The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has praised FE Week for highlighting a growing risk: “green skills” courses that don’t align with industry occupational and training standards — and therefore don’t develop or validate real competence.

With electrification accelerating across homes and workplaces, competence is non negotiable. When training bypasses industry-endorsed standards, the consequences can be unsafe work, poor-quality, inefficient installations, and a genuine danger to the public — as well as damage to confidence in low carbon technologies themselves.

ECA is calling for an industry-endorsed, competence led approach to green upskilling and funding — exemplified by “Electrician Plus" qualifications in solar PV, battery and EV charging. It is also supporting wider calls from the Engineering and Building Services Skills Alliance (EBSSA) – which covers mechanical, electrical, plumbing and associated specialisms as a whole — for full adoption of an Installer Skills Matrix for low carbon technologies.

Andrew Eldred, Managing Director at ECA, said:

“FE Week is right to scrutinise training that’s marketed as a fast route into ‘green’ jobs but doesn’t deliver industry recognised qualifications or competence. In a safety critical sector, competence isn’t optional. If people are pushed into work they’re not properly qualified to do, investment in proper training declines and the public ultimately carries the risk.

“Upskilling for low carbon technologies must align with industry recognised competence standards — not bypass or subvert them”.

What ECA is calling for

ECA is urging government, funders and skills bodies to:

• Align “green skills” provision and funding with employer needs, as embodied in industry-recognised standards and competence frameworks.
   
• Support upskilling that builds on underlying trade competence (as embodied in “Electrician Plus”) — not shortcuts around such competence.
   
• Measure success by skilled employment outcomes (fully qualified status and progression), not simply course enrolments.

ECA supports faster green skills delivery — but training must not compromise on competence or safety.
“Electrician Plus” is an industry-wide initiative led by the Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) to highlight how once someone reaches qualified electrician status, all that is needed is top-up CPD and qualifications in specific new technologies, to enable safe, compliant and competent installations. Qualifications aligned with “Electrician Plus” requirements are also recognised in the Qualifications Guide of the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS).

ECA is a founding member of the Engineering and Building Services Skills Alliance (EBSSA), which includes other leading trade bodies with a deep understanding and interest in the net zero transition, such as APHC, BCIA, BEAMA, BESA, CIPHE, CIBSE, FETA, HPA UK and TICA. EBSSA published its Sector Skills Plan — commissioned by the Construction Skills Mission Board — in February 2026. Recommendation 7 of the Plan calls for government endorsement of a National Installer Skills Matrix to “clarify and rationalise skills requirements for energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies”. 

ECA Members have access to a wide range of services to help them on their business growth journey. These include eligibility for discounts on a wide range of green upskilling and other NICEIC courses via NICEIC’s online shop.