Can You Still Train While Furloughed? 

Periods of furlough can feel unsettling. You’re out of your regular work routine, wages may be lower than usual, and the uncertainty makes it easy to lose momentum. But there is another side to furlough: it can be a valuable window of opportunity. Many people in the UK used their furlough time to retrain, upskill, or begin e ntirely new careers. For electricians and those looking to join the trade, this can be a turning point. 

This article explores whether you can legally train while furloughed in the UK, what types of training are permitted, and how Elec Training supports learners during career transitions. 

Can You Legally Train While Furloughed? 

The simple answer is yes. The government actively encouraged furloughed workers to pursue training opportunities during the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The goal was to boost employability and ensure that workers returned to the labour market with stronger skill sets. 

There are, however, some important restrictions: 

• No direct benefit to your employer: Training cannot be directly linked to generating revenue or delivering services for your current company. 

• Minimum wage requirement: If training takes place during recorded furlough hours, employers must ensure that pay does not fall below the National Minimum Wage for those hours. 

• Self-directed learning only: Training should be focused on personal development, industry qualifications, or skills that are not tied directly to your employer’s business activities. 

This means you are free to pursue structured courses such as inspection & testing, EV charging, or domestic installer training — as long as they’re self-funded or part of a recognised independent programme. 

Training Options During Furlough 

So, what kinds of training are suitable while furloughed? 

1 – Virtual and Online Training

Digital learning has grown rapidly in the electrical sector. Elec Training now offers b lended and online study options that allow you to learn at home and prepare for assessments later. This flexibility was key during furloughs, but it remains relevant today for career changers balancing other commitments. 

2 – Professional Qualifications

Courses that lead to recognised qualifications are an excellent use of time. For example, many learners chose to explore whether an apprenticeship or a fast track course was the right route for them. Both pathways remain valid, but during furlough, shorter “fast track” training options allowed learners to stay active and prepare for when work restarted. 

3 – Industry-Specific Upskilling

Some used the time to specialise. Courses in domestic installation, inspection & testing, or EV charging proved particularly popular. Today, similar opportunities exist to take a domestic or EV course, helping electricians stay aligned with green energy targets and future-proof their skill set. 

4 – Webinars and Workshops

Industry bodies ran webinars on the 18th Edition, Part P, and building regulations. These remain valuable for CPD and help electricians stay connected to changes in legislation. 

Restrictions and Practical Points 

While the principle is clear, there are some finer details worth remembering: 

• Confidentiality: Don’t use furlough training time to handle your employer’s confidential materials or projects. 

• Data protection: Only use secure platforms when completing online modules or assessments. 

• Separation from employer: Keep training independent from your current role. If you’re unsure, seek advice from your training provider rather than your company. 

How Elec Training Supported Learners 

During furlough periods, Elec Training adapted by expanding digital learning, creating resources for self-paced study, and opening up flexible start dates. This approach continues today, helping career changers, returners, and working electricians take training at the right pace for their circumstances. 

Key initiatives included: 

• Flexible eLearning: Allowing students to complete theory units online before attending centres for practical work. 

• Dedicated advisers: Offering guidance on which qualifications were best suited for furloughed workers — whether starting with Step 1 or jumping into specialist courses. 

• VCT-style delivery: Virtual classroom training options meant learners could keep progressing without delay. 

For those in the Midlands, accessible options such as Electrician Courses Telford remain popular, giving regional learners a practical route to qualification. 

Maximising Furlough (and Beyond) 

Even outside the furlough scheme, many of the same principles apply to anyone between jobs, r etraining, or looking for a career change. Here are some ways to use that time productively: 

• Network with peers: Join forums or online groups to connect with other electricians, share advice, and discover opportunities. 

• Volunteer: Where safe and permitted, volunteering in community projects provides practical experience and confidence. 

• Personal projects: Installing smart tech, small rewiring jobs, or practising safe test procedures at home can keep your skills fresh. 

• Stay updated on regulations: Use resources to revise the 18th Edition and anticipate the upcoming 19th Edition. 

• Prepare for assessments: If aiming for NVQ or AM2, furlough-style downtime can be used for portfolio building and revision. 

For practical guidance on wages, career planning, and long-term prospects, review the latest industry updates, including the JIB wage agreement for 2026–28. 

The Financial Angle 

Of course, furlough itself has ended, but the lessons remain. Any period where income is limited can feel daunting. That’s why choosing training with strong earning potential is essential. 

Electricians consistently rank among the highest-earning trades in the UK. Our analysis of salaries confirms this, and courses that align with emerging demand (such as EV charging, solar, and domestic installation) often provide the fastest return on investment. 

Exploring resources like career-focused guides or pay reviews helps learners make informed choices before committing financially. 

Moving Forward 

The furlough period highlighted how valuable training can be during downtime. For some, it was the spark that led to a full career change into the electrical industry. For others, it was the chance to add new qualifications and strengthen their CV. 

At Elec Training, our role is to ensure you have access to the right courses, advisers, and resources, whether you’re retraining after furlough, starting fresh, or simply looking to upskill. 

From Electrician Courses Telford to national training centres, and from short domestic courses to NVQ and AM2 preparation, our pathways are designed to fit around your lifestyle and career ambitions. 

Furloughs may have passed, but the principle remains: investing in yourself during periods of uncertainty is always worthwhile. The UK still faces an electrician shortage, demand for green technologies continues to grow, and wage agreements show the trade is highly valued. 

If you are ready to make progress, explore Elec Training’s full range of programmes. From domestic and EV courses to structured apprenticeships, fast track options, and regional training like Electrician Courses Telford, there is a path to suit every learner. 

Visit Elec Training today to start planning your future in the trade. 

FAQs on Furlough and Electrical Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK 

1 – Was training allowed during the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)?

Yes, training was allowed during the CJRS from April 2021 onwards, with furloughed employees able to undertake training that did not involve providing services to their employer. Earlier in the scheme (March 2020–April 2021), training was restricted to ensure furlough was for non-working periods, but the government encouraged upskilling to support economic recovery. 

2 – What restrictions applied to furloughed workers taking training?

Furloughed workers could not perform work or provide services for their employer during training, and any training had to be voluntary or unrelated to direct employment duties. From April 2021, training was permitted if it benefited the employee’s development, but employers could not claim CJRS for training time exceeding NMW requirements. 

3 – Did employers need to pay at least the National Minimum Wage for training hours?

Yes, employers were required to pay at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for any training hours during furlough, topping up CJRS payments if necessary. This ensured furloughed workers received fair compensation for time spent training, with the government covering 80% of wages up to £2,500/month, but employers bridging gaps to NMW. 

4 – Could furloughed workers complete electrical qualifications such as inspection & testing or EV charging courses?

Yes, furloughed workers could complete electrical qualifications like inspection & testing (C&G 2391) or EV charging (C&G 2921-34) during furlough, as long as the training did not involve working for their employer. Many electricians used this time for online or short courses, with providers like Trade Skills 4U offering flexible options to upskill. 

5 – What types of training were most popular among electricians during furlough?

During furlough, popular training included the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (C&G 2382), inspection & testing (C&G 2391), and short CPD courses like PAT testing (C&G 2377), as they were accessible online and aligned with post-pandemic recovery needs. Electricians also pursued Level 2/3 diplomas and renewables courses to future-proof careers. 

6 – Were online and virtual classroom courses permitted while on furlough?

Yes, online and virtual classroom courses were permitted during furlough, provided they did not constitute work for the employer. The government encouraged digital learning to support upskilling, with many providers shifting to eLearning platforms during the pandemic. 

7 – Could furloughed workers train if the course directly benefited their current employer?

Furloughed workers could train if the course benefited their employer, but only from April 2021, and training time had to be paid at least NMW without claiming CJRS for those hours. Earlier restrictions prohibited employer-specific training to maintain furlough integrity. 

8 – How did Elec Training support learners during the furlough period?

Elec Training supported learners during furlough by offering flexible online courses (e.g., 18th Edition eLearning) and virtual placements for NVQ portfolios, ensuring compliance with CJRS rules. They provided funding guidance for Skills Bootcamps and encouraged upskilling in renewables, helping furloughed electricians maintain progress toward qualifications like C&G 2391. 

9 – What lessons from furlough training still apply to career changers and returners today?

Lessons include the value of flexible online learning for balancing work/life, the importance of upskilling in high-demand areas like EV charging during transitions, and leveraging government funding (e.g., Lifetime Skills Guarantee) to reduce costs. Career changers today can use blended formats to progress quickly, as furlough showed the effectiveness of self-paced training. 

10 – Why was furlough seen as an opportunity for electricians to retrain or upskill?

Furlough was seen as an opportunity because it provided paid time (80% wages) for training without job loss, allowing electricians to gain quals like 18th Edition or EV charging, preparing for post-pandemic recovery and net-zero demand. Many used it to future-proof careers amid 100,000+ shortage.