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13th October 2026

Enginuity Skills Awards 2027: nominations now open

Nominations are now open for the Enginuity Skills Awards 2027, in partnership with Babcock, celebrating the individuals and organisations making a difference to engineering and manufacturing skills across the UK. Now in their 13th year, the Enginuity Skills Awards recognise apprentices, educators, training providers and employers who are championing skills excellence, driving innovation and helping […]

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13th October 2026

New podcast with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith

Plans to introduce technical subjects into the curriculum for pupils aged 14, alongside reforms to the apprenticeship system, could bring significant changes to vocational education. But what might these developments mean for the future of skills policy? UK Skills Minister Jacqui Smith discussed these questions with Steph McGovern on Enginuity’s Steph on Skills Podcast, recorded during […]

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9th October 2026

Teenagers back vocational reforms and defy outdated stigma

Teenagers have thrown their support behind a shake-up to vocational learning as the Government steps up efforts to tackle youth unemployment and challenge outdated attitudes towards technical education. The majority of young people (84%) overwhelmingly support new options for 14-year-olds that combine practical technical learning (such as coding, construction or manufacturing) with core academic subjects […]

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9th October 2026

New HPA UK guidance for installers: insulating external pipework for air-water heat pumps

Heat Pump Association UK (HPA UK) has launched a new guidance document for heat pump installers describing the key considerations when insulating external hydraulic pipework of monobloc air-to-water heat pumps (AWHP) located outdoors within the curtilage of a residential dwelling. Endorsed by MCS, this new guide is the latest in HPA UK’s series of technical guidance […]

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9th October 2026

Apprentice-turned-President Sam Hubbard to lead the Institution of Engineering and Technology

Engineer Sam Hubbard has been appointed as the 156th President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), bringing a presidency focused on championing apprentices, technicians and the diverse routes into engineering that help build the profession’s future workforce. With more than 30 years’ experience across paper manufacturing and the nuclear sector, Sam’s presidential focus, […]

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6th October 2026

Sussex skills alliance launched to grow next generation of electrical talent

A new Sussex skills alliance has been launched to help tackle electrical workforce shortages and strengthen the region’s pipeline of qualified electrotechnical talent. The Sussex Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA), led by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), brings employers, colleges, manufacturers and skills bodies together to close the gap between local training provision and […]

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6th October 2026

Grant UK supports Jersey Green Skills Academy

Jersey Electricity and Highlands College have launched their Green Skills Academy to support the training of 36 low-carbon heating technicians in Jersey by 2030. Grant UK is supporting this initiative with the supply of heat pump equipment for training and assessment. A partnership between Jersey Electricity, Highlands College and local industry is striving to overcome […]

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6th October 2026

Baxi’s Uncapped Cashback Offer returns for another heating season

Baxi has brought back its uncapped cashback offer by popular demand, making £300 available to installers for every three Baxi 600 or 800 boilers installed and registered on Baxi Works. Running from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, the promotion applies to all models within the Baxi 600 and 800 ranges. Baxi Works members who install […]

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5th October 2026

Water sector electrical skills crisis threatens critical infrastructure delivery, ECA warns

Britain’s water sector faces a growing crisis that could slow the delivery of vital infrastructure upgrades unless industry acts now, the Electrotechnical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has warned. The warning follows an ECA industry roundtable, where contractors, training specialists and water sector representatives highlighted acute shortages in specialist electrical skills are becoming a major barrier to […]

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5th October 2026

£2,000 boost for small businesses who take on young apprentices

Smaller businesses backing the next generation will receive £2,000 for every new young apprentice they take on, opening more doors for young people into skilled careers across the country. Backed by the Federation of Small Businesses, the move will help non-levy paying employers, which are typically small- and medium-sized enterprises, to cover the costs of […]

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5th October 2026

SELECT teams up with Luceco Group to help small businesses across Scotland with new £18,000 Powering Potential apprentice funding initiative

Campaigning trade body SELECT has partnered with Luceco Group to launch an ambitious new initiative that will deliver much-needed apprentice funding to small businesses across Scotland. The construction trade association has teamed up with the manufacturer to unveil the Powering Potential initiative, which will see three SELECT member firms receive £6,000 each to help support the cost of a […]

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5th October 2026

Electrotechnical sector celebrates ‘Untapped Potential’ of the industry at Labour Party Conference

On 28 September, ECA, JTL Training and the JIB hosted an evening reception in Liverpool during the Labour Party Conference. The event, Electrifying Our Future – Untapped Potential, marked the first dedicated electrical sector fringe event of its kind at the Labour Party Conference, bringing together political and industry representatives to celebrate the contribution of the […]

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30th September 2026

Autumn 2026 issue out now!

The first issue of Electrical & Plumbing Skills magazine is now available in digital and print formats. What’s inside? Read the Autumn 2026 issue here Would you like to receive a free regular copy of Electrical & Plumbing Skills in the post? Let us know by emailing info@electricalandplumbingskills.com

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29th September 2026

Chancellor backs young people into work by supporting jobs

The Chancellor has announced a package to help people into work, education and training, while building the skilled workforce Britain needs for the future. The package will see the National Wealth Fund used to create and support 130,000 jobs across the UK, expanding local apprenticeship services to connect more young people with employers, and restoring […]

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29th September 2026

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 crowns champions

The WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 closing ceremony took place on 27 September, with Team UK picking up two gold, one silver and three bronze medals, as well as 13 Medals for Excellence, which are awarded to those who have shown they can achieve world-class standards. This year marked the strongest Team UK performance since 2017. Among […]

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29th September 2026

New heat pump training centre opens at North Devon College

North Devon College has teamed up with heating technology manufacturer Vaillant Group UK to open a new specialist heat pump training centre in Barnstaple, giving installers and young people in the region better access to low-carbon heating systems. Officially opened on 15 September, the new Low Carbon Training Centre at North Devon College’s Barnstaple campus […]

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27th September 2026

CIPHE and IWSH team up to create lasting legacy following World Plumbing Conference

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has teamed up with the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) to donate equipment used at this year’s UK Skills Forum to Euston Skills Centre in London, where it will be used to train the next generation of plumbing and heating engineers. The invitational UK Skills Forum took […]

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27th September 2026

Calling all apprentices: entries open for the Installer Awards 2027

Entries are now open for the Installer Awards 2027, with heating installers, HVAC engineers, plumbers and apprentices from across the UK invited to showcase their skills and compete for some of the industry’s most prestigious accolades. Bringing together the long-running Heating Installer Awards and The Plumber Awards under one umbrella, the Installer Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, technical expertise and […]

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All Articles

Enginuity Skills Awards 2027: nominations now open

New podcast with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith

Teenagers back vocational reforms and defy outdated stigma

New HPA UK guidance for installers: insulating external pipework for air-water heat pumps

Apprentice-turned-President Sam Hubbard to lead the Institution of Engineering and Technology

Sussex skills alliance launched to grow next generation of electrical talent

Grant UK supports Jersey Green Skills Academy

Baxi’s Uncapped Cashback Offer returns for another heating season

Water sector electrical skills crisis threatens critical infrastructure delivery, ECA warns

£2,000 boost for small businesses who take on young apprentices

SELECT teams up with Luceco Group to help small businesses across Scotland with new £18,000 Powering Potential apprentice funding initiative

Electrotechnical sector celebrates ‘Untapped Potential’ of the industry at Labour Party Conference

Autumn 2026 issue out now!

Chancellor backs young people into work by supporting jobs

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 crowns champions

New heat pump training centre opens at North Devon College

CIPHE and IWSH team up to create lasting legacy following World Plumbing Conference

Calling all apprentices: entries open for the Installer Awards 2027

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