With the construction industry still struggling with major skills shortages, businesses are often facing uphill battles to find and hire the talent they require.
A number of factors have led to these ongoing issues, including a significant portion of the workforce being lost due to Brexit, many tradespeople nearing or reaching retirement age and continued construction output.
While these shortages are impacting a number of key trades, certain professions have been hit especially hard. One trade which is facing particularly high demand for talent is electrical, with the 2023 UK Trade Skills Index citing this as one of the leading causes of an ‘alarming’ skills gap in construction.
Electrical the most in-demand trade
The Index, which was commissioned by tradesperson directory Checkatrade in partnership with macro-economic research firm, Capital Economics, in spring, predicts that an additional 104,000 electricians will be required by 2032.
Of the 937,000 overall construction workers needed in this period, electrical holds the biggest share of demand above plumbers, bricklayers and carpenters.
Further research conducted by Compare Companies (via Electrical Times) also found that electricians are in demand amongst homeowners, with the profession the third most searched-for trade domestically behind plumbers and locksmiths.
Echoing these findings, Electrical Engineers are currently on the UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL). This is a list of professions where shortages may be filled by migrant workers on skilled work visas due to the high demand for qualified workers in the field.
What is the annual salary of an electrician?
According to Reed’s latest data (correct at the time of writing), the average salary of an electrician in the UK is £39,521. This figure is notably higher than the average UK full-time salary of £33,402.
Is electrical a future-proof career?
As the world moves towards greener energy supplies, it’s already clear that electricians have a major role to play in this transition.
While the day-to-day tasks facing electricians may alter slightly in the long term, many of the fossil fuel alternatives that have become commonplace, including solar panels, heat pumps and wind turbines, all require the expertise of qualified electricians to function.
With this in mind, it could be said that electrical is one of the most future-proof career paths around right now. Combine this with the clear and immediate demand for those holding the necessary electrical qualifications, and the career is a uniquely attractive prospect.