A-Level results and electrical apprenticeships
As A-level results are announced in August, leading electrotechnical and engineering services association ECA highlights the importance of electrical apprenticeships in the move to low carbon technologies and net zero.
ECA is putting the need for more electrical apprentices firmly at the centre of the new government’s agenda, as the body launched the Electrical Skills Index. The Electrical Skills Index is a dataset analysing how many people in England are starting classroom-based courses compared to apprenticeships – to highlight the areas of the country facing a shocking shortage of electrical skills. It shows constituency by constituency how newly elected MPs in England can champion electrical apprenticeships in their area.
A career in electrical engineering, design or installation can open a whole world of opportunities, and it all starts with an apprenticeship.
ECA’s own Technical Director, and former President, Mike Smith began his electrotechnical career aged 15.
“Undertaking an electrical apprenticeship was the best decision I ever made,” he said. “It gave me the opportunity to learn about electrical theory and the practical elements of how to install various cabling methods, containment, switchgear and electronics.”
“Far from restricting career choices, undertaking an apprenticeship has opened so many doors for me and allowed me to develop as I wanted, at a pace that suited me.”
ECA Edmundson apprentice of the Year 2023 Adam Allenalso decided to take the leap and launch his career with an apprenticeship.
He said, “The electrical industry is always advancing quickly – especially in the low carbon technology sector – so there are so many paths you can choose once you become qualified. I have always maintained that choosing a career in the electrical industry was the best decision I could have made.
“Because the industry is so expansive, there will certainly be a rewarding career path for you too – you just have to reach for it.”
The Electrical Careers website, is the industry approved portal for finding routes into electrical apprenticeships.
This article appears on the ECA news and blog site as 'A-Level results week: ECA champions electrical apprenticeships' dated August 16, 2024.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Apprenticeships.
- Call for support in green electrical apprentice shortfall.
- Coronation recognised eco apprenticeships continue help grow green workforce.
- ECA.
- ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award.
- ECA articles.
- ECA calls on London Mayor to prioritise green electrical skills in the capital.
- New electrical apprentice rates.
- The ECA Recharging Electrical Skills Charter included in key report.
- The general election and why a shortage of electrical apprentices matters.
Featured articles and news
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Home builders call for suspension of Building Safety Levy
HBF with over 100 home builders write to the Chancellor.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2024/2025
CIOB names James Monk a quantity surveyor from Cambridge as the winner.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.