UK Electrician Champions Free, Hands-On Training
Pushing back against superficial certifications, a UK electrician is offering free, hands-on training for skills like solar installation. He argues that real-world competence is more valuable than just "box-ticking CPD" (Continuing Professional Development), a sentiment that focuses on building genuine skills to grow a business.
The push for practical skills in the UK's electrical trade comes as the country's solar capacity has surpassed 17.2 GW. This growth is creating significant demand for qualified installers to help meet the government's ambitious target of increasing solar capacity to 70 GW by 2035. To become a certified solar photovoltaic (PV) installer, a UK electrician must first hold a Level 3 electrical qualification, be current with the 18th Edition wiring regulations, and then complete a specialized Level 3 Award in the Installation of Small-Scale Photovoltaics. These solar-specific courses typically cost between £450 and £900, plus value-added tax. This emphasis on upskilling aligns with the requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is essential for electricians to maintain their competence and certifications from bodies like the NICEIC. CPD is not limited to formal courses and can include webinars, trade magazine reading, or toolbox talks, all of which are tracked to demonstrate ongoing learning. The UK government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero projects that the solar PV sector could support as many as 35,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030. This workforce is critical for initiatives like the 2027 mandate requiring all new homes in England to be equipped with solar panels. Beyond basic installation, electricians are increasingly expanding their services to include battery energy storage systems (EESS). The UK market for battery storage is projected to see a six-fold increase over the next five years, reaching 34.6 GW of capacity by 2028. Some training providers partner with government authorities to offer funded "Skills Bootcamps." These intensive programs are designed to help qualified electricians gain the necessary renewable technology qualifications, like solar PV and EESS installation, to meet the growing demand.
