b'Partner News Summer 2022 15EnterpriseNo net zero without electricians to make it workBy Carl Bennett, CEO & Founder, Tradeskills4U.co.uk.The UK Domestic Trades Skill Index,These categories can generally be defined commissioned by the HomeServe Foundationas:charity, found that by the end of 2030 the UK will need an additional one million workersBasic Electrical Maintenance Operative to meet construction demandsthats only changing basic electrical accessories seven and a half years away! such as sockets and light switches on a like-for-like basis.An increase in job changes over the pandemic, combined with an exodus ofElectrical Improvermaking minor 191,000 EU workers under 50, has pushedadditions or alterations, such as adding the average ages of the industry up, with aextra sockets or lighting points to an third now aged over 50.existing circuit.However, although apprenticeships are, and will continue to be the traditional route to Varying skill sets in theSupervised Electricianundertaking ajoining the industry, the skills shortage is electrical industry wide variety of electrical work, installationat such a level that apprenticeships alone Operatives working in the electrical industryof new circuits, and installing andcannot meet this demand. There needs to have varying skill sets based on the type andreplacing switchgear.be fewer hurdles in place for those to whom nature of the electrical work undertaken. Thethe apprenticeship system is not an option; IET Wiring Regulations state that electricalElectrical Supervisorundertakingtypically, adults between 25 and 40 years installers shall be either skilled or instructedall relevant electrical work and can alsoold, currently in a job but wanting a career [2] in the erection and initial verification ofsupervise. change. electrical installations. Routes to becoming an electrician For the skills shortage to be addressed, there Many installation and maintenance firmsIt has previously been difficult for anyoneneeds to be a new innovative approach. place their operatives into categoriesworking in domestic properties to becomeRecognising skills and competencies are key, based on their level of skill, as is allowedqualified electricians (to NVQ level 3 orand without a new approach, net zero is under current regulations, not on theirequivalent). The new Domestic Electricalunachievable. Whether energy is produced qualifications, but on their capability ofApprenticeship will improve the situationby nuclear, PV or flapping of a birds wing - if undertaking electrical tasks safely andand encourage access for those previouslythere isnt an electrician at the end fitting it competently. excluded. all together, the big sky plans are irrelevant.'