Electrical Contractors’ Association, JTL Training and the Joint Industry Board host event celebrating the electrotechnical sector at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, calling on the Government to work with industry to grow a skilled, competent and more diverse workforce.

On Monday 28 September, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), JTL Training and the Electrotechnical Joint Industry Board (JIB) hosted an evening reception in Liverpool during Labour Party Conference.

The event, Electrifying Our Future – Untapped Potential, marked the first dedicated electrical sector fringe event of its kind at Labour Party Conference, bringing together political and industry representatives to celebrate the contribution of the electrotechnical workforce and discuss how Government and industry can work together to meet future skills demand. 

An audience of political and industry representatives, including ECA Members, heard speeches from Glenn Grant, President of ECA, Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JTL Training, Andy Reakes, Acting CEO of JIB and Veronica Jennings, Labour Manager at Dalkia. Veronica shared her journey from entering the sector as an apprentice and detailed some of the barriers that still need to be removed to build a more diverse workforce.

The event formed part of ECA’s 125th anniversary celebrations and followed the publication earlier this year of ECA’s 2026 Electrical Skills Index, which showed that while interest in electrical careers continues to grow, the system is failing to convert that interest into qualified electricians.

Fewer than one in five learners enrolled on government-funded, classroom-based electrical courses progressed into an apprenticeship or skilled employment during 2025/26. ECA is calling for a focused, employer-led approach to reforming the electrical skills system. Without change, growing interest in electrical training risks continuing to stall at the point of employment, leaving too many learners unable to access apprenticeships and progress into qualified work.

Glenn Grant, ECA President, said:

“With ECA celebrating its 125th year, it was a pleasure to bring the sector together to highlight the essential role electricians will play in delivering the Government’s economic growth and decarbonisation ambitions. Electrification is a huge opportunity for the UK, but we will not deliver clean power, warmer homes, EV infrastructure or a modernised grid without the skilled electrical workforce to make it happen. The problem is not a lack of interest. People want to join the industry and employers need skilled workers, but too many aspiring electricians are not making the jump from the classroom into high-quality apprenticeships and skilled employment.

“SMEs such as ECA’s Members are central to fixing this. They train apprentices and deliver much of the work on the ground, but the cost and complexity of taking people on remains a real barrier. Government and industry need to work together to make it easier for employers to invest in the next generation. If we get that right, we can unlock the untapped potential in the workforce pipeline and build the skilled, diverse workforce the country needs for growth and the clean energy transition.”

During the evening, guests were able to meet apprentices and representatives from across the sector, including BEAMA, Electrical Safety First, the North West Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance, the Electrical Distributors’ Association and Certsure, and heard directly about the workforce, skills and delivery challenges facing industry, as well as the work already underway to attract, train and support the next generation.

Andy Reakes, Acting CEO of JIB, commented:

“It was encouraging to see such a strong and shared focus on ensuring the UK has the people, skills, competence and employment practices needed to deliver the infrastructure, housing and energy transition ambitions ahead. This is about creating clear pathways into skilled occupations, supporting ongoing development, and providing the conditions for people to build long-term, rewarding careers.

“The JIB has long championed this integrated approach across the sector, bringing together skills, competence, workforce standards and career progression. As Government and industry work together to address future skills needs, there is a significant opportunity to align workforce planning, competence and employment standards more closely and for Government to reward those employers already doing the right thing in investing in fairly paid jobs and apprenticeships for the next generation.”

Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JTL Training said:

“There is huge interest in electrical careers and enormous opportunity ahead, but we need to turn that interest into high-quality apprenticeships and long-term skilled employment. JTL stands ready to work with Government, ECA, the JIB and employers to grow a skilled, diverse and competent workforce capable of delivering the UK’s electrification and growth ambitions.”

The event detailed a clear message from across the sector, that meeting future employer demand will require a joined-up approach to skills, employment and competence. Industry leaders are calling on Government to work with employers, training providers and sector bodies to remove barriers to apprenticeship growth, strengthen progression into skilled work and build on the training infrastructure and competence frameworks already in place.

With demand for electrical skills set to rise as electrification accelerates, the evening highlighted that the opportunity is there, but unlocking its full potential will depend on turning interest into high-quality training, sustainable employment and long-term careers.