The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) has cautiously welcomed the UK Government’s proposed Clean Energy Jobs Plan, which aims to double the employee base in the UK’s clean energy industries by 2030, adding 400,000 jobs. The ECA, along with other industry observers, supports this goal but urges ministers to engage more closely with the engineering services sector to ensure delivery.
Andrew Eldred, Deputy CEO of ECA, expressed optimism about the recognition of plumbers, HVAC engineers, and electricians in the plan as priority occupations needing recruitment and training boosts. However, Eldred raised concerns about the lack of detail on implementation. To date, there has been no sustained strategic engagement from the UK Government with engineering services organisations responsible for training and employing the workforce.
This issue has been raised by the ECA previously. While setting goals is positive, the industry requires a pipeline of talent to fill necessary roles. The ECA’s recent survey highlighted ongoing recruitment challenges within the engineering services sector.
The ECA argues that the current plan places the burden of recruitment and training largely on firms, calling for structured coordination between government and industry. Eldred expressed hope for closer collaboration with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Education, the Department for Work and Pensions, and Skills England to develop a workforce capable of delivering a clean energy transition.
