Earlier this month Mark Wakeford, host of The Building Podcast, talked to Andrew Eldred, Deputy CEO of ECA. The deep dive podcast shines a spotlight on the indispensable role of electricians in powering the UK’s transition to renewable energy, in particular Solar PV.
The discussion centres on the importance of electrical expertise and competence to the energy revolution. Electricians are crucial to meeting the UK’s statutory commitments—and moral duty—to reach legally binding carbon reduction targets. To achieve these goals, Solar installs alone must produce 55 GW of power by the end of the decade, and 70 GW by 2035. Electricians are designing the infrastructure that will sustain low-carbon energy in homes, businesses, smart systems, and across the built environment.
Ensuring enough competent professionals are available, requires robust training pipelines and greater industry involvement to shape training programmes suited to the UK’s strategic goals. Skills Models exist in Scandinavian countries which are far more aligned to industry demand. Major infrastructure projects in these countries tend to finish on time and to budget, because contracts are awarded to firms with greater resilience acquired through direct employment.
A more strategic approach, resembling the Scandinavian model, is urgently needed to cultivate a steady flow of committed, competent newcomers to the industry . This includes supporting colleges and employers to make apprenticeship training financially viable and appealing.
Despite challenges to expanding the qualified electrical workforce, a relatively modest uplift of 3-4000 more qualified electricians each year – is an achievable goal. Moves such as the statutory duty to require competency in the Building Safety Act are slowly shifting expectations around the quality of training. The ambition and potential exist within the sector—what remains are the structural changes to training, recruitment, and investment to channel those talents effectively.
For ECA Members, the message is clear - you are at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition. Success depends not only on your technical skills and professionalism, but also on our collective voice to shape a training environment that nurtures the next generation.
Listen to the episode here.
Last updated 21 August 25