A new Sussex skills alliance has been launched to help tackle electrical workforce shortages and strengthen the region’s pipeline of qualified electrotechnical talent.

The Sussex Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA), led by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), brings employers, colleges, manufacturers and skills bodies together to close the gap between local training provision and industry demand.

Launched at Brighton Metropolitan College, the alliance will focus on practical action to improve training routes, boost employer engagement and promote electrical careers across Sussex.

The launch comes as contractors face sustained pressure to recruit the skilled electricians needed to deliver new homes, retrofit programmes, safer buildings, infrastructure upgrades and the low-carbon technologies driving the UK’s energy transition.

ECA has previously highlighted the value of sustained investment in apprenticeships and technical education, including through its contribution to a Fabian Society report on skills investment in the built environment.

The Sussex ETCA will bring employers, education providers and regional partners together to improve access to funding, strengthen apprenticeship pathways, support local recruitment and ensure electrical training meets the real needs of industry. 

The group’s first priorities are to:

• Make funding easier to access
• Build better routes into electrical apprenticeships
• Secure stronger incentives for local recruitment
• Give employers a stronger voice in qualification reform

By linking industry directly with education and skills partners, the alliance aims to accelerate local solutions to one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: getting more competent, qualified people into electrical roles.

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

“Contractors cannot deliver the homes, infrastructure and clean energy systems Sussex needs without a strong supply of skilled electricians. The Sussex ETCA puts employers, educators and skills partners in the same room to focus on what works locally — from better training routes to clearer careers advice. This is about turning industry need into practical action.”

Nathan Smith from ECA Member Steve Rooke Ltd, said:

“Having been part of the ECA National Skills Committee for over 10 years, It was great to be part of the launch meeting of the Sussex ETCA in my local area. There was great engagement by local employers, colleges, training providers and key stakeholders. The forum was informative and also enabled discussion on skills on a local level, which is so often overlooked. Working together along with ECA and Sussex Chamber of Commerce, I look forward to seeing the delivery of the outcomes to improve electrotechnical skills in Sussex.”

Claire Witz, LSIP Lead consultant for Sussex Chamber of Commerce, said:

“As the Employer Representative Body for the Sussex and Brighton Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), Sussex Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support ECA in launching the Sussex ETCA. Construction, and the electrotechnical trades within it, is one of the key sectors identified in the LSIP, with major regional infrastructure programmes - from housebuilding to Gatwick's Northern Runway expansion and the Rampion II offshore wind farm - set to drive demand for technical and green skills over the coming years. 

“The launch of the ETCA is a timely step in tackling the skills pipeline challenges facing electrical contractors locally, and we look forward to helping convene employers and further education providers across the region to support training provision keeps pace with change in electrical installation, EV charging, solar and battery storage skills.”

Matt Vaughan, Principal of Chichester College Group, said: 

“ECA’s pivotal role in ensuring electrotechnical employers have a good pipeline of skills and talent to recruit from was in abundance at the first inaugural Sussex hub meeting. Employers and training providers across Brighton, East and West Sussex spent almost three hours sharing insight, policy, and discussion on what works best. Chichester College Group was honoured to host the event. It is the much needed kickstart to forge even closer working relations between employers and training providers, underpinned by the critical work of the ECA.” 

Businesses and organisations represented at the launch included:

• A J Taylor Electrical Contractors Ltd
• Barton Knight Energy Ltd
• Brighton & Hove City Council
• Burton Electrical & Renewables Ltd
• Chichester College Group
• Electrical Contractors’ Association
• Hannington-Gilbert & Co. Ltd
• MET College 
• N Smith Electrical Ltd
• North Kent Colleges Group
• Paine Manwaring Ltd
• Steve Rooke Ltd
• Sussex Chamber of Commerce
• West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Careers Hub

Learn more about ETCAs here.