College helps launch new alliance to tackle London's electrical skills shortage

The College has played a leading role in the launch of the Local London Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA), bringing together employers, education providers and other industry-aligned organisations to strengthen the pipeline of skilled electricians across the capital.

The launch marks an important milestone in the College's commitment to supporting London's construction sector and delivering the green skills needed for the transition to a net-zero economy and to meet the government’s building and refurbishment targets.

The new alliance has been established in response to growing demand for qualified electricians at a time when the UK's electrical workforce has been declining since 2018. Although more than 7,000 electrotechnical apprenticeships begin each year nationally, the number remains well below the level needed to meet industry demand.

Within the Local London sub-region, the challenge is particularly acute, highlighting the need for stronger links between education and employment.

The ETCA aims to address this by creating a closer partnership between employers, colleges and industry organisations, ensuring training reflects the skills businesses need while creating clearer progression routes into apprenticeships and employment.

The College is one of the founding partners of the alliance and has also been recognised as a key partner within the Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) programme, a national government initiative backed by £100 million of investment that aims to train 40,000 people by 2029.

Together, the CTEC programme and the ETCA will help transform electrotechnical training across the region. While CTEC provides investment in high-quality facilities and Department for Education-backed standards, the ETCA ensures employers have a direct voice in shaping local training priorities and workforce development.

Chris Davies, consulant at Barnet and Southgate College, said: "The Local London ETCA represents a significant opportunity to reshape how the electrotechnical skills system responds to employer demand. The challenge isn't simply attracting more learners into the sector—it's creating a joined-up skills pipeline that enables more people to progress into apprenticeships and sustained employment. By aligning education, industry and government priorities, we're building a model that is responsive to the needs of employers today while preparing the workforce needed to deliver London's long-term growth, infrastructure ambitions and transition to a net-zero economy. We're proud to be playing a leading role in driving that collaboration."

The launch event, held at Barnet & Southgate College's Southgate Campus, was led by Keith Sanderson, Head of Education & Skills at the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA). Representatives from leading employers, training providers and industry stakeholders explored the challenges facing the sector and identified priorities for future collaboration.

Discussions focused on the changing skills landscape, the impact of policy reforms, employer-led solutions, and the practical actions the alliance will take to improve apprenticeship opportunities, strengthen the regional talent pipeline and inform qualification and policy development.

By helping establish the Local London ETCA, the College is reinforcing its position at the heart of regional skills development, ensuring its curriculum, employer partnerships and apprenticeship pathways remain closely aligned with the needs of industry, both now and for the future.