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Sharing the load: Tackling the skills gap in electrical installation
Author : Jennie Gould, Electrician Channel Marketing Manager, Schneider Electric
12 July 2023
As we transition to a new energy landscape where buildings must be more energy efficient, the UK is experiencing a shortage of construction sector workers with the ability to install electrical systems, which could prevent us from making any significant changes towards energy goals.
The UK is experiencing a shortfall of qualified electricians who can lead us into an era of cleaner energy. This skills gap has been evident for some time, and was most recently brought to light in the 2016 Farmer Review, which projected a 20 to 25 percent reduction in the number of construction workers available in the next ten years.
According to the UK Skills Index, in order to bridge the expanding skills gap, approximately a quarter of the workforce must be qualified apprentices, or 24,000 apprentices each year, in order to keep up with the pace of demand.
There are various explanations for why this skills gap has grown to such proportions. Frequently reported contributing problems include an ageing workforce, stagnant salaries, and a perception issue in the industry. Fewer young people are entering the industry to replace older workers when they retire, and a significantly high dropout rate among apprentices has also reduced their numbers.
While there are many more difficult issues that the government and industry must address, businesses can take action right away to guarantee that resources are being used as effectively as possible.
Finding the perfect fit
Obviously, the provision of quality training is key but there are ways we can ensure the specialist skills currently available are used efficiently - assigning them to the right tasks that best match their skillsets. This may sound obvious, but one way to facilitate this is by using an easy, flexible, and scalable kit that is not too complex to install. This means assigning trainees or apprentices to basic tasks, whilst their more experienced colleagues are diverted to work on the complex jobs that will help us deliver the modern requirements to meet our 2050 energy goals.
Leaders in the electrical industry are now providing out-of-the-box products aimed at light commercial use cases, including multi-storey residential buildings, schools and public buildings, and high-end property installations, which arrive ready-to-install. This is ideal for the new wave of developing electrical talent to install and build their experience, whilst freeing up the time of experienced colleagues to focus on the more challenging tasks.
And whilst the equipment is easy to install, this doesn’t take away from its reliability and functionality, removing the need for lengthy ongoing maintenance and fewer costly repairs.
An excellent illustration of this can be observed in companies that have taken steps to facilitate the transition of modern electricians towards commercially minded use cases. Through their proactive efforts, these leaders not only invest in the success of their own businesses but also contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the industry as a whole. Their involvement helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience, equipping young electricians with the necessary expertise to tackle complex challenges.
Contractors and electricians have a host of different options to help meet their electrical design requirements. It spans from entry-level, targeted at the new wave of electricians and contractors who are picking up a slew of new work in the wake of a revitalised energy landscape, to more established applications that are suitable for larger and more complex buildings. Whatever the case, these products can become the ‘go-to’ tools for more established firms relying on ready-to-install applications that will ensure their workforce is efficient and consistent.
With these lines of products, electricians can fast-track their skillset by installing standalone solutions or using them as integrated components in modular assemblies, delivering reliable connections, peace of mind, and safe circuit protection.
What’s more, there is an increased commitment in the industry to deliver modern tools for energy management by including metering kits, allowing contractors and end-users to measure and regulate power consumption with ease.
The electrical industry's leaders are responsible for providing simple and scalable goods that support the development of electricians' skills and guarantee they have the knowledge and decision-making ability to deliver dependable, scalable products for both small-scale commercial projects and large-scale residential ones.
Businesses and electricians can ensure a consistent level of service throughout all installations by putting their trust in a select group of providers with a track record of success. Over time, this will help to ease the labour shortage and usher in a new generation of trained tradespeople.
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