Two-thirds of UK homeowners plan to invest in green home upgrades over the next decade, with a record one in four aiming to start within the next year, according to NatWest’s Greener Homes Attitude Tracker. EV chargers, solar panels, triple glazing and heat pumps top the list of planned improvements, but cost remains the biggest barrier, cited by 74% of households, alongside debt concerns, disruption from installation and limited finance options. The survey also highlights an income divide, with higher-earning households far more likely to commit to long-term upgrades.

New NICEIC research reveals that interactions between homeowners and tradespeople are becoming more transactional, with younger generations far less likely to offer traditional courtesies. While 81% of over-55s would make a tradesperson a cup of tea, just 45% of 25–34-year-olds said the same, and only a third would allow casual conversation. The study also highlights concerns around wellbeing, with 82% of tradespeople reporting stress or mental health challenges, and rising levels of mistrust as more households monitor work closely or via security cameras.

UK Power Networks, working with SGN, NESO and Guidehouse, has launched Indus 2.0, a research project designed to reveal how UK industry consumes energy and what this means for the transition to Net Zero. The initiative will create the first secure data-sharing platform between electricity and gas networks, helping operators forecast demand more accurately, plan smarter infrastructure and support decarbonisation across both large industrial clusters and smaller, dispersed sites.

London’s riverfront is set to welcome a striking new addition. Opening next month, the 1.5-acre Bazalgette Embankment at Blackfriars will offer a landscaped public space that fuses engineering, art, and greenery. Created as part of the £4.5 billion Thames Tideway “super-sewer” project, this innovative riverside park sits above one of the most ambitious infrastructure schemes in the capital’s history. Designed to intercept millions of tonnes of sewage from entering the Thames each year, the tunnel beneath has transformed environmental protection for the river. Above ground, the embankment provides new seating, planting, and views across the water, giving Londoners a space that is both beautiful and born from groundbreaking engineering.

Trade workers in Scotland, including joiners, labourers, painters, electricians, and other skilled workers, have agreed to a new two-year pay deal with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). The agreement, which affects those working on local government projects and outsourced maintenance of council buildings and housing, includes several financial benefits.

New insights from B&Q show that 39% of young tradespeople were drawn to the profession because of its strong career prospects. Additionally, 30% view it as a way to harness their entrepreneurial drive and possibly start their own business. This shift reflects a new generation of tradespeople who see their work not just as a craft, but as an exciting and sustainable business opportunity.

Elon Musk's Tesla has applied to the UK's energy regulator, Ofgem, for a licence to supply electricity to homes and businesses across England, Scotland, and Wales. If approved, Tesla Electric could begin operations as early as 2026, competing with established providers like British Gas and Octopus Energy.

The demand for skilled workers in the construction sector is rapidly increasing. Recent insights from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) reveal that an estimated 140,000 additional construction workers will be needed annually over the next five years to meet the growing need for home retrofitting and energy efficiency improvements.

Leading mechanical and electrical engineering firm, Salko UK, is accelerating its presence within the UK’s nuclear sector as it strengthens its team of security cleared professionals deployed on critical national infrastructure projects.

In 2024, something quietly historic occurred in the UK: for the first time ever, renewable energy sources generated more electricity than fossil fuels across an entire year. According to data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), clean energy technologies, including wind, solar, bioenergy and hydro, collectively produced 50.4% of the UK’s electricity. This figure represents more than just a milestone, it marks a fundamental shift in the very fabric of our energy system.

Yet while headlines have heralded this "tipping point", the reality is more complex. Beneath the surface of the statistics lies a multifaceted story of technological advancement, policy delays and looming challenges. Let us explore what is truly happening, and what it means for households, investors and the planet.

In shaping the future of engineering, innovation alone isn’t enough, true progress also requires inclusion. That message took centre stage at Together We Engineer, a recent event cohosted by the Building Controls Industry Association’s (BCIA) Young Engineers Network (YEN) and CIBSE’s Women in Building Services Engineering (WIBSE). The event highlighted how visibility, collaboration, and accessible pathways into the industry are key to nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals.ing the engineering field.

Thinking about switching to an electric car? The UK government just announced a new £3,750 grant to make EVs more affordable for everyday drivers — but not all models qualify.

Find out what this means for you, which cars are included, and how it ties into the UK’s net-zero goals.

NICEIC, the UK’s leading certification body for the electrical industry, has launched a powerful upgrade to its Find a Trusted Tradesperson tool – transforming the way householders and specifiers connect with trusted, local professionals.

The enhanced platform now delivers job leads directly to NICEIC-certified businesses, helping them grow through relevant, local opportunities – completely free of charge.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every sector of the global economy. From healthcare and finance to logistics and education, intelligent machines are streamlining processes, enhancing productivity, and in some cases, replacing human labour. As these changes ripple through the job market, many are asking: what does this mean for skilled trades such as plumbing, gas engineering, and electrical work?

The number of qualified electricians is falling rapidly—just as the demand for skilled labour across construction, housing, and infrastructure continues to rise. Without swift and coordinated intervention, the country risks significant delays to essential projects and a prolonged strain on the skilled trades sector.

As the UK accelerates toward its net-zero targets, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is not just a consumer trend — it’s reshaping infrastructure and creating sweeping demand for skilled professionals. A recent Electrical Times article highlights how “Generation E” — those in their 30s with environmentally conscious buying habits — are expected to drive widespread EV adoption over the next decade.

The UK has just approved BayWa’s 138MW Oaklands Farm Solar Project in Derbyshire — one of the largest of its kind. With construction set to begin in 2026, this project is powering more than just homes — it’s powering career opportunities for future electricians.

The demand for skilled electricians is growing rapidly — but women remain significantly underrepresented in the trade. In fact, only around 3% of the UK’s electrical workforce is female, despite the many opportunities and career benefits the sector offers. At Optima Electrical Training, we believe now is the time for change.