n By Keith Hatch ‘‘


We need to work together to deliver apprenticeships, … to deliver skills and we need to commit to work together to explore the opportunities that hundreds of electrical contractors in the JIB can provide


Jason Poulter, Unite national officer


along with Richard Clarke, Unite officer for apprenticeships and skills, joined speakers from the ECA, JIB, regional skills council and Welsh government in talking about the need for highly trained and competent workers in the region.


Richard set the scene, describing the importance of developing training and skills through industrial social partnerships, “that Unite is involved with to support electrical skills.”


Richard also went through quality training and standards, and the need for “proper long-term apprenticeships that involve work-based learning and time on the job to ensure the apprentice is competent on completion.”


Richard went onto highlight the Electrician Plus initiative around net zero CPD in areas such as Solar PV, Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS) and EV Charging (domestic, commercial and industrial), an initiative for fully qualified electricians, and not a shortcut for unqualified people to get involved the installation of renewables.


Richard also stressed the importance of assuring skills and competence, not least in safety critical areas like electrical installation and maintenance, with the ECS (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) administered by the JIB and SJIB playing a pivotal role in delivering this.


Furthermore with the establishment of the Building Safety Regulator under the HSE and its emphasis on competence assurance, he said that “Wales is ahead of the game on this with the Building


Safety Act Wales”, and summed up by saying that the established training system in electrical engineering and contracting provides a firm foundation to professionalise industry for a safer built environment for residents, building occupants and users, presenting an opportunity to help drive out rogue traders and rogue trainers.


He also stressed that governments and public authorities need to reward contractors who train people, employ apprentices and comply through socially responsible procurement, and that the development of “CPD for compliance with building safety requirements must have a meaningful system of re-evaluation that is not onerous on individuals.”


Andrew Eldred was also at the Cardiff event and said, “Electricians are essential to the future economic and social development of Wales, but at the moment, Wales doesn’t have enough electricians to meet demand. And Wales still isn’t training enough for the future.”


“However” Andrew added, “there are reasons to be cheerful” and he pointed to relatively good apprenticeship funding in Wales and a collective willingness to listen, talk things through and do better.”


Jason followed by highlighting that the Cardiff event is following on from the recent partnership set up in Greater Manchester and that a ETCA in Wales should aim for deliverable outcomes for communities around apprenticeships,


17 unite buildingWORKER Spring 2025


Richard Clarke - proper apprenticeships call


productive secure jobs and the highest standards of installation on projects


Jason showed delegates mapping and statistics that clearly showed industrial skills shortages. Jason said, “We know the level of skills through labour market apprentice stats, and we know areas that have a low level of electrical skills, and where the projects are needed that can support skilled workers.”


Jason invited delegates and organisations to work with Unite “to deliver skills strategies.


“We need to work together to deliver apprenticeships, we need to work together to deliver skills and we need to commit to work together to explore the opportunities that hundreds of electrical contractors in the JIB can provide.”


Trade unions have already been involved with policy development in Wales, putting forward consultation submissions for the Procurement Act and ensuring that union recognition is an area that will be included.


Throughout 2025 new Alliances will be launching throughout the UK and Unite will continue to be at the heart of them ensuring that highly skilled and well paid workers are central to their development.


‘‘


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