News – Electrical & Plumbing Skills

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The latest industry news for employers, educators, and learners…

News

12th June 2026

JTL hosts parliamentary reception on the future of the plumbing workforce

This week JTL welcomed MPs and peers, senior civil servants, plumbing industry stakeholders and employers to a parliamentary reception focused on the future of the plumbing workforce and the role of apprenticeships in strengthening the skills pipeline. The event provided a timely opportunity to explore the significant challenges facing the sector, including workforce shortages, falling […]

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News

10th June 2026

Martindale’s ‘safe isolation procedure checklist’ for safer working

Martindale Electric has created a practical and comprehensive checklist to help organisations generate procedures for safe isolation and demonstrate that it is carried out correctly, consistently, and in line with the Electricity at Work Regulations. Failure to correctly isolate electrical circuits is one of the most common causes of serious injury and fatal accidents in electrical […]

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News

10th June 2026

Energy Minister visits refurbished Daikin Manchester facility to witness green upskilling boom

Daikin UK has welcomed Martin McCluskey, Minister for Energy Consumers, to its new Manchester training facility to see first-hand how the Government’s Heat Training Grant is helping to accelerate workforce development across the low-carbon heating sector. The visit provided an opportunity for the Minister to meet installers currently undertaking heat pump training, hear directly from […]

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News

9th June 2026

Earthing and bonding: what’s the difference?

Earthing and bonding can be the source of much confusion. Visit the Learning Zone to download our latest technical PDF, Earthing and bonding: what’s the difference?, which looks at the basic principles and breaks down some of the common misconceptions. Covering: Click here to access this document in the Learning Zone

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News

4th June 2026

Research reveals strong satisfaction among heat pump trainees

Hundreds of heat pump engineers are satisfied with their training in the clean energy jobs of the future thanks to a Government-backed scheme, as shown in new research published today (Thursday 4 June). Results from the mid-scheme review of the Government’s multi-million-pound Heat Training Grant show 94% of those surveyed said they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the training […]

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News

3rd June 2026

Deadline extended: Enter the ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award

Deadline extended to Friday 3 July! Entries are now open for ECA Member businesses to put forward their standout apprentices, or for the apprentices themselves to enter, for the ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award. In ECA’s 125th anniversary year, and in partnership with Edmundson Electrical, the award recognises exceptional apprentices from ECA Member […]

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News

3rd June 2026

Skills Minister opens JTL’s £1m Thames Valley Training Centre to boost electrical and low-carbon skills

On Thursday 28 May 2026, Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, visited JTL Thames Valley in Wheatley, Oxfordshire to meet with electrical apprentices, local employers and industry partners, and to see first-hand how JTL is supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople. She officially declared the centre open with the push of a button – […]

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News

3rd June 2026

Celebrating JTL’s Regional Award Winners 2026

JTL is delighted to announce the regional winners of the JTL Apprenticeship Awards 2026, recognising the outstanding achievements of apprentices, tutors and training officers across the country. The awards celebrate excellence in apprenticeship training and highlight the dedication, skill and commitment demonstrated by individuals helping to shape the future of the building services engineering sector. […]

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News

3rd June 2026

Landmark report sets out action to address key skills gaps

Skills England published its Annual Skills Report on 1 June, marking its first anniversary with a comprehensive assessment of current and future skills needs. The Alan Milburn interim report into young people and work, published last week, found that nearly one million 16 to 24-year-olds are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), underlining the need […]

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News

3rd June 2026

Government offers 300,000 new work experience and training placements

Young people across the country will be helped onto the career ladder thanks to the creation of 300,000 new work experience and training placements in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality. The new placements, part of a £2.5 billion youth employment support package, will see young people gain hands-on experience, build real […]

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News

21st May 2026

Daikin launches its Summer Series of networking events

Daikin UK is pleased to announce its Summer Series, an exclusive programme of networking events designed to connect, inspire and empower professional HVAC installers shaping the future of low-carbon buildings across the commercial sector. Taking place at prestigious venues across the UK from May to July 2026, the Summer Series will offer a rich agenda […]

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News

21st May 2026

ECA urges Skills England to back low-carbon skills with training that protects safety and competence

ECA has welcomed Skills England’s ambition to strengthen the UK’s workforce for the low-carbon transition, including in areas such as EV charge points and solar PV. However, it is warning that fast-tracked apprenticeship units must not come at the expense of electrical safety, competence and industry-recognised standards. Keith Sanderson, Head of Education and Skills at ECA, […]

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News

21st May 2026

Regional funding to train next generation of construction workers

Tens of thousands of placements will be created for aspiring construction workers in a £96 million boost to train new talent and build more homes. Funding is set to be allocated across the country on Friday 22 May to provide hands-on learning and boost employability for learners who start their construction courses from this September. The construction industry is facing significant shortages, with the latest Office for National Statistics figures showing that […]

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News

19th May 2026

Apprentice electrician from Somerset crowned Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026

Apprentice electrician Gracie Donaghy has beaten more than 3,000 apprentices from across the UK and Ireland to be crowned one of two champions at this year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition. For the first time in the award’s history, two apprentices took home the title, with apprentice stonemason Petra O’Flaherty also named as a winner. Gracie, […]

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News

14th May 2026

Virtual College launches new 18th Edition courses

Online compliance training platform, Virtual College, has launched a new 18th Edition Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671 course, including Amendment 4 updates. The course is available exclusively through the Virtual College platform and the NICEIC, the leading certification body for the electrical contracting industry. The e-learning course provides a complete introduction to the full scope […]

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News

13th May 2026

PM vows to tear up ‘status quo’ that failed young people on apprenticeships and skills

The Prime Minister met with apprentices yesterday (Tuesday 12 May) to underline the Government’s drive to overhaul the apprenticeship system, break down barriers to opportunity for young people and ensure the economy works for people in every part of the country. Apprenticeships are being placed at the heart of a new approach to skills, giving […]

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News

13th May 2026

NICEIC launches 20% discount on e-learning courses

NICEIC is offering a 20% discount on e-learning training courses until the end of May. NICEIC’s e-learning options make it easier than ever to get the skills you need, whilst fitting modules in around your existing schedule. Delivered online, NICEIC e-learning provides a structured explanation of key concepts you can follow at your own pace. […]

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News

13th May 2026

Upskill qualified electricians to maintain safe standards in renewable technology, says JIB

On 1 May 2026 FE Week reported on industry concerns about renewable technology training courses. Those which follow the Government-backed ‘Skills Bootcamp’ model are highlighted as particularly worrying, in terms of teaching methods and the quality of assessment. These are short-cut routes which do not result in competent installers and therefore undermine safety. Experts within the electrotechnical […]

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All News Articles

JTL hosts parliamentary reception on the future of the plumbing workforce

Martindale’s ‘safe isolation procedure checklist’ for safer working

Energy Minister visits refurbished Daikin Manchester facility to witness green upskilling boom

Earthing and bonding: what’s the difference?

Research reveals strong satisfaction among heat pump trainees

Deadline extended: Enter the ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award

Skills Minister opens JTL’s £1m Thames Valley Training Centre to boost electrical and low-carbon skills

Celebrating JTL’s Regional Award Winners 2026

Landmark report sets out action to address key skills gaps

Government offers 300,000 new work experience and training placements

Daikin launches its Summer Series of networking events

ECA urges Skills England to back low-carbon skills with training that protects safety and competence

Regional funding to train next generation of construction workers

Apprentice electrician from Somerset crowned Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026

Virtual College launches new 18th Edition courses

PM vows to tear up ‘status quo’ that failed young people on apprenticeships and skills

NICEIC launches 20% discount on e-learning courses

Upskill qualified electricians to maintain safe standards in renewable technology, says JIB

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