Alliance launched in Cheshire to collaborate on filling local electrical skills gaps

​​​​​​​The collaboration aims to take meaningful joint action to strengthen electrotechnical skills development and careers provision within the region

An alliance bringing together local electrical businesses, industry bodies, education providers and public authorities has been launched in Cheshire. 

The collaboration, known as the Cheshire & Warrington Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA), aims to take meaningful joint action to strengthen electrotechnical skills development and careers provision within the region and help close local electrical skills gaps. 

The Alliance is a joint initiative led by ECA (the Electrical Contractors’ Association) and its Members with South & North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.  

The ETCA launch event took place near Chester on 24 September, with a wide range of electrical businesses, industry bodies, education providers, and public authorities meeting to agree on electrical skills priorities in the region.

As a first step, it was agreed to focus on the current workforce. This will include supporting partially qualified, experienced workers to become fully qualified and competent electricians.

Secondly, the ETCA will support qualified electricians in developing a wider skillset related to Green Technologies such as EV charging points, Solar PV, and Battery Storage.

The ETCA will also work to enhance relationships between local educational providers, employers, and industry bodies to help ensure that more aspiring electricians can access apprenticeships.