Are UK electricians ready to lead the charge in the solar energy transition? The team at City & Guilds look at the reasons why there has never been a better time for electrical professionals to start broadening their horizons.
With domestic and commercial energy at the centre of the push for net zero, electricians have a huge role to play in meeting sustainability goals and creating a greener future. But is the industry ready to meet the UKβs green technology needs?
According to the Skills4Climate report from the ECA, almost half of electrical employers donβt currently have access to the skilled employees they need to complete solar PV or electrical energy storage systems work.
When the government and major developers are all looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions and move towards more renewable technologies, there is a great opportunity for electricians and electrical employers to upskill to meet the emerging demand.
Increasing demand for green technologies
With rising energy prices and pressure to reduce individual and organisational carbon footprint, finding ways to reduce energy consumption from fossil fuels is increasingly a priority for both domestic and commercial buildings.
Last year registered solar PV installations rose by 30% to 189,826. Homeowners and businesses are also investing in electrical energy storage to allow them to store excess electricity generated and become less reliant on the national grid.
This growing demand for greener buildings is also reflected in last yearβs 20% increase in the number of heat pumps installed. Both financial and environmental motivations are seeing homeowners taking advantage of the England and Wales Boiler Upgrade Scheme or the Home Energy Scotland loan to replace existing boilers.
Preparing the industry for the green economy
The energy transition is already well underway, bringing with it valuable opportunities for electricians to take on new projects, reach new customers and make a vital contribution to the UKβs net zero future.
If the industry is going to rise to the occasion and meet the growing demand for a greener society, electricians β wherever in they are in their career journeys β must have the skills and knowledge to design, install and maintain the green technologies that will get us there.
Home and business owners will be keen to avoid damage or accidents following poorly completed installations, while manufacturers will be looking to qualified electricians β trained in these new technologies β to install and maintain EV charging points, solar panels, heat pumps or energy storage systems.
Having the technical knowledge and competence to safely and efficiently work with new green technologies can set sole traders or small and medium size businesses apart. This is a key opportunity to differentiate in a growing, yet competitive market.
Closing the green skills gap
If the UK governmentβs net zero targets are going to be met, renewable technology must become efficient and widely accessible, and the workforce must be prepared and competent as green technologies roll out.
To support the demand for green technology skills, City & Guilds has developed a new suite of qualifications, including solar PV and electrical energy storage systems. These are designed to provide electricians with the required skills and knowledge to work with these technologies safely.
Launched in early November, the Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Small Solar Photovoltaic Systems (2922-34) and Level 3 Award in the Design, Installation and Commissioning of Small Electrical Energy Storage Systems (2923-34) align with the MCS technical specification, and the latest National Occupational Standards.
These qualifications meet the relevant industry standards, including the Electrician Plus trademark requirements. They are recognised as part of the ECS Gold Card and approved by the JIB Skills Development fund, meaning member companies can access funding for the courses for their employees.
They are part of an expanding green technology offer from City & Guilds which also includes EV charging and retrofit qualifications. A new air source heat pump installation qualification will launch this month.
With sustainability and green skills high on the agenda in all the governmentβs Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), there is also the opportunity to work with local colleges and training providers to secure funding for green technology qualifications.
Time to invest in the future of the industry
A skilled electrical workforce is the cornerstone of the UK built environment and energy net zero strategies. It is now over to you to ensure that your workforce can play its key role in building our greener future.
Find out more about the new qualification by catching up with the recent City & Guilds webinar here
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