This week celebrates the vital role that apprenticeships play in building a skilled workforce. Richard Orton, CEO, NICEIC discusses the benefits apprenticeships deliver for businesses and the sector
National Apprenticeship Week celebrates the vital role that apprenticeships play in building a skilled workforce and enabling the electrical industry to meet future demand. Richard Orton, CEO of NICEIC, discusses the opportunities and benefits that apprenticeships deliver for businesses and the wider electrical sector.
“National Apprenticeship Week provides a fantastic opportunity to shine the spotlight on the invaluable contributions that apprenticeships make to our industry.
“For many years those of us working in the sector have been aware of the challenges arising as a result of the skills gap and the level of new talent we need to bring through to address it. As demand for new technologies, especially in renewable energy increases, the electrical industry needs to both replace those that will exit the industry through retirement and grow the talent pipeline, to create sufficient capacity for future electrical installations across housing, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
“To meet this demand, we need a concerted effort from the entire industry to ensure we have new talent starting apprenticeships, as well as businesses that can help apprentices to learn and develop. For businesses, there are many benefits in recruiting an apprentice and that is something that is clearly recognised by those who currently employ apprentices or who have taken them on in the past.
“In our recent survey of NICEIC-certified businesses, we found that of the firms looking to grow over the next three years, almost half (44%) said that they intend to take on a new apprentice in 2025.
“We understand the challenges many electrical businesses are facing, particularly against the backdrop of rising costs and an uncertain economic outlook. The research also looked at the reasons why businesses aren’t choosing to employ an apprentice, with cost unsurprisingly (41%) cited as the top reason followed by the administrative burden involved (36%).
“At NICEIC, we’re committed to supporting the industry build the talent pipeline we need and recognise that apprenticeships play a key role in the growth of the sector. We’re currently looking at ways to further support NICEIC-certified businesses as they look to take on new apprentices by ensuring the right structures are in place to help businesses find the talent they need.
“This week is about celebrating the value of apprenticeships, and the most pleasing part is seeing the great stories from many former apprentices about the careers they have gone on to enjoy, as well as testimony from businesses that have taken on apprentices and have seen them enjoy long careers making a positive impact. We’re proud to continue to develop apprentices within our own business and we certainly recognise the immense value of investing in and nurturing talent to futureproof this industry.”
