Addressing the Skills Crisis: Eastern England's Urgent Need for Electrical Workforce Development in the Era of Electrification
As the UK progresses towards electrification, Eastern England faces the risk of lagging behind unless immediate action is taken by regional stakeholders. The adoption of low carbon technologies can lead to reduced energy usage and lower bills. However, a critical shortage of skilled electricians to install these technologies means energy costs could continue to rise.
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has conducted research indicating a significant demographic challenge in Eastern England. The number of electricians retiring or leaving the field is outpacing the influx of new talent. A key issue identified is the disconnect between educational institutions and the industry in the region.
Core electrical work now includes the installation of low carbon technologies like Electric Vehicle Charge Points (EVCPs) and Solar PV. Without a sufficient number of electricians proficient in blending new technologies with existing infrastructure, the region's decarbonization efforts will be hindered.
Eastern England presents a contrasting scenario. Areas like Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk have historically had large numbers of resident electrical workers. Conversely, places like Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and the South East Midlands have among the fewest.
However, even in areas with larger workforces, there’s a precarious dependence on electricians migrating from other parts of the UK, many attracted by opportunities in London. This has led to an aging electrical workforce in the region, with 43% over the age of 50, and a 30% lower rate of young people entering the industry compared to the UK average. The apprentice recruitment rates in Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk are also among the country's lowest.
Andrew Eldred, ECA’s Director of Workforce and Public Affairs, highlights the urgent need for Further Education providers in the region to offer more apprenticeships and industry-recognized training pathways to address the demographic challenges.
He criticizes the overemphasis on classroom-based courses, which do not produce fully qualified electricians. The number of individuals enrolled in these courses far exceeds those starting apprenticeships, particularly in areas like Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex. With a mere 10% progression rate from college courses to apprenticeships, Eldred sees this as a significant waste of resources.
Eldred also stresses the importance of upskilling the existing electrical workforce in innovative technologies, including smart building controls.
A greater percentage of electrical businesses in Eastern England (30%) than in the rest of the UK (11%) report a lack of suitable training as a barrier to diversifying into net zero areas. The proficiency in technologies like heat pumps, smart buildings, and EVCPs is markedly lower in this region than in others.
Businesses in the region struggle to diversify due to inadequate access to net zero upskilling opportunities, which also hampers their future expansion plans, especially in areas like smart buildings and heat pumps.
The ECA is actively involved with Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) across England, receiving positive feedback from areas like Essex and New Anglia (Norfolk and Suffolk). Enhanced industry engagement with LSIPs is crucial to improve awareness among electrical SMEs about upskilling opportunities and to create stronger pathways from classroom-based courses to apprenticeships and employment.
Immediate efforts by training providers, businesses, and local governments are necessary to counter the impending decline in Eastern England’s electrical workforce, ensuring the region is better equipped for the energy transition.