Opinion
Filling the worker shortfall The UK is set to face a shortage of up to 250,000 tradespeople by
2030 – with electricians likely to be in the shortest supply. R
ussell Brazier, electrical pipe expert and owner of Transam Extrusions, believes that the answer lies in doing more to attract women to a career in the electrical trade industry.
In a survey of 1,000 young adults aged between 16 and 25, more than half (56%) said that during their time in school, they were never informed or encouraged to think about pursuing a job in a trade.
While 42% of young people wish they had known more about trade jobs before choosing their career path, half of them (49%) claimed they had never thought about a future in the trades. The result of this neglect towards trades could be seismic. By the end of the decade, it is estimated that there will be approximately 54,387 fewer electricians in the country than are required to meet demand, and the reasons behind this drastic shortfall appear to be deep-rooted within several areas of the country’s psyche.
That might be a big issue for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that the national attitude and approach is gradually becoming greener. Energy management systems, renewable energy sources like solar panels and solar water heaters, and energy-efficient lighting systems are increasingly popular house upgrades. And the nation’s shift to greener energy and cheaper bills will continue to be postponed as long as there is nobody available to do the work. However, the study also showed that there might be a fairly simple solution to close this huge supply- and-demand discrepancy.
There is a vast gender divide when it comes to careers across the various trades, with only 35% of young women saying they had considered a career in the trades, compared to 60% of young men. In addition to that alarming statistic, just 2% of the UK’s 900,000 tradespeople are women at this moment in time, but if the number of female tradespeople increased to just one-third of the current number of men, it would solve the UK’s projected 2030 tradesperson shortage. “Education is key to changing ingrained mindsets, so targeted outreach and education programmes could be key to getting more women into trades, said Russell.
“This would include targeting girls in schools and colleges with workshops, career talks, and hands-on demonstrations to spark interest at a
young age, as well as partnering with organisations that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for girls. From my experience, encouraging participation in STEM subjects can help break down stereotypes and show that careers in the electrical industry are viable and rewarding for women.”
Another approach that Russell believes would help the electrical industry is mentoring and establishing support networks, where experienced female electricians could guide and support newcomers. “Creating support networks and forums for women in the industry to share experiences and provide mutual support.” Russell also believes that inclusive workplace policies and promotional campaigns, along with some visible role models, would help break down
the barriers women currently face when it comes to working in a trade.
“It’s about time the trade industry got with the times and implemented family-friendly policies, such as flexible working hours, parental leave, and childcare support to make it more appealing and practical for women. Alongside that, diversity and inclusion training would also go a long way toward making the industry more attractive to people from all backgrounds.
“There’s a saying that you can only be what you can see, so by highlighting and celebrating the achievements of women in the electrical industry through promotional campaigns, we could inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps and make female electricians commonplace in the industry.”
20 | electrical wholesalerSeptember 2024
ewnews.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
