Electrical trades light up

City & Guilds reveals major increase in uptake of electrical qualifications

Recently City & Guilds released a new study tracking the uptake of its most popular vocational qualifications in the UK over the last 10 years, the electrical industry was singled out for its ever-growing appetite for learning.

According to the research, the sector’s ability to attract new students was clearly demonstrated in the 12 per cent increase in City & Guilds awards gained by electricians during this time - an increase that no other trade could match.  Based on the organisation’s top 20 awards, the sector saw over 85,000 qualifications awarded in 2006-07. 

The research revealed a number of pioneering cities across the country that have seen the light and really developed a taste for electrical learning:

• Sheffield is the electrical capital of the UK where the popularity of electricity courses rose 17 per cent. Almost 6,000 electrical qualifications were completed in the last year alone.
• In 2006-07, like Sheffield, Leeds flew the electrical flag for Yorkshire, attracting 16 per cent more learners into the industry.
• Nottingham saw a 15 per cent increase in the number of electrical qualifications completed in the city.

Plugging the right skills gaps

City & Guilds’ research also shows that Brits are anticipating and responding a number of other skills needs:

• Basic plumbing studies made its debut in the top 10 most popular City & Guilds qualifications two years ago and continues riding high in the list
• Construction awards first entered the top 20 five years ago and has subsequently continued to rise towards the top of the rankings

Find out which electrical qualifications we offer