5 top tips for securing an electrical apprenticeship

According to the Electrical Contractors Association, 12,000 newly qualified electricians will be needed every year to meet the industry’s growing needs.

The electrotechnical industry is crying out for talent, with Labour’s ambitious net zero targets depending on a strong pipeline of skilled new electricians entering the industry over the next few years. However, the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) says there simply aren’t enough apprentices to meet this demand.

Moreover, recent research from NICEIC found that some businesses are put off from hiring apprentices because of the significant challenges they face when doing so.
But that doesn’t mean that budding electricians should feel disheartened! By following some of the top tips outlined in this blog, and with a bit of determination and proactivity, you can increase your chances of securing an electrical apprenticeship and get on your way to becoming qualified.

So, what is an apprenticeship?
Before we get started, let’s backtrack a bit. What actually is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a job with training, where you earn a salary and learn on the job. It’s the preferred route into the industry as it enables you to learn the practical skills you need and get work experience at the same time.

Employers can access government funding to provide apprenticeship placements, meaning you won’t have to pay for your training. And they’re not only for young people – government funding covers apprentices of any age, from school leavers to older adults who want to change careers.

There are two types of electrical apprenticeships in England:

• Level 3 domestic electrician – for electricians who undertake electrical work in people’s homes.
• Level 3 installation and maintenance electrician – for electricians who want to work in homes, businesses and other settings.

These apprenticeships sometimes have different names in Scotland and Wales, but they are all designed to give you the skills you need to qualify.

You need at least a Level 3 apprenticeship to become a fully qualified electrician, which takes around three or four years to complete.

NICEIC’s 5 top tips for securing an electrical apprenticeship

1. Brush up your CV

It sounds boring, but a good first impression can make all the difference. Taking the time to sort out your CV, making sure it’s neat and organised and removing any typos or spelling mistakes, could make all the difference when it comes to impressing a prospective apprenticeship provider.

Here are a few things to think about when sorting out your CV:

• Are your contact details correct? There’s no point handing out your CV if businesses can’t get in touch with you!
• Is your CV tailored for the role you’re applying to? It’s more work, but tweaking your CV so that it shows experience and skills suited to the role you’re applying for can really pay off.
• Don’t use your mum, dad or other family members as references. A teacher or work experience employer would be a much better choice, as they will be able to talk about your work ethic and ability to learn – key characteristics that apprenticeship providers will be looking for.

 

2. Use a specialist apprenticeship website

There are special websites that are used by businesses to advertise apprenticeship placements, such as the government’s ‘Find an apprenticeship’ tool. You can use it to search for installation and maintenance electrician apprenticeships or domestic electrician apprenticeships, depending on your preference.

For an apprenticeship website specialising in apprenticeship placements in the building services and engineering sectors, you should also check out JTL. It’s one of the largest work-based learning providers in England and Wales, working with over 3,800 businesses and training over 8,000 learners.

You can also use NICEIC’s ‘Find a trusted tradesperson’ tool to research NICEIC-certified businesses in your area.
 

3. Attend an apprenticeship event

There’s nothing better than showing up to an event in person and getting your face (and CV) in front of prospective apprenticeship providers! As well as being a great space for seeking out apprenticeship opportunities, these events will often feature speeches from past and present apprentices, advice on training and skills development, and tips on how to write a successful CV or job application.

You can find out more about careers events happening near you at Youth Employment UK.

If you’re feeling really brave, you could even get involved with SkillELECTRIC, the electrical industry’s premier skills competition. It’s not just open to apprentices – full-time students and T-Level learners can also get involved! Even if you don’t win, just competing in SkillELECTRIC could help give your CV an edge, impress potential employers, and make it a little bit easier to secure an electrical apprenticeship.
 

4. Take the initiative

In a world where so much communication takes place online, taking the initiative and approaching a business in person about apprenticeship opportunities could really help you stand out from the crowd.

After all, it’s how NICEIC’s Head of Product Development, Alex Robinson, secured the apprenticeship that launched his own career:
“When I left school, I was keen to get straight into an apprenticeship. However, things didn’t quite go to plan. I wasn’t able to secure one right away, so I enrolled on a full-time Level 2 course at my local college (where, funnily enough, I’d eventually come back as a lecturer).

“After almost two terms, I was driving to college one morning when I had a bit of a realisation. I decided I wasn’t going in that day (not that I’m encouraging skiving off) but I just knew it was time to take a different approach. So, I turned the car around, headed home, and got started.

“First, I printed off a stack of CVs. Then, I dug out the Yellow Pages (showing my age here) and made a list of every electrical business in the area. With that done, I spent the day driving around, dropping off my CV in person. Speaking face-to-face with people gave me the chance to explain what I’d been learning at college, show some of my exam results, and make a personal connection.

“By the end of the day, all that effort paid off... I’d secured an apprenticeship. Sometimes, taking a bit of initiative makes all the difference.”
 

5. Don’t be fooled by rogue trainers!

Watch out for any training provider who promises to teach you all the skills you need to become a qualified electrician in a few short weeks or months. It simply isn’t possible to gain the skills and experience you need to become a safe, competent electrician in this timeframe. It will pay to do your research, read some reviews and make sure that the apprenticeship you choose is right for you.

For more information on rogue trainers, we encourage you to visit the Electrotechnical Skills Partnership’s (TESP’s) Rogue Trainer website, where you can find some great hints and tips for choosing the right training provider.

Wise words from a former apprentice
We’ll leave you with a few words from Demi Whitehead, who completed her internship and now works as an electrician at NICEIC-certified business, William Davies Homes:

“I’d always suggest an apprenticeship to anyone thinking about their future. The skills I learnt set me up for my career and the thing I really enjoy about the industry is that there’s always more to learn as it continues to evolve.”

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re keen to pursue an electrotechnical apprenticeship, The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) have a range of resources on training routes, apprenticeships and careers advice.