• • • TRADE SKILLS • • • Is upskilling a solution to


an electrical skills gap? Often referred to as ‘the missing million’, the UK is experiencing an unprecedented trade skills shortage


By Alex Robinson, Head of Training, NICEIC T


he Trade Skills Index 2024 found that 1.3 million new recruits and 350,00 apprentices are needed in the construction


sector over the next 10 years to deliver the housing, clean energy and infrastructure targets set out by the government. Although this impact is being felt across all


trades to varying degrees, some reports estimate we could see a net decrease in the number of skilled electricians by over 25 per cent. This highlights the need for urgent action to ensure the number of apprentices coming through increases to match the number of professionals leaving the profession through retirement. Despite government plans to increase


apprenticeships, much more needs to be done in both the short term and the long term to reverse this trend. The responsibility lies both with industry and


with the government to work together to deliver high-impact interventions to help increase the number of apprentices entering the sector. Beyond that, we need to ensure that those people stay in the trade and build rewarding long-term careers.


Demand, growth


and renewables The electrical industry is one of the driving forces helping the UK transition towards net zero. This growing demand for renewable technology installations, particularly in the residential sector, for technologies such as EV charging points and


rooftop solar PV systems, is dependent on qualified and competent electricians who are able to install those systems. The current shortage is not simply a workforce


issue, it has far-reaching implications for the UK’s broader ambitions of net zero by 2050. Without enough qualified electricians, the rollout of key low-carbon technologies such as EV chargers, heat pumps and solar panels will struggle to keep pace with national targets.


Our role with renewables As the UK Government continues to expand investment in renewable energy infrastructure, more homeowners and businesses are turning to sustainable solutions to cut both their carbon footprint and energy costs. With a dwindling workforce, this shift will


require already qualified electricians to adapt their skillsets to meet this demand. While core electrical expertise will remain essential, it must now be paired with knowledge of emerging technologies. As the landscape evolves, the electricians most in demand will be those equipped to install electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs), solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage solutions. Recent research commissioned by NICEIC


highlights the challenges facing the electrotechnical industry, particularly in technical skills, recruitment and attracting new talent. The study revealed that one in four businesses (25 per cent) view green energy and emerging technologies as their top training priority for the


year ahead; demonstrating a growing recognition that additional training is critical for businesses seeking to embrace new growth opportunities.


Training and certification NICEIC is a recognised provider of Electrician Plus qualifications. Launched by The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), Electrician Plus underscores the importance of qualified electricians for installing low-carbon and renewable technologies. Its model emphasises that after becoming a qualified electrician, electricians can build on their core competencies with additional continuing professional development (CPD) training and qualifications in specific new technologies to perform safe and compliant installations.


Green skills for the future Given the growing demand from NICEIC-certified businesses to upskill in key growth areas such as solar PV, EV charging and electrical energy storage systems (EESS), NICEIC has introduced a wide range of courses and qualifications designed to get electrical contractors skilled and confident in tackling all kinds of energy-efficient installations. By providing accessible training courses and industry-leading certifications, we can continue empowering trade professionals to be successful in our evolving industry.


www.niceic.com/training


32 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2025


electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


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