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apprenticeship
|12th June 2026
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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|3rd June 2026
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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|3rd June 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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|3rd June 2026
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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|21st May 2026
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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|21st May 2026
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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|19th May 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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|13th May 2026
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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|6th May 2026
Industry contributors say high quality apprenticeships deliver measurable business returns – boosting productivity, retention and capacity for SMEs across the supply chain. Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), the Joint Industry Board (JIB) and independent training provider JTL are urging employers across construction, engineering and building services to treat apprenticeships as a strategic investment, not a cost, […]
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|6th May 2026
Josh Babarinde MP visited JTL’s training centre in Eastbourne to meet apprentices, employers and industry partners, and to discuss how apprenticeship opportunities can be strengthened across the region. The visit coincided with a trade morning event hosted at the centre in partnership with City Electrical Factors (CEF), bringing together local employers and suppliers to showcase tools, equipment and share industry knowledge. The event […]
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|5th May 2026
As the apprenticeship landscape continues to evolve, EAL is updating its customers – including training providers, employers and partners – on the latest developments relating to apprenticeship assessment and standards. Standards revisions: what’s happening now Almost all of the apprenticeship standards EAL currently offers are now in revision. This reflects the wider reform programme aimed at ensuring apprenticeships remain high‑quality, relevant, and […]
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|28th April 2026
A talented apprentice from Manchester is celebrating after being named one of the top ten finalists in this year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition. Cary Rudd, aged 20, who is currently studying a City and Guilds qualification in Plumbing and Heating at Salford City Skills, fought off strong competition from more than 3,000 applicants from across […]
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|28th April 2026
Five talented electrical apprentices from across the UK & Ireland are celebrating after being named as top ten finalists in this year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition. Each of the finalists fought off strong competition from more than 3,000 applicants from across the UK and Ireland to secure a coveted place in the national final and […]
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|21st April 2026
LCL Awards welcomes new Qualifications Manager (QM), Toni Oakley-Tulk. Specialising in plumbing, renewables and F-Gas, Toni joins the leading Awarding Organisation with a wealth of experience in engineering and training, including positions at British Gas, Homeserve and Viessmann. Toni said: “I’m looking forward to being involved in shaping some of LCL Awards’ qualifications, fine-tuning them to […]
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|17th April 2026
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 businesses across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. […]
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|16th April 2026
CIPHE, in partnership with awarding organisations, has released an update on the proposed Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeship standards, including important changes and potential delays. The newly proposed Level 2 and Level 3-CIPHE led apprenticeship standards have been challenged by other industry stakeholders. In response, Skills England through the Apprenticeship Reforms, has established an […]
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|14th April 2026
City & Guilds news and insights The plumbing and heating industry across England is facing widening skills gaps and rapid technological advancement, creating challenges for providers and employers. However, upcoming education reform with the sector presents a critical moment for the future of plumbing and heating skills – and the opportunity for meaningful improvement has […]
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|14th April 2026
Around 65,000 learners will now have access to training for high-demand jobs in Britain’s fastest-growing industries, as the Government rolls out the next wave of Technical Excellence Colleges as part of the Industrial Strategy. Backed by £175 million of government funding, 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the country will deliver high-quality training in the […]
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