Electrotechnical businesses, education providers and local authorities have joined forces to launch the latest Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA), which will work collaboratively to address electrical skills challenges across Hampshire and Solent. 

ETCAs, an initiative developed by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), are designed to help bridge the gap locally between employers, education and skills provision. 

Representatives met on Tuesday 14 July 2026 at Solent University to establish the ETCA’s initial priorities, including tackling skill shortages across the region, as highlighted in the Hampshire & Solent Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). 

The launch comes following growing national concern about skills shortages across the construction, engineering and building services. ECA recently contributed to a Fabian Society report, which warned that the built environment sector is facing growing workforce pressures, with thousands of vacancies unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers. 

The report also highlighted the value of high-quality apprenticeships in helping employers improve productivity, strengthen workforce resilience and develop the competent professionals needed to meet future demand. 

The Hampshire and Solent ETCA will work to improve access to electrotechnical training, raise awareness of career opportunities and help more people progress into competent, qualified roles within the industry.

The ETCA agreed the following priorities: 

• Develop a collaborative triangle between employers, training providers and manufacturers who commit to supporting each other in respect to electrical training and curriculum planning 
• Raise awareness and promote the ETCA to ensure greater participation and impact upon the region 
• Demystify training routes - mapping and guidance with clear routes to competence to be made available. 

By bringing together employers, training providers and other stakeholders, the alliance aims to create a stronger local skills pipeline capable of supporting Hampshire's future housing, infrastructure, clean energy and economic growth ambitions. 

Keith Sanderson, Head of Education and Skills at ECA said:  

“We are pleased to introduce this new ETCA covering the Hampshire and Solent region, where strengthening the local skills system is a key priority, as set out in the recently published 2026-2029 LSIP. ECA’s Electrical Skills Index 2026 revealed many areas of Hampshire and Solent experienced low and very low apprentices starts for the 2024/2025 academic year, highlighting a key area of opportunity to enhance skills provision and support growth of the electrical industry across the region.” 

Mandy Boughton, President and LSIP Partnership Consultant, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, added:  

"Electrical apprentice starts in Hampshire and the Solent have nearly halved in recent years, whilst nationally we've lost almost 45,000 electricians since 2019 — this poses a significant risk to some of our key sectors such as Defence, Maritime, Construction and Aerospace. This new alliance between the Hampshire Chamber, ECA and key regional stakeholders is an important collaboration, bringing everyone together to address a shortage our Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) research has identified as critical." 

Peter Cornish, Director of ECA Member, B.H.M. Electrical Services Ltd, who attended the session, shared: 

“As a business, we see first-hand the challenges of recruiting and retaining skilled people in the industry. Joining this ETCA gives us an opportunity to work alongside training providers, local authorities and employers to strengthen the local skills pipeline. By sharing our insight and experience, we can help ensure training provision reflects both local demand and the skills employers need for the future.” 

 The businesses in attendance at today’s launch were: 

Electrical Businesses

• BHM Electrical Services Ltd
• Enerveo Limited
• Mike Pagett Ltd
• Rigfone Electrics Ltd
• Stromtechs Ltd
• Utili-Light Limited

Training providers

• Basingstoke College of Technology
• Brian Scadden Associates
• Brockenhurst College
• City of Portsmouth College
• Farnborough College of Technology
• Havant and Solent Downs College
• Institute of Technology (IOT)
• Isle of Wight College
• SETA
• Solent University
• South Hants College Group
• Sparsholt College Group
• University of Portsmouth

Other Participants

• British Marine
• CompEx
• ECS
• Electrical Contractors' Association
• Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
• The Joint Industry Board (JIB)
• Ministry of Defence
• NICEIC
• The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP)
• Unite the Union

Learn more about ETCAs here.