News Extra
Government champions electrotechnical skills as priority for England’s future workforce
The ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association) has welcomed Skills England’s assessment, published last month, which confirms that electricians and electrical engineers are two of the careers expected to see the most growth in the next five years.
T
he assessment also states that electrotechnical occupations are key to multiple sectors, including clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence and digital technologies. This align with ECA’s own Blueprint for Electrification report evidencing how vital the electrotechnical industry is to the whole economy.
ECA’s Recharging Electrical Skills Charter puts forward several policy proposals designed to help the UK meet the growing demand for electrical skills – including more funding targeted towards apprenticeships and other industry-agreed training routes.
Andrew Eldred, Deputy CEO of ECA, said: “Skills England’s assessment highlights the urgency of the need to reverse a decline in the skilled
electrical workforce over the past five years. “Electricians and SME electrical contractors are now a vital national resource. Closer dialogue and collaboration between Government and industry are essential if we are to meet the ever increasing demand for electrical skills.”
“According to Skills England’s analysis, employment demand in priority occupations is expected to increase by 15% by 2030.”
According to Skills England’s analysis, employment demand in priority occupations is expected to increase by 15% by 2030, from 5.9 million in 2025 to 6.7 million in 2030. This is 1.6 times faster than other employment in these sectors, which is expected to increase by 0.8 million, a 9% increase from 8.9 million in 2025.
Read the full Assessment of priority skills to
2030 at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/assessment-of-priority- skills-to-2030.
£1 million Electrical Safety A
pplications opened from Monday 1 September as part of consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First’s annual Electrical Safety Fund, breathing life into local projects aimed at educating the public, protecting them against the risks posed by electrical dangers and encouraging safer consumer behaviours.
This year, the Fund is also open to organisations looking to deliver safer electrical installations in homes and communities. Interested organisations and community groups have from Monday 1 September until Sunday 12 October to apply.
Last year, the Fund supported more than 100 projects, reaching nearly half a million people across all parts of the United Kingdom and directly benefiting 47,000 individuals through initiatives, such as repair cafes, portable appliance testing and replacement events.
32 | electrical wholesaler October 2025
Immersive initiatives were also funded, including virtual reality experiences raising the profile of electrical dangers to school children, as well as theatre productions in schools and safety workshops for vulnerable groups. Among them was Flosverse, an educational social enterprise based in Scotland that created a virtual reality experience allowing users to walk through a home and test their knowledge on whether its electrical appliances were being used safely or pose a risk.
Another project, the Safe Home Initiative led by electrical testing organisation Hawkesworth and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, tackled the growing risks posed by unsafe and often counterfeit electrical products sold online. They offered free home visits to vulnerable residents to carry out safety inspections, test electrical items and provide advice or replacements where needed.
Samuel Terry, research and outreach manager
Fund opens for applications A record £1 million fund will be available to local organisations, with the aim of funding initiatives to protect people from electrical risks in the home.
at Electrical Safety First, said: “Electricity is part of our everyday lives and often overlooked, but when the wiring or products in our homes are faulty, poorly made or misused, the consequences can be devastating. Last year, the fund supported more than 100 projects which reached thousands of people across the country. By backing innovative local projects that raise awareness, change behaviour and tackle dangerous electrical installations and products head-on, we can help prevent tragedies and make a real difference to people’s lives.”
ewnews.co.uk
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