Can anybody watch THE WIRE?
THE WIRE is an exclusive benefit reserved for NICEIC-certified businesses. Occasionally, we will open up a session to the wider industry where we feel it is of benefit to do so; however, the vast majority of our webinar episodes are available solely for our certified businesses.

How can I watch THE WIRE on demand?
You can access THE WIRE through the customer portal (my.niceic.com). Find the webinars page under Other Services. Alternatively, you can access our webinars and register for upcoming sessions through our website.

How long after the live webinar can you watch THE WIRE on demand?
Webinars are available in our on-demand library within four days of the live broadcast.

How do I get hold of my CPD certificate for a webinar I’ve attended?
When you have finished watching an episode of THE WIRE, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to your CPD certificate.

I haven’t been sent my CPD certificate. Do I need this for my CPD record and, if so, how do I access it?
Please simply write in your personal CPD record that you have attended this webinar. You are not required to have the certificate as proof (after all, many CPD activities – like reading a Connections article – don’t come with a certificate but still count as CPD). If you would still like your CPD certificate, you are welcome to email niceicevents@niceic.com and a member of our team will guide you through accessing your CPD certificate through our webinar platform.

I can’t access THE WIRE – what should I do?
If you’re having any trouble accessing the webinar platform, please email us at niceicevents@niceic.com.

I have an idea for a topic I’d like to see covered in THE WIRE – who do I contact?
After each live webinar, you can take a survey that allows you to suggest topics to be covered in future webinars. Alternatively, you can email us your ideas at niceicevents@niceic.com.