skills – Electrical & Plumbing Skills

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skills

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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skills

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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skills

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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skills

19th May 2026

The possible bottleneck in the electrotechnical qualifications sector

Are new EAS requirements and tighter ECS criteria set to squeeze the workforce at a time when electrical expertise is more critical than ever? The UK electrotechnical sector is approaching a critical pressure point. Following the introduction of the updated Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) and wider electrical scheme changes coming into force this October, registered […]

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skills

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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skills

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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skills

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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skills

12th May 2026

Safe isolation: what you need to know

Regardless of whether you are in training or working in an electrical vocation or an associated trade where you may work in close proximity to live parts, you must learn safe isolation. Visit the Learning Zone to download our latest technical PDF, Safe isolation: what you need to know. Covering: Click here to access this document in […]

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skills

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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skills

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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skills

5th May 2026

EAL update on apprenticeship assessment and standards development

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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skills

16th April 2026

Johnny Gough selected for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

NET would like to say a huge congratulations to Johnny Gough on being selected to represent the UK electrical installation industry at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Johnny started his skills competition journey with SkillELECTRIC, which is organised by NET. He won the bronze medal in the 2024 UK Final after competing in the Northern Ireland SkillELECTRIC […]

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skills

14th April 2026

What the future plumbing & heating education landscape means for providers

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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skills

24th March 2026

Government outlines reforms of Industry Training Boards to boost construction and engineering skills

Industry voices and stakeholders are being asked to shape the future of skills training as a new consultation proposes the merger of construction and engineering training boards. This consultation is the latest step in the Government’s drive to future-proof the skills of the workforce and unlock the economic growth the country needs. The plans will […]

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skills

23rd March 2026

Instantor champions career development through Student Mentoring Programme

Instantor is participating in the Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) Student Mentoring Programme. Through the initiative, Instantor is working with a group of students over a two-year period, hosting sessions at its head office to explore topics such as career potential, approaches to study, CV writing and interview preparation. Several Instantor employees have taken […]

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skills

23rd March 2026

BPEC Year in Review out now

The BPEC Charity has published its annual Year in Review to profile its wide-ranging and significant work to support plumbing and heating skills development over the last 12 months. BPEC continually invests in projects focused on raising standards, supporting the training and development of plumbing operatives and encouraging leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation. The charity is self-sustaining and […]

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skills

23rd March 2026

Welsh Government retrofit report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA

With a Senedd election approaching, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) is urging all parties to back a long-term plan to train the electricians needed to deliver home retrofit, and wider electrification, safely and at pace. The newly released Welsh Government-commissioned report Assessing workforce requirements for home retrofitting in Wales warns that Wales does not currently have the […]

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skills

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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All skills Articles

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

Landmark report sets out action to address key skills gaps

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

The possible bottleneck in the electrotechnical qualifications sector

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

Safe isolation: what you need to know

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

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

EAL update on apprenticeship assessment and standards development

Johnny Gough selected for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

What the future plumbing & heating education landscape means for providers

Government outlines reforms of Industry Training Boards to boost construction and engineering skills

Instantor champions career development through Student Mentoring Programme

BPEC Year in Review out now

Welsh Government retrofit report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA

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

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