Marcus Walsh, Director at Ventilux, highlights the apprenticeship opportunities the company has championed with Hugh Baird College.

At Ventilux, we believe in building more than emergency lighting systems – we’re building careers, confidence and long-term futures. As an independent emergency lighting manufacturer, we’re proud to play a hands-on role in developing the next generation of electrical engineers. Incredibly, not one but three of our current employees have all been studying at Hugh Baird College, combining academic learning with real-world experience on-site. For us, apprenticeships are not a tick-box exercise. They are an essential part of how we grow our business, strengthen our team and invest in the industry’s future.

Daniel Bold, Reece Webb and Harry Adams are shining examples of why apprenticeships matter. Each of them is gaining practical, hands-on experience in live environments while contributing to high-profile projects across the UK – from Manchester Airport and historic London landmarks to major installations in Scotland.

Competence and confidence

Working on complex emergency lighting installations gives our apprentices invaluable exposure to real challenges: compliance, coordination with other trades, problem-solving on-site, and delivering to strict safety standards. This practical learning complements their college studies and accelerates both their technical competence and professional confidence.

By working with a respected local college, we’re able to align on training standards, ensure apprentices receive the right academic support, and maintain open communication about their development.

Les Simmons, Ventilux’s Installation and Service Supervisor and mentor to the apprentices, explains: “Ventilux is a family-run business that wanted to provide apprenticeships to local young people to grow the team. Working with a local college, such as Hugh Baird, is a great professional relationship.”

That partnership ensures apprentices benefit from structured learning in the classroom while developing practical skills under experienced supervision on-site.

Daniel Bold joined Ventilux in June 2024 after completing his Level 1 and 2 Diplomas at Hugh Baird College. He has quickly become a valued member of the team and describes Ventilux as a “supportive, nice, family-run team.” His progression demonstrates how apprenticeships can provide a clear pathway from education into meaningful employment.

Reece Webb began his apprenticeship in October 2024, transitioning from the Autocare sector. With no prior electrical experience, Reece brought determination and a strong work ethic. His rapid development highlights the accessibility of apprenticeships to those willing to learn and embrace a new career path.

Harry Adams, our newest apprentice, joined us after completing his Level 2 and 3 Diplomas. He has found a welcoming, growth-focused environment where he can continue to build on his qualifications while gaining valuable site experience.

The electrical and emergency lighting sectors face ongoing skills shortages. For independent manufacturers like Ventilux, the solution isn’t simply to recruit talent – it’s to create it.

Fresh perspectives

By nurturing apprentices from the start of their careers, we’re not only strengthening our own team but also contributing to the wider industry. Apprentices bring fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and a willingness to embrace new technologies. In return, we provide mentorship, structured development and the opportunity to work on prestigious, technically demanding projects.

As a family-run business, we take pride in creating a supportive environment where young professionals can grow, make mistakes, learn and ultimately thrive. For Ventilux, apprenticeships aren’t just about today’s workforce. They’re about ensuring that the next generation of engineers is skilled, confident and ready to uphold the highest standards in safety and compliance. By investing in people now, we’re helping to secure a stronger future for our business – and for the industry as a whole.

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Ian Murphy, R&D Manager at Ventilux, looks at the opportunities that outdoor emergency lighting can present to wholesalers.

Emergency lighting is often associated with corridors, stairwells and plant rooms, but external environments present just as many safety-critical challenges. For wholesalers supplying electrical contractors and beyond, understanding how outdoor luminaires can support both compliance and environmental responsibility is increasingly important.

The external envelope of a building is no longer just a transitional space. Car parks, walkways, entrance routes and perimeter areas must remain safely illuminated during mains failure. At the same time, environmental legislation, biodiversity policies and planning conditions are placing greater scrutiny on how – and what – we illuminate after dark. This presents a clear opportunity for wholesalers to offer solutions that combine robust emergency performance with responsible exterior lighting design.

Local authorities and planners are placing growing emphasis on reducing light pollution and protecting nocturnal wildlife. For emergency lighting in outdoor areas, this creates a balancing act. Installations must remain compliant, reliable and effective in an emergency while avoiding unnecessary uplight, glare and ecological disturbance. Forward-thinking manufacturers are now responding to this challenge, and wholesalers are ideally placed to support contractors by offering products that address both performance and sustainability.

Demanding environments

Ventilux’s Alpha has been developed as a robust outdoor luminaire engineered for long-term performance in demanding environments. Constructed from high-quality die-cast aluminium and rated IP65 and IK10, it is designed to withstand weather exposure, impact and potential vandalism – essential considerations for emergency escape routes, perimeters and public realm applications. However, durability alone is no longer enough. A defining evolution within the Alpha is the introduction of new 2700K LED plates. This very warm colour temperature significantly reduces blue and ultraviolet wavelengths compared with traditional cool white sources. In practical terms, this supports bat-friendly lighting strategies and reduces insect attraction, helping projects meet environmental conditions without compromising safety. For wholesalers, this represents an important talking point, as contractors are increasingly asked to justify lighting choices as part of planning submissions or sustainability assessments. Being able to offer a luminaire that supports biodiversity objectives adds tangible value beyond price and availability.

Emergency lighting outdoors must be dependable but controlled, and one of the major contributors to environmental light pollution is uplight and sky glow. Poorly directed luminaires spill light into the night sky, reducing visibility of the stars, disturbing wildlife and impacting nearby residents. Alpha’s downward light projection ensures illumination is delivered only where required, supporting safer navigation during an emergency while reducing unnecessary environmental impact. This controlled distribution also improves visual comfort, creating more pleasant nighttime environments, which is increasingly valued in residential and mixed-use developments.

When discussing sustainability with contractors and specifiers, energy efficiency is often the first metric considered. While LED technology plays a crucial role in reducing operational energy consumption, product lifespan is equally important. Alpha’s die-cast aluminium housing provides excellent corrosion resistance and structural integrity. Combined with IP65 ingress protection and IK10 impact resistance, this robust construction significantly reduces the likelihood of premature failure. Fewer replacements mean lower embodied carbon over time, fewer site visits and reduced material waste. For contractors and management companies responsible for maintaining external emergency lighting systems, this translates into lower lifecycle costs and improved reliability. For wholesalers, offering products designed for longevity strengthens relationships with professional installers who prioritise dependable performance over short-term cost savings.

Integration

Emergency lighting can no longer be treated as a standalone compliance item. It must integrate with wider architectural, environmental and sustainability objectives. By stocking and promoting solutions that reflect this shift, wholesalers position themselves as knowledgeable partners rather than transactional suppliers.

Modern exterior emergency lighting demonstrates that it is possible to combine industrial-grade durability with environmentally responsible illumination, precise light control and extended service life. By addressing both compliance and ecological impact, these approaches bridge the gap between functional performance and sustainability.

For today’s electrical wholesalers, understanding and supplying lighting that meets these evolving expectations is no longer optional; it represents the future direction of responsible outdoor emergency illumination.

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