TRAINING BIRMINGHAM, NORWICH AND CARDIFF LEAD THE CHARGE FOR ELECTRICIAN GRADUATES The construction and manual trade industry is one of a few that has remained open for business throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only have workers and businesses been able to operate within social distancing guidelines (following an initial lockdown early last year), but the industry has gone from strength to strength, and with it, its appeal as a profession has rocketed. Online learning portal, Access Training UK revealed a 29% increase in applicants to its trade courses in 2020, including a noticeable 14% increase in female applicants. This increase could not come at a better time as construction activity levels have experienced a seven year high, whilst demand for home improvements have soared significantly, as homeowners look to renovate and re-design homes to adapt to a new way of living. Training to be an electrician has been the most popular avenue over the last year, with a 38% increase in trainees at Access Training UK, closely followed by gas engineer courses (29%), plumber courses (24%) and carpentry courses (13%). Access Training UK has highlighted which regions of the UK are leading the charge when it comes to electrician courses: Region
Percentage increase in graduates when comparing 2019/20 to 2020/21
Birmingham
66%
Norwich
50%
Cardiff
34%
Oxford and Liverpool
33%
Jamie Jefferies, CEO of Access Training UK, comments: “Construction and manual trades were some of the UK’s strongest sectors during the pandemic. There is also a huge skill shortage within the industry. Therefore, it is no surprise to see an increase in the number of graduates across the board, with the industry appealing to those looking for employment, but also those looking for a career change.
Bristol
28%
Access Training UK, accesstraininguk.co.uk
SUPPORTING SKILLS DEVOLUTION IN WALES
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRY LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATIONS
In April, ECA took centre stage in a webinar for teachers about the new Construction and Built Environment GCSE in Wales.
The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) is urging adults without a Level 3 qualification to take advantage of the current funding available for industry-recognised qualifications while it remains available.
Chris Jenkins, director of ECA member EFT Consult, Swansea, drew on his own career history to explain the broad variety of engineering services work and opportunities for further progression after qualifying in a skilled trade: “A life in the electrical industry can lead to a whole range of career prospects. You can progress into specialist fields – high voltage, fire systems, security, data networks, to name a few. You can also choose to progress into technical, operational and managerial roles – as an estimator, engineer, project manager or designer.” Chris was joined by ECA’s Employment and Skills Director, Andrew Eldred, who emphasised the importance of new entrants following the correct, industry-recognised training routes, rather than supposed shortcuts offered by some commercially driven organisations. The GCSE is part of a suite of new qualifications developed for Qualifications Wales. According to Allan Perry of Qualifications Wales, the GCSE is designed to “provide the foundations to enable learners to consider different careers within the construction industry.” Beyond the GCSE, students will be able to develop their knowledge and skills further through new foundation and progression qualifications, before moving on to a Level 3 qualification delivered alongside an updated Welsh apprenticeship framework. Roll-out of the new qualifications is due to take place in phases between September this year and next. ECA staff and members have been actively engaged in supporting and scrutinising these developments, working closely with both Qualifications Wales and the City and Guilds/EAL consortium appointed to create the foundation, progression and Level 3 qualifications. Increasingly, powers and responsibilities for skills policy are being devolved to national, regional and even local authorities. As such, ECA’s work in Wales marks an important step in establishing a close and productive dialogue with a devolved authority, which it now intends to replicate elsewhere.
Under the government’s ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’ any adult aged 19 or over in England, who does not already have a Level 3 qualification, can receive free training from hundreds of colleges and training providers across the country. The Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment), is included in the list of funded qualifications. This qualification assesses work-based performance and leads to recognition as a qualified electrician, as an alternative route to the apprenticeship or experienced worker assessment. Funding is also available for the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Electrical Installation. This is a key stepping stone on the industry approved training routes,
for those who wish to continue to develop their technical knowledge before gaining work experience. Those who complete the technical diploma must then gain work-based experience and complete the NVQ and the AM2 assessment to be recognised as a qualified electrician. Alternatively, there are many career routes in related sectors that welcome a level of electrical knowledge, including wider building services and data cabling. With both courses normally costing thousands of pounds to complete, the funding available will provide essential support to those looking to train or upskill to become a qualified electrician in line with the TESP approved training routes. TESP, the-esp.org.uk
ECA, eca.co.uk
18 | September 2021
Training.indd 18
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25/08/2021 10:04
