As the construction industry continues to grapple with ongoing skills shortages, we take a closer look at the current demand being felt across the electrical sector specifically. 

While there has been a sense of cautious optimism surrounding the construction industry for 2025 — partly driven by ambitious government plans which include the building of 1.5 million new homes — most industry experts agree that the current gaps in the workforce are simply not sustainable. 

Back in March, Chancellor Rachel Reeves went some way in acknowledging these concerns. To combat this, she pledged £600m worth of investment to help train more than 60,000 skilled workers. 

Demand for electrical installers

In its latest Labour Market Intelligence Report, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) predicts that 47,860 extra workers will be needed each year between now and 2029. Of this, the organisation anticipates that electrical installation trades will see a particularly high influx of new workers, estimating an additional 4,300 people operating in this sector by 2029. 

According to the CITB’s findings, the three main sectors driving increases in construction output will be: infrastructure (4.2% yearly growth average), public new housing (3.4% yearly growth average), and private new housing (3.3% yearly growth average) — all of which present exciting opportunities for qualified electricians. 

In separate research carried out by recruitment firm Approach Personnel, electricians emerged again as one of the most sought-after trades for 2025. By combining data from sources such as CITB, metals4U, and major job boards like Indeed and Totaljobs, Approach Personnel found that nearly 10,000 electrician vacancies were unfilled at the time of their study.

What can be done to solve the electrical skills shortage?

While the Chancellor’s plans to invest in construction skills training are encouraging, much of the funding is earmarked for long-term training solutions, such as colleges and industry placements, doing little to ease the immediate pressure being felt.

This is where alternative training pathways, such as those delivered by private providers, could prove vital in plugging the skills pipeline. These accredited electrical courses can equip complete beginners with industry-recognised qualifications on a much more flexible and efficient basis than traditional methods like apprenticeships and college courses. 

As a comparison, a typical electrical apprenticeship can last anywhere between 2-3 years, whereas a Level 3 electrical qualification can be obtained in as little as 13 weeks with Able Skills. 

If electrical training is something you’re interested in finding out more about, then information on all of our courses can be found online here.