Skills England assessment published as ECA Skills Committee appoints new Deputy Chair

[edit] Prioritising electrical skills

Skills England’s Assessment of priority skills to 2030 has been welcomed by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) which was coincidentally published on 12 August, 2025, the same day the ECA Skills Committee announced the appointment its new Deputy Chair, Luke Cook.

[edit] New Government guidance

The new government guidance confirms that electricians and electrical engineers are two of the careers expected to see the most growth in the next five years. The assessment also states that electrotechnical occupations are key to multiple sectors, including clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence and digital technologies. This aligns with ECA’s own Blueprint for Electrification report evidencing how vital the electrotechnical industry is to the whole economy.

ECA’s Recharging Electrical Skills Charter puts forward several policy proposals designed to help the UK meet the growing demand for electrical skills – including more funding targeted towards apprenticeships and other industry-agreed training routes.

Andrew Eldred, Deputy CEO of ECA, said of the guidance:

“Skills England’s assessment highlights the urgency of the need to reverse a decline in the skilled electrical workforce over the past five years. Electricians and SME electrical contractors are now a vital national resource. Closer dialogue and collaboration between Government and industry are essential if we are to meet the ever increasing demand for electrical skills.”

According to Skills England’s analysis, employment demand in priority occupations is expected to increase by 15 percent by 2030, from 5.9 million in 2025 to 6.7 million in 2030. This is 1.6 times faster than other employment in these sectors, which is expected to increase by 0.8 million, a 9% increase from 8.9 million in 2025.

[edit] ECA Skills Committee new Deputy Chair

Luke Cook, Associate Director at ECA Member Darke & Taylor Ltd., has been appointed as Deputy Chair of the ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association) Skills Committee.

Luke began his career as an electrical apprentice with Darke & Taylor in 2005 and has progressed through a range of roles in the business, including transforming the company’s Quality Assurance and Commissioning department. He has been a member of the ECA Skills Committee since 2023.

From its beginnings as an electrical services firm in 1958, Darke & Taylor has grown and developed a full range of building services solutions and today has the experience and expertise to offer a fully integrated MEP design, installation, commissioning and maintenance package. Darke & Taylor has been engaged with apprenticeship schemes for over 40 years and during this time has offered jobs and training to more than 400 school leavers looking to develop careers in the built environment. The company has a workforce of more than 250 people, of which over 90 are currently undertaking an apprenticeship or adult traineeship.

The ECA Skills Committee, chaired by ECA President Ruth Devine MBE, provides ECA Members with the opportunity to influence skills policies and the operation of skills systems across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as ‘giving back’ by helping to build the next generation of the electrotechnical industry. The Committee oversees ECA’s involvement in apprenticeships, qualifications, careers and upskilling existing electricians to meet the demands of expanding electrification.

ECA collaborates with government and other industry stakeholders to increase apprentice starts and upskill the existing workforce through initiatives like the Construction Skills Mission Board, ECA’s own All-Wales Skills Forum, regional Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliances (ETCAs), and skills charters in Wales and England.

Luke Cook said:

“It’s an honour to be appointed Deputy Chair of the ECA Skills Committee. Having started my career as an apprentice, I’ve seen first-hand how powerful and life-changing high-quality training can be. As our industry evolves to meet the challenges of electrification and the drive toward net zero, it’s more important than ever that we invest in people and practical skills. I’m excited to help shape the future of training and support those starting out in the electrotechnical industry.”

Ruth Devine MBE said:

“ECA’s Skills Committee exists to support Members access the skilled people they need and strives to ensure the skills system works well for them. The skills gap is well documented in the electrotechnical industry and quality apprenticeships are vital to meet future demand. We want to help our Members recruit even more apprentices to secure the future of our industry.

“A former apprentice himself, and part of Darke & Taylor with over 50 years’ enviable success training apprentices, Luke’s contributions to the Skills Committee are incredibly valuable. Luke stepping up into future committee leadership as Deputy Chair is great news and I look forward to working with him throughout the rest of my term.”

ECA’s Skills Committee is currently recruiting for a committee member with careers or local skills engagement experience.

This article appears on the ECA news and blog site as "Government champions electrotechnical skills as priority for England’s future workforce" and "ECA Skills Committee appoints new Deputy Chair" dated 12 August 2025.

--ECA

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