Ansell Lighting has taken its support partnership with Warrington & Vale Royal College to the next level, by challenging students with real-life projects, designed to enhance learning, develop practical skills and support future careers.

The tasks set by Ansell’s Lighting Design Manager, Ken Chua, required the students to create lighting schemes for different environments using Relux – an application used by manufacturers to establish the number and placement of light fittings in a space.

Students currently undertaking the Level 1 City and Guild certification in Electrical Installation, worked collaboratively to design a lighting scheme for a sports hall. The assessment considered the placement of light fittings, and emergency fitments, as well as their ability to factor in sustainability – such as the replacement of old halogens with energy efficient LEDs.

Level 3 students working towards the Advanced Technical Diploma in Electrical Installation were tasked with creating a lighting scheme for a large open office space, which featured additional rooms such as a reception, canteen and toilets. Their work will be assessed based on their research of appropriate lighting levels and will contribute to their final qualification.

Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting, said: “We have worked with the College extensively in recent years providing support and resources for electrical apprentices and full time students, as well as team members undertaking regular talks and presentations on the latest lighting technology and products, but this is the first time we have worked with them on a lighting project.

“We’re proud to be able to support local future talent and are looking forward to seeing what solutions the students come up with. Hopefully this experience will give them the skills they need to progress their studies and careers.”

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Marcus Walsh, Director at Ventilux, highlights the apprenticeship opportunities the company has championed with Hugh Baird College.

At Ventilux, we believe in building more than emergency lighting systems – we’re building careers, confidence and long-term futures. As an independent emergency lighting manufacturer, we’re proud to play a hands-on role in developing the next generation of electrical engineers. Incredibly, not one but three of our current employees have all been studying at Hugh Baird College, combining academic learning with real-world experience on-site. For us, apprenticeships are not a tick-box exercise. They are an essential part of how we grow our business, strengthen our team and invest in the industry’s future.

Daniel Bold, Reece Webb and Harry Adams are shining examples of why apprenticeships matter. Each of them is gaining practical, hands-on experience in live environments while contributing to high-profile projects across the UK – from Manchester Airport and historic London landmarks to major installations in Scotland.

Competence and confidence

Working on complex emergency lighting installations gives our apprentices invaluable exposure to real challenges: compliance, coordination with other trades, problem-solving on-site, and delivering to strict safety standards. This practical learning complements their college studies and accelerates both their technical competence and professional confidence.

By working with a respected local college, we’re able to align on training standards, ensure apprentices receive the right academic support, and maintain open communication about their development.

Les Simmons, Ventilux’s Installation and Service Supervisor and mentor to the apprentices, explains: “Ventilux is a family-run business that wanted to provide apprenticeships to local young people to grow the team. Working with a local college, such as Hugh Baird, is a great professional relationship.”

That partnership ensures apprentices benefit from structured learning in the classroom while developing practical skills under experienced supervision on-site.

Daniel Bold joined Ventilux in June 2024 after completing his Level 1 and 2 Diplomas at Hugh Baird College. He has quickly become a valued member of the team and describes Ventilux as a “supportive, nice, family-run team.” His progression demonstrates how apprenticeships can provide a clear pathway from education into meaningful employment.

Reece Webb began his apprenticeship in October 2024, transitioning from the Autocare sector. With no prior electrical experience, Reece brought determination and a strong work ethic. His rapid development highlights the accessibility of apprenticeships to those willing to learn and embrace a new career path.

Harry Adams, our newest apprentice, joined us after completing his Level 2 and 3 Diplomas. He has found a welcoming, growth-focused environment where he can continue to build on his qualifications while gaining valuable site experience.

The electrical and emergency lighting sectors face ongoing skills shortages. For independent manufacturers like Ventilux, the solution isn’t simply to recruit talent – it’s to create it.

Fresh perspectives

By nurturing apprentices from the start of their careers, we’re not only strengthening our own team but also contributing to the wider industry. Apprentices bring fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and a willingness to embrace new technologies. In return, we provide mentorship, structured development and the opportunity to work on prestigious, technically demanding projects.

As a family-run business, we take pride in creating a supportive environment where young professionals can grow, make mistakes, learn and ultimately thrive. For Ventilux, apprenticeships aren’t just about today’s workforce. They’re about ensuring that the next generation of engineers is skilled, confident and ready to uphold the highest standards in safety and compliance. By investing in people now, we’re helping to secure a stronger future for our business – and for the industry as a whole.

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The latest ‘Apprenticeship Gap Report’ has found that the electrical trade faces the most severe deficit across all sectors analysed, with a 227:1 ratio representing a gap of just over 9,600 unfilled positions.

The research, created by power tool accessories specialist DART Tool Group, analysed data from the Department for Education, the Office of National Statistics (ONS), and job board site Reed across six UK trade sectors, revealing where the skills crisis is most severe, why training pathways are under strain, and what strategic actions employers can take to strengthen their future workforce.

Across all trades analysed, there are just 809 apprenticeship openings to fill over 86,000 current job vacancies, a ratio of 106 jobs competing for every single apprenticeship place.

Hardest hit within the electrical sector are in Electrical Building Services, with 281 job openings for every one apprentice that qualifies.

Although apprenticeship starts have grown 35% since 2021/2022, low completion rates of just 26% in the past year mean the surge in interest has not yet converted into the skilled workforce needed, leaving a persistent gap between demand and supply.

A similar pattern follows Electrical Engineering roles, which had 256 vacancies per apprentice completer, and starts declining year-on-year by 33%. However, completion rates are somewhat higher, with 50% of apprentices completing their programmes in the last year.

Installation & Maintenance Electricians face a smaller deficit at 77:1, but starts have declined year-on-year by 11% and completion rates for the 2024/2025 intake remain modest at 39%.

While broadly defined Electrician positions have fewer jobs per apprentice opening (63:1), starts overall have dropped 16% year-on-year, coupled with persistently low completion rates. Combined, this indicates the trade is persistently facing limited interest and uptake, which may threaten the skilled pipeline.

Ryan Paterson, Managing Director at DART Tool Group, commented: “The findings from our ‘Apprenticeship Gap Report’ have demonstrated that, with a stronger, more effective apprenticeship system and active encouragement and promotion of trade industry jobs, the risk of a widening skills gap can be reduced.

“The UK’s electrical sector is facing some of the toughest shortages in recent years, with our data finding a deficit of 227:1. By partnering with local colleges, addressing misconceptions about trade roles, and providing flexible on-site learning, businesses can gradually fill the positions needed to meet the ambitious housebuilding targets.”

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Scolmore Group has announced the donation of a range of electrical accessory products to Telford College to support students pursuing careers in electrical and engineering fields.

The donation includes an assortment of high-quality products from across the Scolmore Group of companies including Click switches and sockets, Elucian distribution boards and Unicrimp cable accessories. These products will be integrated into the college’s practical training programmes, giving students hands-on experience with industry-standard materials.

“We are passionate about investing in the future of the electrical industry,” said Neil McManus, Technical Engagement Engineer, Scolmore Group. “By providing these essential products to Telford College, we hope to inspire and equip the next generation of skilled professionals who will drive innovation and excellence in our sector. As the industry constantly develops, with different emerging technologies available to generate electricity, there will always be a constant demand for electricians in every sector.”

Luke Foster, environmental technology lecturer at Telford College, said: “We are incredibly thankful for this support from Scolmore Group. Access to up-to-date and industry-standard equipment is vital for our students, and this generous donation will make a real difference in their training and readiness for the workforce. It will be used by our current electrical installation students, our electrical installation and maintenance apprentices and our introduction to basic electronics adult course, keeping their studies as up to date as possible.

“Some of the equipment we’ve been given, such as the Ovia Click Flow system for lighting, introduces new installation methods and will give students a huge advantage when starting their careers in the electrical industry.

“Studying electrical installations is so important, our courses cover a vast range of topics including sockets and systems, all the way up to distribution boards. It’s one of the most evolving areas in construction, with so much innovation and it’s going to keep expanding.  Making ties with local companies such as Scolmore Group is fundamental to the progression of our courses and the college as a whole.”

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JTL has launched a bold new campaign urging employers to take on an apprentice and invest in their future workforce.

The campaign, Powering Apprenticeships. Fuelling Business, comes at a time of mounting pressure on the UK’s skilled trades. With demand growing in core areas such as electrical installation, low-carbon technologies and heating and plumbing services, JTL is appealing directly to employers to act now and secure the next generation of qualified professionals in these safety-critical industries.

JTL currently supports over 8,000 apprentices in partnership with more than 3,800 employers across England and Wales; mostly small and micro businesses.

Recent reforms to funding have increased the accessibility of apprenticeships, particularly for small businesses. Employers with fewer than 50 staff can now access fully funded apprenticeships for individuals aged 16 to 21, helping to reduce upfront costs associated with recruitment and training. JTL also provides each apprentice with a workplace toolkit and access to digital learning resources as part of its standard offer, aiming to support both the apprentice’s development and the employer’s onboarding process.

Hayley Tabberer, Employer Campaign Manager, said: “Our apprentices are job-ready and supported from the very start. This campaign reflects the energy and confidence we see in our learners every day – and in the employers who choose to invest in them.”

Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JTL, added: “The UK is at a tipping point. The demand for skilled electricians and plumbing professionals is rising rapidly, but the workforce is shrinking. We are seeing some employers hesitate, but now is the moment to lean in. Apprenticeships are not a cost – they are an investment in futureproofing your business. Our campaign is a direct call to employers: if you want to remain competitive, sustainable and skilled for the future, it’s time to take action.”

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Achieving the UK government’s target of 70GW of Solar Power by 2035 raises some significant challenges.

One of these is the availability of electricians qualified to install and commission Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) and other low carbon technologies. According to new research commissioned by The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership, the country fortunately needs just 500 more qualified electricians each year to realise its Solar aspirations.

The research, carried out by Pye Tait, shows that for many electrical firms installing Solar PV is not their sole occupation. A fully qualified electrician can upskill to install Solar PV, Energy Storage Systems and other net zero technologies in just a few days. Electrical apprenticeships in England already incorporate training in low carbon and smart technologies, including Solar PV. What’s more, employing qualified electricians provides business agility, as they can integrate a range of different technologies to work efficiently together, all at the same time.

The new data shows that while employers involved in Solar PV currently identify challenges in recruiting and training more electricians, 500 more each year is entirely achievable. With improvements in the skills system and greater collaboration between industry and education, there is a clear path to removing existing obstacles.

The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), has recently launched the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter. The Charter calls for closer ties between industry, governments and education, to grow the competent electrical workforce to support the net zero transition. The trade body highlights the importance of electricians to the energy transition. It sees the short-term fix of ‘bootcamp style’ courses for new entrants as a cul-de-sac for learners and industry, as well as a waste of public resources.

Andrew Eldred, ECA’s Director of Workforce and Public Affairs, said: “Electrical courses of all kinds are in huge demand, so it’s clear there is no shortage of people wanting to join the industry. The main problem is completing learners’ training to the right, industry-recognised standards. To increase the size of the qualified electrical workforce, we must fix the broken skills pipeline. The Recharging Electrical Skills Charter offers an achievable policy programme to mend the broken pipeline. This will boost the numbers of qualified electricians needed to achieve the UK’s net zero targets.”

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This year Aico has been working with JTL Training in Ashford, Kent to provide their students with Aico’s free, award-winning Expert Installer Training.

JTL is one of the largest work-based learning providers in England and Wales working with over 3,800 businesses from large corporations to small local suppliers. JTL is currently working with over 8,000 learners and trains more apprentices than anyone else in the building services and engineering sector.

Aico’s FIA CPD accredited Expert Installer Training is designed to ensure electrical contractors have all the information they need to install domestic fire and carbon monoxide alarm systems. Guaranteeing effective fire safety protection for customers relies on alarm systems being installed correctly. It is important that young people who are entering the work environment are given the correct information when it comes to installing life safety devices.

The students at JTL were also provided with information and a demonstration of the HomeLINK Connected Home Solution. The system can extract and collate data directly from alarm heads and Environmental Sensors and be made available from a user-friendly dashboard. These actionable insights enable preventative measures and proactive maintenance of Landlords’ housing portfolios.

Once students have completed Expert Installer training, they are invited to join the Aico Installer Community – a connected online platform built to support Expert Installers. Members of the community are eligible to participate in Aico’s free-of-charge City & Guilds Assured Training – Domestic Fire &CO Alarm Systems.

Aico’s Regional Specification Manager (RSM), Paul Barrett, who provided the training, added: “Educating future generations is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. It has been great to work with Russell Griffiths and Dave Cunningham educating their students on the importance of installing Domestic Fire and CO alarms to British Standards BS 5839-P6 and BS 50292. It is now becoming an annual event and I hope we can roll the training out to all their colleges.”

JTL’s Senior Electrical Tutor, Russell Griffiths, commented: “I have been teaching electrical installations for 17 years and it has always baffled me that fire alarms do not form more of a part of the qualification than they do. So, with this in mind, I made an approach to Paul Barrett of Aico to see if the company could provide CPD to our learners here at JTL Ashford.

“On meeting with Paul, I could tell that Aico were going to be very proactive partners in the assistance they were to give us, and it was fantastic to hear about the Expert Installer training that they could provide for our learners. We arranged a date for Paul to come in and deliver the training and I have to say it was of great benefit to our learners. Students were actively engaged from start to finish and all were provided with a certificate of completion, that they could add to their CPD files and off-the-job training logs.

“All learners found the session very useful and were happy with gaining a better understanding of domestic smoke alarm systems and the different types of protection offered with Aico products, Paul was very professional and able to deliver a good session to our learners with his expert knowledge.

“Moving forward, Paul has arranged for a bespoke display board to be made for our workshop enabling the learners to have access to not only demonstrate products but also can be made live to enable learners to test functionality. I hope that we can have a Paul back every year to deliver to our learners because the service that Aico and Paul provide is a valuable addition to our curriculum here and I believe that it should be used widely throughout our organisation.”

Supporting education is a big focus for Aico and they have a dedicated team of 29 RSMs, delivering fully accredited CPD courses across the UK.

To find out more, you can find your local RSM here

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