1 in 2 Electrician Companies Cannot Find Enough Workers
The UK’s electrical industry is under pressure. Demand for skilled electricians keeps rising, yet many firms say they simply cannot find enough workers to cover the jobs available. With the skills gap widening year on year, businesses are being forced to turn away projects they could otherwise deliver.
The current shortage of tradespeople
Research by Rated People found that 49% of electrician companies faced workforce shortages in 2022. By 2023, around 65% of these firms described t hemselves as “very busy,” with a growing number having to reject work due to lack of capacity.
Another industry survey from the ECA, BESA, SELECT and SNIPEF revealed that 42% of engineering services companies now cite labour shortages as their number-one concern. This is up from 32% in the previous quarter, showing that the problem is only getting worse.
What’s causing the shortage?
There’s no shortage of available jobs. In fact, 54% of trade businesses reported vacancies — but with not enough applicants to fill them. A lack of skilled workers (48%) and changes to UK labour laws post-Brexit have made the issue harder still.
Add in wider economic uncertainty and the long-standing cultural push towards university over vocational training, and you can see why fewer young people are entering the trades.
Why consider retraining as a tradesperson?
Despite the shortages, the opportunities in the trades are huge. Here’s why many people are retraining:
Strong earning potential
Sole traders in trades average £43,561 per year — almost £16,000 more than the UK national average. One in four earns over £50,000, and 10% exceed £75,000. Unlike university graduates, tradespeople don’t usually start their career thousands in debt.
Job satisfaction
Surveys show:
- 78% value being their own boss
- 62% enjoy having control over their work
- 54% cite flexibility as a major plus
Nearly 90% of tradespeople say they love what they do, and many believe more young people should consider following the same path.
Job security
With demand rising, work is steady and reliable. From 2020 to 2022, the need for electricians grew sharply and shows no s ign of slowing down. For those looking for long-term security, this career path is attractive.
Why retrain specifically as an electrician?
On average, UK electricians earn £35,150 a year, with many earning well above this depending on experience, specialism and location. The variety of pathways is also a draw — from domestic installation and inspection to renewable energy, EV charging, and industrial maintenance.
At Elec Training, we offer flexible and fully accredited qualifications that help you build a career in this in-demand trade. If you’re thinking about retraining, now is an ideal time.
Explore:
- Safety modules such as Dealing with Hazards Lesson 10 and Lesson 11
At Elec Training, we’re committed to helping learners of all ages take advantage of the opportunities this industry provides.
Why are so many electrician companies struggling to find skilled workers?
Electrician companies in the UK are struggling due to a combination of factors including an aging workforce (many retiring without replacements), post-Brexit and pandemic-induced reductions in EU migrant labor, and surging demand from net-zero initiatives like EV chargers, heat pumps, and solar PV installations. The sector faces a projected shortfall of 15,000 qualified electricians by 2030 to meet housing targets (300,000 new homes annually) and infrastructure needs, exacerbated by a 26% decline in the workforce since 2018. High operational costs, bureaucracy, and competition for talent further strain companies, leading to project delays and growth limitations. Elec Training addresses this by offering flexible retraining programs to boost the supply of skilled workers.
How many UK electrical businesses report workforce shortages?
In 2025, surveys indicate that 37% of UK electrical businesses report significant workforce shortages, with over a third citing a lack of qualified electricians as a major barrier to growth. Broader industry data shows 71% of engineering construction employers facing hiring challenges, and 56.9% of trade businesses overall experiencing skills gaps, reflecting a persistent crisis in the sector. This aligns with projections of a 32% workforce decline by 2038 without intervention. Elec Training’s apprenticeship partnerships help alleviate these shortages by training new entrants efficiently.
What role has Brexit played in the electrician labour shortage?
Brexit has exacerbated the electrician shortage by restricting EU worker inflows, leading to a 26% drop in the skilled workforce since 2018 and contributing to a projected 32% decline by 2038 without action. It caused delays in projects and increased labor costs, with the skills gap w idening due to reduced migration—pre-Brexit, 10-15% of electricians were EU nationals. Combined with Covid-19, this has deepened the crisis, hindering housing and net-zero goals. Elec Training responds by focusing on domestic talent development through accelerated courses.
Why aren’t more young people entering electrical training and apprenticeships?
Young people are deterred from electrical apprenticeships by stereotypes of manual work as “low-status,” biased career guidance favoring university paths, mental health concerns from economic pressures, and declining under-19 enrollments due to limited opportunities and perceptions of better alternatives in tech or office jobs. In 2025, apprenticeship starts fell 10% amid funding biases toward older learners, with schools not promoting trades effectively. Elec Training counters this with outreach programs to highlight high earnings and job security.
What earning potential do electricians typically have in the UK?
In 2025, UK electricians typically earn £33,500-£39,249 annually, with hourly rates at £22.21—new starters £20,000-£25,000, qualified £32,000-£40,000, and master/approved electricians £40,000-£60,000, varying by region (e.g., £40,500 in England). Self-employed can exceed £50,000 with specialisms. Elec Training’s graduates often start at £25,000, progressing rapidly.
How does job satisfaction in the trades compare to other careers?
Trades like electrical offer high satisfaction (90% content, physically demanding roles twice as rewarding as office jobs), ranking among top fulfilling careers in 2025 due to tangible results, variety, and autonomy—versus lower satisfaction in static roles like admin (60-70%). Tradespeople report 85-90% happiness, higher than graduates in non-trade fields amid economic pressures. Elec Training’s alumni surveys show 95% satisfaction, citing skill pride.
What makes retraining as a tradesperson, particularly an electrician, attractive?
Retraining as an electrician is attractive for job security (100k needed by 2032), high earnings (£33k-£60k), earn-while-learn apprenticeships, flexibility (self-employment), and demand from net-zero (EV/renewables)—plus short training (months vs. years for degrees). Brexit shortages make it viable for mid-career switches. Elec Training’s fast-track courses enable quick entry.
What specialisms can electricians move into beyond domestic installation?
Beyond domestic, electricians can specialize in commercial (offices, retail), industrial (factories, automation), inspection/testing (EICRs), renewables (solar/EV), maintenance, or self-employment as contractors—roles like electrical engineer or inspector offer £40k+. Elec Training offers advanced CPD for these, like EV charging or commercial wiring.
Is demand for electricians expected to grow in the coming years?
Yes, demand is projected to grow significantly, needing 15k more by 2030 and 100k by 2032 for net-zero, housing (300k/year), and infrastructure—peak in 2030 with 135k workforce. Elec Training prepares for this with accelerated programs.
How can training providers like Elec Training help new entrants start a career in electrics?
Elec Training helps through flexible/part-time courses (£3k-£7k), apprenticeships with earn-while-learn, guaranteed placements, ECS Gold Card prep, and hands-on training for qualifications like City & Guilds—enabling quick entry without 3-4 year commitments. With industry partnerships, it supports diverse entrants, including women, for net-zero roles.
FAQs About Electrician Workforce Shortages in the UK
Why are so many electrician companies struggling to find skilled workers?
Electrician companies are struggling due to a 26% decline in the workforce since 2018, an aging population with many nearing retirement, insufficient new apprentices (only 12,000 needed annually unmet), and surging demand from net-zero projects like renewables and EV infrastructure, requiring 15,000 more by 2030.
How many UK electrical businesses report workforce shortages?
Over a third (37%) of UK electrical businesses report significant workforce shortages holding back growth, with some surveys indicating up to 49% experiencing issues in recent years.
What role has Brexit played in the electrician labour shortage?
Brexit has exacerbated the shortage by reducing the influx of skilled EU workers (previously 7% of construction labor), leading to higher labor costs, project delays, and a 26% workforce drop since 2018, with 436,296 jobs lost across related sectors.
Why aren’t more young people entering electrical training and apprenticeships?
Young people are deterred by perceptions of the trade as unappealing or male-dominated, schools favoring academic paths over vocational training, lack of awareness about high earnings and opportunities, and stereotypes, resulting in insufficient new entrants to replace retiring workers.
What earning potential do electricians typically have in the UK?
Electricians earn an average of £35,000-£45,000 annually in 2025, with newly qualified starting at £32,000, experienced reaching £52,000+, and self-employed up to £60,000; hourly rates average £22.21, often exceeding the UK median.
How does job satisfaction in the trades compare to other careers?
Job satisfaction in trades like electrical work is high, with 91% of skilled tradespeople reporting satisfaction (up from 83% in 2021), driven by meaningful work; electricians score 63%, outperforming many office roles where satisfaction is lower due to monotony.
What makes retraining as a tradesperson, particularly an electrician, attractive?
Retraining is attractive due to high demand (100,000 new roles by 2032), excellent earnings (£38,500+), career flexibility (self-employment, international work), job security amid net-zero transitions, and independence, appealing to those seeking a change at any age.
What specialisms can electricians move into beyond domestic installation?
Beyond domestic, electricians can specialize in commercial (offices, shops), industrial (factories, machinery), renewables (solar PV, wind), EV charging, smart homes, electrical engineering, or maintenance/control systems, often requiring additional certifications like MCS.
Is demand for electricians expected to grow in the coming years?
Yes, demand is projected to grow significantly, with 100,000 more needed by 2032 driven by net-zero goals, housing targets (300,000 new homes annually), renewables expansion, and infrastructure, potentially adding 15,000 roles by 2030.
How can training providers like Elec Training help new entrants start a career in electrics?
Elec Training helps new entrants through flexible courses addressing the impending skills shortage, offering practical training, apprenticeships, and upskilling in high-demand areas like renewables, enabling quick entry into a field needing 15,000 more workers by 2030.
