New report highlights electrotechnical skills demographics at a regional level
Posted by: electime 2nd October 2023
Key insights from a survey report commissioned jointly by the Joint Industry Board (JIB) and Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), and published by the Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), has revealed differences in requirements and opportunities for the UK’s electrotechnical sector at a regional level.
With a total workforce of around 276,000, best case scenario calculations estimate around 33,000 additional skilled workers are needed by 2027. Of those employers questioned, 54 per cent and 49 per cent respectively expect demand for qualified electricians and apprentices to increase over the next two to three years to meet the positive growth.
The Labour Market Intelligence report outlines trends in the sector over the past few years, providing a rich insight into the state of the electrotechnical sector in terms of its workforce size, demography, and skills needs and key opportunities
Some of the key trends reflected in the report include:
- Greater London: higher proportion of 25-49 year olds in the workforce (66 per cent) than UK average (50 per cent), and greater emphasis on ageing workforce as barrier to take-up of new technologies (28 per cent, cf. 20 per cent)
- South West England: greater importance attached to new technologies as a factor driving workforce changes (22 per cent) than UK average (9 per cent)
- North West England: higher proportion of 16-24 year olds in the workforce (28 per cent) than UK average (20 per cent)
- Yorkshire and Humberside: higher proportion of 16-24 year olds in the workforce (23 per cent) than UK average (20 per cent), and higher levels of satisfaction with skills of job applicants (69 per cent, cf. 58 per cent) and availability of suitable training locally (84 per cent, cf. 69 per cent)
- East of England: lower proportion of 16-24 year olds in the workforce (14 per cent) than UK average (20 per cent), and higher proportion of 50-64 year olds (37 per cent, cf. 26 per cent).
The electrotechnical sector continues to lead the charge of a rapid evolution in how we use technology – with increased demand for digital communication, energy conservation, electric vehicle charging and renewable energy solutions with a particular focus on the electrification of heat (such as heat pumps) in buildings. One of the underlying drivers for most of this development is Net Zero and the targets for the UK to be carbon neutral by 2050 mentioned above. The JIB acknowledges that the challenges and concerns in the sector in responding to demand will vary region by region and is committed to tackling each issue by highlighting its own regional structures and plans to strengthen engagement with skills issues at a regional level.
Jay Parmar, Chief Executive of the JIB, commented: “The figures listed here provide just a snapshot of the report’s findings and underline how the sector varies significantly by region. By engaging with local stakeholders the JIB is well equipped to empower employers in each region to influence progressive decisions about local investment in skills and training. By tailoring policies to local conditions we can deliver improved targeted and valued outcomes. This report highlights key opportunities for employers to help shape the regional skills agenda in structed manner to help deliver a win for learners, win for employers and win for Net Zero.”
An infographic showing the report highlights can be viewed here
