skills – Electrical & Plumbing Skills

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skills

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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skills

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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skills

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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skills

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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skills

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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skills

23rd September 2026

DEWALT survey explores how next generation of workers perceive skilled careers

Ahead of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the world’s premier skilled trades competition, DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, surveyed over 500 WorldSkills competitors representing more than 60 countries and regions about the future of skilled careers, workforce readiness and training. The survey revealed that the next generation of trades professionals recognise their importance and contributions […]

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skills

21st September 2026

Join the City & Guilds 2026 BSE Network Tour

In a fast-changing skills and education landscape, having access to the right information, expertise and professional networks is more important than ever. City & Guilds’ BSE Network Tour is returning this autumn, offering an opportunity to connect with peers, hear the latest sector updates and access support from City & Guilds building services engineering (BSE) […]

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skills

21st September 2026

City & Guilds report identifies the human skills shortage holding back young people and employers

City & Guilds’ report reveals how a lack of ‘employability’ skills is hindering productivity and calls for the Government to prioritise NEET support as an economic growth strategy. At City & Guilds, we design programmes not simply to deliver qualifications, but to support the development of the skills, behaviours and experiences that enable people to […]

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skills

10th September 2026

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

SELECT and the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) have issued a fresh warning about the dangers of rogue training providers offering short courses which claim to provide a fast-track route into the electrical industry. The two organisations say there is growing concern that people are being encouraged to believe they can acquire the knowledge, practical skills and […]

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skills

2nd September 2026

Closing the skills gap: the value of apprenticeships

With workforce shortages continuing to challenge the electrical sector, developing the next generation of electricians through high-quality, industry-aligned training has never been more important, says Kevin Sparrow, Senior Industry Manager (BSE) at EAL. EAL is the exclusive Awarding Organisation for Building Services Engineering (including electrical) apprenticeships in Wales and supports thousands of apprentices each year across England […]

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skills

2nd September 2026

Why apprenticeships must work for employers

The electrotechnical sector stands at a defining moment. Demand for skilled electricians is rising rapidly, driven by net zero ambitions, housing targets and the modernisation of our infrastructure. Yet at the point when we need to accelerate workforce growth, our pipeline of new entrants is not keeping pace. This is not a new challenge, but […]

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skills

19th August 2026

Is a plumbing and heating career AI proof?

For years, people have assumed that the safest careers lie behind desks and degrees, but in the age of artificial intelligence, that assumption is being challenged, says APHC. In recent months, experts have been pointing to skilled trades, especially plumbing, as some of the most secure jobs for the future and among the last to […]

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skills

17th August 2026

Grant UK Training Academy announces partnership with Colchester Institute

At the beginning of July, Colchester Institute officially launched its updated Multifuel Oil Training Facility where Grant UK has supplied HVO compatible Vortex oil boilers for the provision of OFTEC training and assessment as well as Grant product training. Alongside the delivery of oil-fired product training, the Grant UK Training Academy will also be delivering […]

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skills

17th August 2026

Could new training obligations widen the electrical skills gap?

Electricians have been voicing concerns over changes to training and qualifications. CEF examines what this could mean for individuals, and for the industry. In the last 10 years, the UK’s electrical skills gap has moved from a distant threat to a day-to-day reality. Demand for electrical work is rising faster than ever, driven by our […]

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skills

17th August 2026

Marshall-Tufflex expands CPD programme with new GRP seminar

Marshall-Tufflex has expanded its Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme with the launch of a new GRP Cable Management Systems seminar, providing consultants, specifiers and electrical professionals with practical guidance on selecting and specifying cable management solutions for demanding environments. Accredited by The CPD Certification Service, the one-hour seminar is delivered in person by a member of the Marshall-Tufflex Specification […]

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skills

17th August 2026

JIB funding now available for EAL’s Air Source Heat Pump qualification

EAL is pleased to confirm that funding support is now available for Joint Industry Board (JIB) member companies and their employees undertaking the new EAL Level 3 Award in the Design, Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pump Systems (Non-refrigerant Circuits) (610/7301/5). JIB member companies often deliver mechanical building services engineering and electrotechnical work across a range […]

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skills

17th August 2026

Vocational Celebration Day brings the UK together to celebrate vocational talent

On 6 August, people across the UK came together to celebrate the people, skills and opportunities that keep our country moving. In a special event hosted by broadcaster Steph McGovern and streamed live from Teagle Machinery Ltd in Cornwall, the UK’s first ever Vocational Celebration Day shone a spotlight on vocational learners, apprentices, educators and […]

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skills

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 […]

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All skills Articles

Enginuity Skills Awards 2027: nominations now open

New podcast with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith

Grant UK supports Jersey Green Skills Academy

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

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

DEWALT survey explores how next generation of workers perceive skilled careers

Join the City & Guilds 2026 BSE Network Tour

City & Guilds report identifies the human skills shortage holding back young people and employers

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

Closing the skills gap: the value of apprenticeships

Why apprenticeships must work for employers

Is a plumbing and heating career AI proof?

Grant UK Training Academy announces partnership with Colchester Institute

Could new training obligations widen the electrical skills gap?

Marshall-Tufflex expands CPD programme with new GRP seminar

JIB funding now available for EAL’s Air Source Heat Pump qualification

Vocational Celebration Day brings the UK together to celebrate vocational talent

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

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