SKILLS SHORTAGE
Could do better The electrical industry needs to do more to attract, retain and develop staff if it is to address the talent shortage many firms are currently experiencing, says Ken Kerr
T
here is huge demand for skilled electricians but often not enough people to meet this. The main reason behind the shortage of electricians is the decline in the number of electrical apprentices entering this field – meaning there are not enough new recruits lined up to replace retiring electricians. Companies in the industry need to do more to promote the benefits of becoming an electrician, starting by going into secondary schools and speaking to 13-to-14-year-olds to offer work experience. This is the best way to promote the reality of working in the industry and make sure it’s an attractive alternative to a university degree when school finishes. Subjects chosen during the final school years can then be geared towards starting a career in the trade. With an electrical trade you can start earning a wage straight away, while gaining valuable industry knowledge and hands-on experience. In the UK, fewer than 1% of electricians are female. It’s a dismal figure, and it’s not just the electrical industry that has this issue.
The inclusion of women can bring a change of culture and a more professional work environment, leading to better productivity as people are happier at work. There are also practical situations that arise on a regular basis where having more women would be useful – for example a national health club provider with female changing rooms that requires maintenance during operating hours. All this raises the question: just who is responsible for continual personal development? It’s sorely lacking in the industry, making many active electricians feel neglected. An interesting observation from our data is that only 12 out of 1,000 electricians who signed up with us during 2019 have a valid first aid certificate. Who is responsible for this? The individual? The contractor? The agency? The answer is we’re all responsible for promoting good practice and investing in people, whether it’s people taking their first steps in the industry or those looking to develop their career. Ken Kerr is technical manager at Sparky Hire
IN FO C U S / LU K E W ICH ARD How did you get into the industry?
I’ve always loved electrics. I went to college, did an apprenticeship for four years, and then joined another company. I started doing private work and decided to give it a go on my own back in 2010.
As ‘My Trusted Electrician’, you make YouTube videos about your work. How has that helped?
I’d like to move into commercial, go back to lighting design and get involved in smart homes.
next couple of years?
I use it almost as a testimonial – you can’t fake a video of yourself doing a job.
Will you be going away this summer?
This year I’m dedicating to work. Does anyone help you?
What work do you take on?
I started off doing lighting design, but it was a bit big to do as a one-man band. Now I mainly do domestic and small commercial work.
Luke Wichard, My Trusted Electrician
It’s just me, and my wife does one day a week. I’m thinking about taking on a large contract which might mean I need an engineer. What’s the hardest bit about working for yourself?
Whereabouts do you cover?
Wearing all the hats!
I’m based in Carshalton and cover that and surrounding areas.
What are your plans for the
What do you get up to outside work?
Mainly YouTube. People don’t realise how long it takes to create a 20-minute video. If you are a small business or sole trader and would like to feature in In Focus, email infocus@redactive.co.uk
18 SUMMER 2019
18 Winter 2010-11 NICEIC Connections 18 Opinion_Connections Summer 2019_Connections 18
www.niceic.com 12/07/2019 10:08
