SELECT managing director Alan Wilson said a new timeline released by the association to mark its 125th anniversary showed that the UK-wide sector had been calling for protection of title while the First World War was still raging on the Western Front.

Yet despite repeated pleas for regulation, successive governments have refused to act for more than a century – and Mr Wilson said continuing to turn a deaf ear would be “another black mark in history”.

He said: “Our new timelines show that the association asked the UK Government in 1917 and 1939 to introduce registration of electrical businesses to ensure quality and the highest safety standards. On both occasions, the request was declined and so it has continued.

“It is bewildering to me that the issue of rogue operators was raised by our founders more than 100 years ago, but despite numerous pleas ever since, nothing has been done.

“Are there no unqualified tradespeople out there any more? No dangerous installations putting the people of Scotland at risk? I think we all know the answers to that.

“Our ancestors clearly had the wisdom to know that electrical miscreants were a danger to the industry and the wider public.

“It’s just a shame that generations of politicians haven’t shared that sentiment or had the foresight to tackle a problem that’s only grown worse with the rise of renewable technology and untrained ‘six-week wonders’ cashing in on the unwary public.”

Backed by MSP, MPs and fellow industry bodies, SELECT has been spearheading a long-running campaign for regulation of the electrical industry, but still no action has been taken.

Writing in the most recent issue of the association’s magazine cabletalk, Mr Wilson went on: “I’m not sure whether to be surprised or depressed that this problems still exists, or to just put it down to human nature and an unwillingness to change if no one forces us to.

“Now, more than ever, it’s vital that we continue the crusade started by our founders and keep fighting for regulation and protection of title for the profession of electrician.

“Surely we – and by we, I include politicians – must learn our lesson and not repeat the mistakes of those who have previously rebuffed the genuine case for regulation. To do so would mean another black mark in history.”

SELECT’s campaign, in partnership with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and Unite the Union, aims to make it a statutory offence for someone to call themselves an electrician when they have no, or inadequate, qualifications.

The Scottish Government had previously set up an Electricians Working Group to explore the challenges and two consultations on regulation have also taken place, while the SELECT Wall of Support continues to attract new backing.

SELECT president Mike Stark said: “Our campaign has now attracted a massive groundswell of support, but the urgent need to protect the public from the activities of unscrupulous traders is becoming ever clearer.

“Electrotechnical work is extremely complex and it is of primary importance that the professionals who carry it out are fully trained, fully qualified and up to speed with the most recent developments and regulations in the sector.”