Many people already know that we like to grow the MSE team through apprenticeships. We believe apprenticeships offer great opportunities to combine practical experience with formal learning and training. However, like all other trade sectors, there aren’t enough people entering the profession, despite increasing demand.
The apprenticeship gap
A new report on the state of apprenticeships in the UK found that the electrical sector faces the biggest gap between need and availability of apprentices. This means there are over 9,600 unfilled apprentice positions.
The research included information from the Department for Education, the Office of National Statistics, and the job board site Reed. It shows that training pathways are under strain, leaving under-provision of essential skills in the country’s workforce. Over 100 employers are competing for every apprenticeship place, meaning there are more than 86,000 unfilled vacancies.
Electrical apprenticeships
Across the electrical sector the top shortage is in electrical building services, with over 280 jobs for each qualified apprentice. Since 2021/22 people starting apprenticeships has increased by over one third. However not everyone completes their course, leaving workplace skills requirements unmet.
In electrical engineering more apprentices complete their courses, but the skills gap remains. Sadly, for electrical installation and maintenance only four out of 10 complete their courses. However, the shortfall is lower than in some other electrical categories.
Meeting the country’s needs
This skills gap could ultimately undermine the UK’s industrial and commercial strategy. Forecasts show electricity demand will rise by around 10% to 2030. However, since 2018, the workforce in the electrical installation and maintenance sector has fallen by a quarter. What’s more, the situation isn’t improving overall.
A top priority is to encourage apprentices to complete their courses. This is an important task for employers, trainers and policy makers. Apprentices need to see that they have a realistic career path ahead of them. Highlighting the opportunities within the country’s major infrastructure projects could help highlight what’s possible.
Partnerships between employers and local colleges, flexible learning approaches and clearly defined roles will help. Moving ahead, the sector needs improved workforce planning, better training frameworks, and support for apprentices to complete their courses.
We aren’t currently recruiting apprentices, but please get in touch to find out more about careers in electrical installation and maintenance.
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