government – Electrical & Plumbing Skills

All government Articles

government

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 […]

Read full article

government

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Teenagers back vocational reforms and defy outdated stigma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behind a shake-up to vocational learning as the Government steps up efforts to tackle youth unemployment and challenge outdated attitudes towards technical education.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 […]

Read full article

government

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 […]

Read full article

government

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 […]

Read full article

government

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 […]

Read full article

government

24th September 2026

New Vocational GCSEs unveiled in major shake-up to hands-on learning for teens

Every young person across the country will be able to pursue prestigious new Vocational GCSEs and access work experience in a major shake-up of the education system to prepare them for the world of work. Delivering on the Prime Minister’s commitment in his first week in the role to put technical education on an equal […]

Read full article

government

14th September 2026

Local leaders have say on reforms to prepare youngsters for work

Local leaders had their say on how to drive excellence across the education system and better prepare young people for work during a summit hosted by the Education Secretary. Regional mayors, business leaders, headteachers and college principals convened on 10 September at No10 North in Manchester to shape plans to make England a technical education […]

Read full article

government

14th September 2026

Government action needed to get more young women on engineering and tech pathways

A new blueprint from the Gender Pathways collective calls on Government to take sustained action so more girls and young women can access engineering and technology education pathways. Girls and young women remain significantly underrepresented on education pathways into engineering and technology. In England, by age 18, only 26% of those on engineering and technology […]

Read full article

government

7th September 2026

City of Portsmouth College strengthens its position as a leading construction training provider with £1.2m Government investment

City of Portsmouth College (COPC) is strengthening its position as a leading provider of construction and specialist technical training in Portsmouth and the wider Solent region, following a £1.2 million investment from the Department for Education (DfE) Post-16 Construction Skills Capacity Fund. The funding, alongside significant investment from COPC, will support the development and expansion […]

Read full article

government

17th August 2026

Government orders that public spending must back British jobs and skills in every postcode

Businesses bidding for Government contracts – a market worth £90bn per year – will be judged on their commitment to creating high-quality British jobs, tackling local skills shortages and supporting young people into apprenticeships and work placements. The Government wants every young person to have the chance to earn or learn. New rules will double the […]

Read full article

government

17th August 2026

High wages and ‘pitiful’ employer funding are main reasons for not taking on an electrical apprentice

High wages and lack of employer funding are the biggest obstacles to Scotland’s electrical businesses recruiting apprentices, a new survey by Scotland’s largest construction trade association, SELECT, has revealed. Some 52% of respondents to the poll said that the financial double-whammy was the main reason for them not taking on an apprentice or adult trainee. A massive 87% claimed that […]

Read full article

government

4th August 2026

PM announces education reform, with new technical routes available from age 14 – NICEIC response

Following the Government’s announcement that schools in England will offer greater access to technical and vocational subjects from age 14, NICEIC CEO Clair Mowbray commented: “We welcome this announcement as a positive step forward and an important recognition of the vital role that skilled trades will play in the UK’s future. “It is particularly encouraging to hear the Prime Minister specifically reference […]

Read full article

government

31st July 2026

Nine EAL qualifications added to Free Courses for Jobs from August 2026

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced an expansion of the Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ) programme, with 72 engineering and manufacturing qualifications approved for inclusion from 1 August 2026. The expansion will help increase access to fully funded training in priority skills areas, supporting employers to address workforce shortages across the sector. EAL is pleased to […]

Read full article

government

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 […]

Read full article

government

28th July 2026

Government invests in young people with more opportunities close to home

Thousands more young people will be able to gain the skills, qualifications and experience they need for future careers, as the Government today rolls out a major package to break down barriers stopping access to technical education, training and apprenticeships. Through new financial support, more college places and greater access to apprenticeships, the package will […]

Read full article

government

28th July 2026

PM: ‘From today Britain will value the hard hat as much as the graduation cap’

The Prime Minister will unveil a fundamental change to the education system today, with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes. The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with valuable early access to technical skills, work experience and connections with local employers. The Prime Minister is determined to put technical education on an equal footing […]

Read full article

government

20th July 2026

Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship support welcomed

JIB and ECS have welcomed Government initiatives to support training for young people. The Government will be fully funding apprenticeship training for eligible 16-24-year-olds at non-levy paying employers from the next academic year, expanding foundation apprenticeships and introducing short courses to help businesses develop the skills they need in England. This builds on increased flexibility […]

Read full article

government

26th June 2026

New deal for young people to end ‘degree by default’ culture and boost youth apprenticeships

Ministers will unveil plans to crack down on poor‑quality university courses and shift investment further towards youth apprenticeships, as part of a ‘new deal for young people’. The deal delivers a renewed social contract with better opportunities to give young people real choices and real chances to get on, whether through university or high‑quality apprenticeships […]

Read full article

All government Articles

New podcast with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith

Teenagers back vocational reforms and defy outdated stigma

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

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

Chancellor backs young people into work by supporting jobs

New Vocational GCSEs unveiled in major shake-up to hands-on learning for teens

Local leaders have say on reforms to prepare youngsters for work

Government action needed to get more young women on engineering and tech pathways

City of Portsmouth College strengthens its position as a leading construction training provider with £1.2m Government investment

Government orders that public spending must back British jobs and skills in every postcode

High wages and ‘pitiful’ employer funding are main reasons for not taking on an electrical apprentice

PM announces education reform, with new technical routes available from age 14 – NICEIC response

Nine EAL qualifications added to Free Courses for Jobs from August 2026

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

Government invests in young people with more opportunities close to home

PM: ‘From today Britain will value the hard hat as much as the graduation cap’

Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship support welcomed

New deal for young people to end ‘degree by default’ culture and boost youth apprenticeships

Subscribe to Our Newsletter