Collaboration in action to bridge the electrical skills gap in Kent

ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association) Member businesses, industry bodies, education providers and public authorities, have joined together to create an alliance to tackle the shortage of electrotechnical skills in Kent and Medway. 

The soon-to-be-launched Kent & Medway Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA), aims to strengthen electrotechnical skills development and careers provision within the county, and provide the competence and professionalism needed to meet the demand of electrification in the UK. 

The Alliance is a joint initiative led by ECA and its Members, with Kent and Invicta Chamber of Commerce.   

Andrew Eldred, Deputy CEO at ECA, said: “ECA Members in Kent & Medway know, as leading businesses in the area, how important it is to get together and resolve the skills gap issue locally. It is crucial for meeting local and national targets for housing, industry, clean energy and digital infrastructure. 

“This will be the fifth local Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance that has been launched in less than a year. It joins other ETCAs in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, Cheshire & Warrington, and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.” 

Stuart Gibson, Divisional Manager at ECA Member Niblock Electrical Services, said: “Kent needs many more qualified, skilled electricians to achieve its huge economic potential. As local employers and strong supporters of high-quality training, we and other ECA Members welcome the shared commitment shown by industry, education, local authorities and the Chamber of Commerce to start to address the opportunities and challenges Kent faces together through a new ETCA.”    

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce is the Employer Representative Body appointed by the Secretary of State for Education to lead the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Kent & Medway.  

Camilla Maurice, Kent & Medway LSIP Lead said:  “The Kent & Medway ETCA represents a decisive step toward building a future-ready electrotechnical workforce. By aligning employer demand with high-quality training provision, we’re creating a collaborative framework to address critical skills shortages across housing, clean energy, and digital infrastructure. This Alliance empowers businesses to shape the talent pipeline, unlock growth, and ensure Kent and Medway remain competitive and resilient in a rapidly evolving economy.” 

An ETCA roundtable event recently took place at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce offices in Ashford, with a wide range of electrical businesses, industry bodies, education providers and public authorities meeting together to discuss electrical skills priorities in the county. As a next step, it was agreed to draw up a formal list of participants and priority objectives, which will provide a starting point for the new Kent & Medway ETCA. One early piece of work will focus on barriers to recognition of prior learning for individuals seeking an apprenticeship after completing a college electrical course.  

The following organisations attended the roundtable and indicated their willingness to join the ETCA. Others may be invited to get involved as the ETCA takes shape.  

Electrical businesses 

Chord Engineering, Maidstone 

Gilbert & Stamper, Tonbridge 

Niblock Electrical Services, Bromley 

Triple Star Fire & Security, Orpington  

Electrical industry bodies 

ECA  

Joint Industry Board (JIB)/ Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) 

NICEIC 

The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) 

Build UK 

Education providers 

East Kent College 

Electrical Academy 

JTL 

Mid Kent College 

North Kent College 

Regional/local bodies 

Kent County Council 

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce 

Medway Council 

Find out more about ETCAs and how to get involved here.