A-Level results and electrical apprenticeships
As A-level results are announced in August, leading electrotechnical and engineering services association ECA highlights the importance of electrical apprenticeships in the move to low carbon technologies and net zero.
ECA is putting the need for more electrical apprentices firmly at the centre of the new government’s agenda, as the body launched the Electrical Skills Index. The Electrical Skills Index is a dataset analysing how many people in England are starting classroom-based courses compared to apprenticeships – to highlight the areas of the country facing a shocking shortage of electrical skills. It shows constituency by constituency how newly elected MPs in England can champion electrical apprenticeships in their area.
A career in electrical engineering, design or installation can open a whole world of opportunities, and it all starts with an apprenticeship.
ECA’s own Technical Director, and former President, Mike Smith began his electrotechnical career aged 15.
“Undertaking an electrical apprenticeship was the best decision I ever made,” he said. “It gave me the opportunity to learn about electrical theory and the practical elements of how to install various cabling methods, containment, switchgear and electronics.”
“Far from restricting career choices, undertaking an apprenticeship has opened so many doors for me and allowed me to develop as I wanted, at a pace that suited me.”
ECA Edmundson apprentice of the Year 2023 Adam Allenalso decided to take the leap and launch his career with an apprenticeship.
He said, “The electrical industry is always advancing quickly – especially in the low carbon technology sector – so there are so many paths you can choose once you become qualified. I have always maintained that choosing a career in the electrical industry was the best decision I could have made.
“Because the industry is so expansive, there will certainly be a rewarding career path for you too – you just have to reach for it.”
The Electrical Careers website, is the industry approved portal for finding routes into electrical apprenticeships.
This article appears on the ECA news and blog site as 'A-Level results week: ECA champions electrical apprenticeships' dated August 16, 2024.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Apprenticeships.
- Call for support in green electrical apprentice shortfall.
- Coronation recognised eco apprenticeships continue help grow green workforce.
- ECA.
- ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award.
- ECA articles.
- ECA calls on London Mayor to prioritise green electrical skills in the capital.
- New electrical apprentice rates.
- The ECA Recharging Electrical Skills Charter included in key report.
- The general election and why a shortage of electrical apprentices matters.
Featured articles and news
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.