• • • EDITOR’S CHOICE • • •
How we can divide and conquer to tackle the skills gap in electrical installation
On the brink of a new energy landscape where buildings must become more energy efficient, the UK is facing a major skills shortage in the construction industry, specifically electrical installation experts, which could hold us back from any real change, says Jennie Gould, electrician channel marketing manager, Schneider Electric
T
he UK is suffering from a shortage of skilled electricians with the know-how to drive us into a greener age of energy. This skills gap has been developing for a number of years, most notably highlighted in the 2016 Farmer Review, which predicted a 20-25% decline in the available construction workforce within a decade.
The UK Skills Index has reported that just to keep up with the pace of demand, almost a quarter of the workforce needs to be qualified apprentices to bridge the growing skills gap – that’s 24,000 apprentices that must qualify year-on-year. There are many theories as to why this skills gap has become so significant. An ageing workforce, stagnating wages, and an industry perception problem are commonly cited as contributing factors. As older workers retire, there are fewer young people entering the industry to replace them, while an alarmingly high dropout rate among apprentices has also chipped away at these figures.
While these are but a few of the complex problems that government and the industry need to solve, there are steps that businesses can take now to ensure resources are being allocated in the most efficient way.
Getting the right person for the job
Obviously, the provision of quality training is key but there are ways we can ensure the specialist skills currently available are used efficiently – assigning them to the right tasks that best match their skillsets. This may sound obvious, but one way to facilitate this is by using an easy, flexible, and scalable kit that is not too complex to install. This means assigning trainees or apprentices to basic tasks, whilst their more experienced colleagues are diverted to work on the complex jobs that will help us deliver the modern requirements to meet our 2050 energy goals. Leaders in the electrical industry are now providing out-of-the-box products aimed at light commercial use cases, including multi-storey residential buildings, schools and public buildings, and high-end property installations, which arrive ready-to-install.
This is ideal for the new wave of developing electrical talent to install and build their experience, whilst freeing up the time of experienced colleagues to focus on the more challenging tasks. And whilst the equipment is easy to install, this doesn’t take away from
its reliability and functionality, removing the need for lengthy ongoing maintenance and fewer costly repairs.
An excellent illustration of this can be observed in companies that have taken steps to facilitate the transition of modern electricians towards commercially minded use cases.
Through their proactive efforts, these leaders not only invest in the success of their own businesses but also contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the industry as a whole. Their involvement helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience, equipping young electricians with the necessary expertise to tackle complex challenges. Contractors and electricians have a host of different options to help meet their electrical design requirements. It spans from entry-level, targeted at the new wave of electricians and contractors who are picking up a slew of new work in the wake of a revitalised energy landscape, to more established applications that are suitable for larger and more complex buildings. Whatever the case, these products can become the ‘go-to’ tools for more established firms relying on ready-to-install applications that will ensure their workforce is efficient and consistent. With these lines of products, electricians can fast-track their skillset by installing standalone solutions or using them as integrated components in modular assemblies, delivering reliable connections, peace of mind, and safe circuit protection.
What’s more, there is increased commitment in the industry to deliver modern tools for energy management by including metering kits, allowing contractors and end-users to measure and regulate power consumption with ease. It is down to leaders in the electrical industry to provide easy and scalable products that help nurture electricians’ skills and ensure they have the knowledge and decision-making capabilities to deliver reliable, scalable products across smaller commercial and larger residential projects. By entrusting in specific providers with proven track records, businesses and electricians can ensure a consistent quality of service across all installations, which in time can reduce the workforce shortage and help deliver a new wave of skilled tradespeople.
6 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JUNE 2023
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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