Collaboration addresses electric vehicle charger skills gap

College launches initiative with support of contractor to deliver training in growing sector

A Hertfordshire college and an industry specialist have come together to launch an electric vehicle charge point training programme.

The ElectrAssure Training Academy, at North Hertfordshire College in Stevenage, was inaugurated at the college’s engineering and construction campus in April.

The college is partnering with leading Letchworth-based EV charging contractor ElectrAssure to support training to counter industry skills gaps.

ElectrAssure Operations Director Alun Davies said: “We are really pleased to be working with the college on this training academy to provide skills delivery identified and required within the industry. The creation of the ElectrAssure Training Academy enables electricians to access this training locally and supports the development of sustainable technologies and skills required to deliver and support the growing requirement for electrical vehicle charge points locally, regionally and nationally.”

The new academy will support delivery of the college’s new Level 3 Award in the design and installation of domestic and small commercial electric vehicle charging installations. This is designed to allow qualified electricians to upskill in EV charge point installation and diagnostics, and give existing learners and apprentices access to modules on green and sustainable technologies.

College Principal and CEO Kit Davies added: “This is a great example of how North Hertfordshire College is working closely with employers and industry specialists to identify and meet the skills gaps locally, preparing learners with the skills required both now and in the future.”

Attending the launch were Stevenage Development Board and Hertfordshire LEP Chair Adrian Hawkins, industry specialists, including National Grid Senior Project Manager Gavin Posnett, and representatives from local employers.

Mr Posnett said: “I have really fond memories of my time as an apprentice, so I’m delighted to see the return of the modern apprenticeship. I believe this partnership between ElectrAssure and North Hertfordshire College will equip the next generation of electrical engineers with the skills they need to shape a greener future for transportation.” my apprenticeship with a sports business management degree, four years’ work experience within the football sector, industry contacts,

By 2035, all new cars registered in Europe will have to have zero emissions, and EV charge points are essential in this change. There are about 57,000 charge points in the UK today, and the network needs to expand to 500,000 by 2030.

Football and futsal mad Maisie O’Shea explains how doing a sports business management degree apprenticeship with the University of Hertfordshire is helping her achieve the career of her dreams

Maisie O’Shea (19) hadn’t initially intended to apply for a degree apprenticeship. In her final year at school, she had only been aware of the traditional degree route: apply for undergraduate courses, secure a place, study for three to four years and then pursue the dream career you want.

For Maisie that dream is to one day work as a football business manager within the para football sector. A passionate and highly skilled football and futsal player and coach, playing and supporting a number of the country’s top leagues, she is also a huge advocate for accessibility within sport as someone registered disabled due to profound hearing loss since childhood.

Knowing a degree would be imperative to achieving her goals, she applied to study sports management at five UK universities and secured conditional offers at each one.

It was good news, and she was ready for the next step. That is, until a wild card was sent her way: the option to do a sport business management degree apprenticeship with the University of Hertfordshire, in partnership with Hertfordshire FA, a not-for-profit developing grassroots football in Hertfordshire.

“My mum saw it advertised online and was like ‘this is perfect for you!’” explains Maisie, from Winchmore Hill in North London. “The more I read into it, the more I agreed. It would be less studying, lots of hands-on experience within a football role, I could commute from home and would be getting paid to get a degree – it felt like a no brainer!”

Maisie applied, got invited for an interview and was successful. She’s now been working as a football development apprentice, specialising in equality and inclusion, with Hertfordshire FA since September 2023. Every term time week consists of one full day at the University, around two hours of coursework, and then four days working 9am-5pm with Hertfordshire FA – two of which are conducted remotely.

“I’m really enjoying it,” she says. “I have a good balance between study and work right now, plus can still manage all my extra-curricular sports training, playing and coaching.

“I also believe for certain roles you can learn so much more by being hands on than just sitting in a classroom. From basic things such as how to use office software, to how to communicate, network and present yourself appropriately –that all comes from on-the-job experience.”

Maisie says she would highly recommend doing a degree apprenticeship to others. “By going down the apprenticeship route, I’ll finish my education with a sports business management degree, four years’ work experience within the football sector, industry contacts, no student debt and – hopefully - a big foot in the door,” she finishes. “It’s really exciting.”

The University of Hertfordshire currently supports nearly 900 apprentices across multiple, different subject areas ranging from chartered management to nursing. Following two successful funding bids, they are expecting to onboard a further 500 apprentices, plus increase their subject offering with eight new degree level apprenticeships in speech and language therapy, accounting finance, therapeutic radiography, diagnostic radiography, social work, dietetics, data science and civil engineering.

For more information on the University of Hertfordshire’s higher and degree apprenticeship provision for either businesses or learners, please visit https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/apprenticeship-study or contact one of the team on apprenticeships@herts.ac.uk

“As well as increasing capacity for people upskilling in these key subject areas, the aim of our apprenticeships is to boost equality of opportunity for Level 6-degree apprenticeships, especially for those living in or around Hertfordshire,” explains Celeste Jones, Associate Director for Apprenticeships and Professional Programmes at the University of Hertfordshire.

“Maisie is a great example of someone who not only benefits hugely from our apprenticeship offering right now, but is setting herself up for a really exciting and successful future. Meanwhile Hertfordshire FA are benefitting from a passionate and knowledgeable apprentice, full of fresh ideas and enthusiasm. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, and I look forward to seeing how both sides progress as a result.”

The University currently has over 250 employer partners for its higher and degree apprenticeships programme. Rated the best university for social mobility in the East of England, 79.9% of its students pass their apprenticeship, 94% of whom achieve a 1st or 2:1 award on programmes that include an undergraduate degree.

“It’s no surprise degree apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular route for employers,” added Celeste. “Employers looking to develop people in any of our degree apprenticeship career areas can turn to us for the high quality support they need. By working together, we can deliver relevant education programmes that directly address their skills gaps to strengthen resource and output.

“Thinking ‘Apprenticeship first’ when creating a vacancy in your organisation is a sure-fire way of getting more interest and applicants to the role.”