The UK Trade Skills Index for 2023 says the construction sector will need 104,000 more electricians by 2032,
Paul Collins | Technical Director
Electrical contractors have a key role in the UK's transition to net zero, but there aren't enough of them. The UK Trade Skills Index for 2023 says the construction sector will need 104,000 more electricians by 2032, among more than a million skilled workers needed in 11 different construction trades by then.
The best way to address these skills shortages is to attract more young people - including women - into the built environment industries. Might T Levels, a relatively new type of technical qualification, help bridge this gap?
One T Level is the equivalent of three A Levels, and these two-year courses combine academic content with technical training, including a work placement of at least 315 hours (45 days). By September 2024, 21 different T Levels will be offered across the UK, including the Building Services Engineering (BSE) for Construction T Level. Launched in 2021, it’s core component teaches about the wider construction sector, and its occupational specialism options include electrical and electronic engineering, or electrotechnical engineering.
The BSE T Level for Construction is offered by more than 80 colleges and education providers around England (while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland retain different training pathways). However, with 158 general further education colleges in England, plus more training providers, there is plenty of room to increase that provision.
NICEIC Technical Director Paul Collins was on the advisory group that helped design the T Level. "It will train someone to the point where they are useful, but not the finished article," he says. "They'll have more overall knowledge about the building services and construction sector than if they had completed an apprenticeship straightaway. But they can also then transition to an apprenticeship." With a T Level under their belt, they should cut months off their apprenticeship.
Roll-out of this T Level means funding for some older technical qualifications, including intermediate and advanced diplomas in electrical installation, will end in September 2024. But these qualifications rarely included work placements, and between 2017 and 2020 only around 10% of learners who completed these diplomas and certificates moved on to an electrical apprenticeship, according to research compiled by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and training company JTL for The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP).
Leicester College was an early adopter of T Levels and around 60 students take the BSE for Construction T Level there each year. Derek Watters, who leads delivery of the T Level at the college, says learners tend to head in three different directions afterwards. Around 5-10% go on to higher education, while another small group go straight into employment. The most common destination is an electrical apprenticeship.
In 2023, around a fifth of Leicester College's T Level learners failed to complete the course because they were offered an apprenticeship mid-course. This is positive but has some downsides.
"If that's what you want, that's great - but you won't get an appreciation of the construction sector as a whole or see all the opportunities it can offer," says Watters. Learners at Leicester are also given the opportunity to complete the City & Guilds 2382 18th Edition Wiring Regulations course after their T Level and before starting their apprenticeship.
Furthermore, the EGA's Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Eldred, points out that in previous years about 20,000 young people enrolled on the older technical diplomas and certificates. Defunding them will create problems for some colleges. "I'd be very surprised if the further education sector has the capacity from September to take 20,000 people on to T Levels," he says. "So, there'll be a significant contraction of learners coming through those courses. Some might say this is good, because very few people progressed from those courses to an apprenticeship. But the jury is still out as to whether T Levels are going to be better at that."
Oldham College has offered the T Level since 2021, and its 2023/2024 cohort comprises 50 electrical and 23 plumbing learners. Tom Leahy, Oldham's Head of the Department of Building Services, Construction and Motor Vehicles, says a lack of Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Alliance cards was a barrier to the first cohort of learners working on building sites. ECS (electrical), PMES (plumbing) and other CSCS Alliance scheme operators now offer specific cards for T Level work placements. So far, it hasn't been difficult to find work placements, but he wonders "if this might change as learner numbers keep growing".
"There are always going to be challenges getting employers to offer work placements," says Kevin Sparrow, Industry and Portfolio Manager for ESE at EAL, which worked with City & Guilds to create the BSE for Construction T Level. "Contractors may not be thinking about supporting the talent pipeline [but] ... work placements provide a hands-on feel as to what this kind of work is all about."
"You're helping the next generation and it sets you apart from [competitors] who aren't engaging," says Smith at TESP. The organisation is running a campaign with educational charity the Gatsby Foundation to help businesses find out more about T Level placements, their benefits and the support available.
NICEIC-certified Lewin Electrical Services in Leicester already offers T Level placements. The company has two employees and hosts five T Level learners on different days each week. Owner Daniel Lewin says each learner, aged 16 or 17, has slightly different attributes and requirements. "We're having to provide extra support for some, but others we can leave to get on with stuff," he says. "The ones who are over-confident are rushing too much, and [ we try to] encourage the ones who aren't confident."
What would he say to other NICEIC-certified businesses considering getting involved? "Give it a go. It's about nurturing somebody at the start of their career, and then you've got your apprentice if you want them."
Sparrow backs this up, adding: "It'll change things for the better. A pipeline of young people undertaking a high-quality qualification helps secure a better pipeline into apprenticeships and other meaningful progression that will help the industry."
"It's an improvement on what's gone before - but it's only going to work if industry supports it," cautions Eldred.
NICEIC's Paul Collins agrees. "The sticking point is the work placement."
The best way to address these skills shortages is to attract more young people - including women - into the built environment industries. Might T Levels, a relatively new type of technical qualification, help bridge this gap?
One T Level is the equivalent of three A Levels, and these two-year courses combine academic content with technical training, including a work placement of at least 315 hours (45 days). By September 2024, 21 different T Levels will be offered across the UK, including the Building Services Engineering (BSE) for Construction T Level. Launched in 2021, it’s core component teaches about the wider construction sector, and its occupational specialism options include electrical and electronic engineering, or electrotechnical engineering.
The BSE T Level for Construction is offered by more than 80 colleges and education providers around England (while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland retain different training pathways). However, with 158 general further education colleges in England, plus more training providers, there is plenty of room to increase that provision.
NICEIC Technical Director Paul Collins was on the advisory group that helped design the T Level. "It will train someone to the point where they are useful, but not the finished article," he says. "They'll have more overall knowledge about the building services and construction sector than if they had completed an apprenticeship straightaway. But they can also then transition to an apprenticeship." With a T Level under their belt, they should cut months off their apprenticeship.
Roll-out of this T Level means funding for some older technical qualifications, including intermediate and advanced diplomas in electrical installation, will end in September 2024. But these qualifications rarely included work placements, and between 2017 and 2020 only around 10% of learners who completed these diplomas and certificates moved on to an electrical apprenticeship, according to research compiled by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and training company JTL for The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP).
Opportunity knocks
TESP's Skills Ambassador, Nathan Smith, thinks the BSE for Construction T Level could be "a very good option" for someone considering working in the built environment industries but who's not yet sure. That's because the course reveals the full range of career opportunities in these industries. He also thinks the broader nature of the course might encourage more young women to consider this sector.Leicester College was an early adopter of T Levels and around 60 students take the BSE for Construction T Level there each year. Derek Watters, who leads delivery of the T Level at the college, says learners tend to head in three different directions afterwards. Around 5-10% go on to higher education, while another small group go straight into employment. The most common destination is an electrical apprenticeship.
In 2023, around a fifth of Leicester College's T Level learners failed to complete the course because they were offered an apprenticeship mid-course. This is positive but has some downsides.
"If that's what you want, that's great - but you won't get an appreciation of the construction sector as a whole or see all the opportunities it can offer," says Watters. Learners at Leicester are also given the opportunity to complete the City & Guilds 2382 18th Edition Wiring Regulations course after their T Level and before starting their apprenticeship.
Furthermore, the EGA's Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Eldred, points out that in previous years about 20,000 young people enrolled on the older technical diplomas and certificates. Defunding them will create problems for some colleges. "I'd be very surprised if the further education sector has the capacity from September to take 20,000 people on to T Levels," he says. "So, there'll be a significant contraction of learners coming through those courses. Some might say this is good, because very few people progressed from those courses to an apprenticeship. But the jury is still out as to whether T Levels are going to be better at that."
Work placements
The element of the T Level that really makes a difference is the work placement, but finding willing employers could be a challenge over the next few years. The many electrical contractors that are small or micro businesses may struggle with the practicalities, such as the costs and logistics of getting a learner on site and appropriately equipped.Oldham College has offered the T Level since 2021, and its 2023/2024 cohort comprises 50 electrical and 23 plumbing learners. Tom Leahy, Oldham's Head of the Department of Building Services, Construction and Motor Vehicles, says a lack of Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Alliance cards was a barrier to the first cohort of learners working on building sites. ECS (electrical), PMES (plumbing) and other CSCS Alliance scheme operators now offer specific cards for T Level work placements. So far, it hasn't been difficult to find work placements, but he wonders "if this might change as learner numbers keep growing".
"There are always going to be challenges getting employers to offer work placements," says Kevin Sparrow, Industry and Portfolio Manager for ESE at EAL, which worked with City & Guilds to create the BSE for Construction T Level. "Contractors may not be thinking about supporting the talent pipeline [but] ... work placements provide a hands-on feel as to what this kind of work is all about."
Get involved
Could your business offer T Level work placements? Contractors as well as learners’ benefit. Businesses might spot a good candidate for an apprenticeship or a future full-time role. And it can be good for publicity:"You're helping the next generation and it sets you apart from [competitors] who aren't engaging," says Smith at TESP. The organisation is running a campaign with educational charity the Gatsby Foundation to help businesses find out more about T Level placements, their benefits and the support available.
NICEIC-certified Lewin Electrical Services in Leicester already offers T Level placements. The company has two employees and hosts five T Level learners on different days each week. Owner Daniel Lewin says each learner, aged 16 or 17, has slightly different attributes and requirements. "We're having to provide extra support for some, but others we can leave to get on with stuff," he says. "The ones who are over-confident are rushing too much, and [ we try to] encourage the ones who aren't confident."
What would he say to other NICEIC-certified businesses considering getting involved? "Give it a go. It's about nurturing somebody at the start of their career, and then you've got your apprentice if you want them."
Raising standards
Alex Robinson, Lead Technical Advisor for BSE at EAL, thinks the T Level will raise standards. "Young people coming through this system will be more confident, with knowledge of the sector and things like project management, alongside technical skills."Sparrow backs this up, adding: "It'll change things for the better. A pipeline of young people undertaking a high-quality qualification helps secure a better pipeline into apprenticeships and other meaningful progression that will help the industry."
"It's an improvement on what's gone before - but it's only going to work if industry supports it," cautions Eldred.
NICEIC's Paul Collins agrees. "The sticking point is the work placement."
