Wednesday 16th September 2026

News

News

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

News
News |

15th September 2026

Gas Safety Week 2026: Take No Chances

News |

15th September 2026

New episode of Grant UK’s Net Zero Heating Show now available

News |

14th September 2026

Local leaders have say on reforms to prepare youngsters for work

News |

14th September 2026

Younger homeowners more likely to trust a tradesperson based on looks

Electrical

Electrical

Electrical news, views, and product innovation...

Electrical
Electrical |

14th September 2026

Local leaders have say on reforms to prepare youngsters for work

Electrical |

10th September 2026

SELECT and SJIB warn against rise of rogue training providers and short courses

Electrical |

9th September 2026

Supporting the next generation: Martindale launches Electrical Learning Hub

Electrical |

2nd September 2026

Closing the skills gap: the value of apprenticeships

Plumbing & Heating

Plumbing & Heating

Plumbing & heating news, views, and product innovation...

Plumbing & Heating
Plumbing & Heating |

15th September 2026

Gas Safety Week 2026: Take No Chances

Plumbing & Heating |

15th September 2026

New episode of Grant UK’s Net Zero Heating Show now available

Plumbing & Heating |

14th September 2026

Local leaders have say on reforms to prepare youngsters for work

Plumbing & Heating |

14th September 2026

Younger homeowners more likely to trust a tradesperson based on looks

Features

Features

Feature articles and insights from across the electrical, plumbing, and heating sectors...

Features
Features |

2nd September 2026

Closing the skills gap: the value of apprenticeships

Features |

2nd September 2026

Why apprenticeships must work for employers

Features |

19th August 2026

Is a plumbing and heating career AI proof?

Features |

17th August 2026

Could new training obligations widen the electrical skills gap?

Learning Zone

Learning Zone

Browse and download exclusive training content, including PDFs, videos, how-to tips, and more...

Learning Zone
Learning Zone |

24th August 2026

Safe isolation: work safe, go home safe

Learning Zone |

9th June 2026

Earthing and bonding: what’s the difference?

Learning Zone |

12th May 2026

Safe isolation: what you need to know

Learning Zone |

7th April 2026

Understanding the Building Regulations

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All ECA Articles

ECA

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4th August 2026

ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year finalists announced

Three exceptional apprentices have been named as finalists for the prestigious ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award, as ECA marks its landmark 125th anniversary year.  Established in 1975, the ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award is one of the electrotechnical and engineering services industry’s most respected training accolades, celebrating outstanding apprentices who combine exceptional […]

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ECA

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4th August 2026

Training alliance secures funding for electrical training in the West Midlands

The West Midlands Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA), led by Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), has secured funding to support electrical training across the region, in collaboration with Dudley College of Technology and West Midlands Combined Authority.  The initiative addresses a gap in training provision that had previously limited access to key electrical qualifications for […]

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ECA

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28th July 2026

New focus on technical education has potential to spark a new generation of electricians, says ECA

The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has welcomed Andy Burnham’s announcement that technical education will sit at the heart of the curriculum from age 14, saying it is keen to see the detail and work with Government to help more people become competent, qualified electricians with rewarding careers. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has set out reforms […]

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ECA

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28th July 2026

Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance launched in Hampshire and Solent to strengthen regional skills

Electrotechnical businesses, education providers and local authorities have joined forces to launch the latest Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA), which will work collaboratively to address electrical skills challenges across Hampshire and Solent.  ETCAs, an initiative developed by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), are designed to help bridge the gap locally between employers, education and […]

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ECA

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13th July 2026

London alliance takes action to tackle electrical skills gap

A new alliance has been launched in London to help address the area’s electrical skills gap by bringing together local Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) Member businesses, training providers and the local authority. The Local London Electrotechnical Careers and Training Alliance (ETCA) covers East London and surrounding areas. It will support closer collaboration between employers, education […]

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ECA

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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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ECA

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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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ECA

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6th May 2026

Apprenticeships pay back: ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce

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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ECA

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5th May 2026

ECA backs FE Week warning: ‘green skills’ must mean qualified, competent and safe

The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has praised FE Week for highlighting a growing risk: ‘green skills’ courses that don’t align with industry occupational and training standards – and therefore don’t develop or validate real competence. With electrification accelerating across homes and workplaces, competence is non‑negotiable. When training bypasses industry-endorsed standards, the consequences can be unsafe work, poor-quality, […]

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ECA

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17th April 2026

2026 entries now open for the ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award

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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ECA

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19th March 2026

Greater Manchester Alliance launches major drive to power up the region’s electrical workforce

A bold new campaign to accelerate skills growth in Greater Manchester’s electrical sector has been launched by an alliance led by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA). Designed to supercharge upskilling across the region, the initiative opens new pathways for both businesses and workers looking to advance in a rapidly evolving industry. The Greater Manchester Electrotechnical […]

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ECA

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12th March 2026

Thames Valley educators and electrical businesses unite to address regional skills challenges

A new Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA) was launched this week (10 March 2026) in the Thames Valley, bringing together electrotechnical businesses and education providers to identify solutions for enhancing skills delivery across the region.  The newly formed ETCA unites local employers and education partners to develop practical responses to skills challenges specific to the region’s […]

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ECA

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15th February 2026

Electrical training alliance launches in South Yorkshire

Key educational institutions and electrotechnical businesses came together on 12 February for the inaugural meeting of a new alliance formed to tackle the growing electrical skills shortage in South Yorkshire. The group represents the second Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA) launched during National Apprenticeship Week 2026 and the seventh established since the initiative began […]

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ECA

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9th February 2026

North East alliance seeks to drive positive change in regional electrical skills

An alliance of electrical businesses, training providers and the local authority within the North East of England met for the first time this week to address electrical skills challenges facing the region.  This collaboration marks the launch of an Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA), which is an initiative led by ECA. An ETCA aims to bring […]

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ECA

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8th February 2026

Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand

The UK’s electrical skills gap is widening across the country, at the very moment demand for skilled electricians is accelerating, according to new analysis published by the ECA, putting Government ambitions and targets at risk. ECA’s 2026 Electrical Skills Index – which compares the number of people starting Government-funded classroom-based electrical courses with those entering apprenticeships – […]

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ECA

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13th January 2026

ECA urges next Welsh Government to address dramatic fall in electrical apprentices

ECA is urging the next Welsh Government to address the steep decline in electricians and apprentices working in Wales. The number has fallen from 13,400 in 2015, to only 7,600 today, according to ECA’s 2026 Wales Manifesto published today. ECA’s Skills Charter states that Wales needs a minimum of 700 new electrical apprentices every year to […]

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ECA

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22nd December 2025

ECA welcomes DESNZ clean workforce report

The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has warmly welcomed the report from the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, Workforce planning to deliver clean secure energy.  The report clearly reflects the case ECA has been making on the need for a stronger, more coherent approach to clean energy skills – the Government cannot achieve a safe energy […]

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ECA

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22nd December 2025

JIB responds to CSJ Skills to Build report with call to prioritise direct employment and competence

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) report, Skills to Build: Fixing Britain’s construction workforce crisis, was published in November 2025, setting out 26 recommendations – across government departments, education and industry.  The central message, that construction cannot meet housing and infrastructure demand without rebuilding a domestic skills pipeline, has been a long-held concern of the Joint Industry […]

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