Senior business leaders from T Clarke, Crown House Technologies, Emcor, Group Metropolitan, Sudlows, Phoenix ME and other contractors joined government departments, Skills England, Barbour ABI, JTL, JIB and Oxford University at the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and BESA’s latest data centre skills roundtable to address one of the UK's biggest growth opportunities.
With more than £14 billion of investment announced by the Government and an estimated £88 billion pipeline of data centre projects, demand for electrical, engineering and specialist technical skills is growing rapidly.
Participants at the roundtable agreed that workforce capacity, competence and supply chain capability are becoming key factors that will determine whether the UK can deliver this investment at scale.
The roundtable gave ECA Members direct access to major contractors, government departments and industry bodies shaping future skills, standards and workforce policy. Discussions covered workforce forecasting, specialist electrical skills, commissioning, apprenticeships, supply chain development and routes into the data centre market. This has led to a substantial programme of follow-up work being agreed.
Participants agreed to reconvene in six months, with future sessions likely to focus on commissioning, client requirements, workforce planning and supply chain opportunities.
Mark Lawrence, CEO of ECA Member business T Clarke, who chaired the roundtable said:
“Data centres are one of the UK's most important growth markets, but growth on this scale can only be delivered if we develop the skilled workforce needed to support it. The roundtable brought together the right mix of industry leaders, government and skills organisations to start tackling that challenge. The discussion was practical, forward-looking and focused on solutions, and I am encouraged by the commitment shown by everyone around the table to work together on the next steps.”
George Hall, of ECA Member business and cable jointing and installation specialists TAG UK Services, said:
"Data centres rely on specialist cabling and jointing skills, yet awareness of these careers remains far too low. This roundtable gave us a valuable opportunity to highlight the need for stronger training pathways, recognised competence standards and better workforce planning. We welcome the commitment from industry, government and training partners to work together to develop the skilled workforce needed to support the UK's rapidly growing data centre market."
Business Opportunities
For ambitious small and mid-sized firms, data centres offer a route into a fast-growing, high-value market. For larger firms, they provide opportunities to diversify, secure future growth and help shape industry standards, skills policy and workforce development.
Get Involved
The data centre roundtable forms part of a wider ECA programme focused on major growth sectors.
ECA is now inviting expressions of interest from Members wishing to participate in future sector groups covering:
- Data Centres
- Defence
- Healthcare
- Housing
- Off-site Manufacturing
- Retail
- Warm Homes Plan
- Water and Waste Treatment.
These groups will help Members understand emerging opportunities, build industry connections and influence the issues that will shape future markets.
Firms interested in joining future activity should contact businesssupportdl@eca.co.uk.
The full list of organisations which attended the ECA-BESA data centres roundtable on 26 June was as follows:
Contractors
T Clarke
Crown House
Drax 360
Emcor
Gratte Brothers
Group Metropolitan
Phoenix ME
SJD Associates
Sudlows
TAG UK
Government
Department for Business and Trade
Department for Science Innovation and Technology
Department for Work and Pensions/ Skills England
Others
Barbour ABI
Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)
Commissioning Specialists Association (CSA)
ECA
The Electrotechnical Joint Industry Board
JTL Training
The Oxford University’s Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance (SKOPE)
At ECA’s 125th Anniversary National Business Day held at the Science Museum in June, a panel session looked at new technology and growth sectors including datacentres.
Last updated 15 July 26
