The UK Government is widening the eligibility criteria for those wanting to access free training under the ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’.
There is currently a shortage of electrical engineers in the UK, something both the UK Government and the industry is trying to address. Whether it’s through apprenticeships or the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, it’s never been easier to get into electrical engineering.
Between November 2021 and January 2022, 3.9% of those over aged 16 were regarded as unemployed by the Office for National Statistics. While that is below the rate reported immediately before the pandemic, many of those people classified as employed may be in low paying, low-skilled jobs.
That’s why the UK launched the Lifetime Skills Guarantee to upskill the country. The premise was that any adult in England who is unemployed or earning under £18,525 annually could receive free training from hundreds of colleges and training providers across the country to achieve a Level 3 diploma.
There was one stipulation to this benefit, however. The UK Government only allowed those without existing Level 3 qualifications to apply for the free training. From April 2022, that stipulation no longer applies – ideal for those wishing to change careers.
For example, the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment), is included in the list of funded qualifications, along with the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Electrical Installation.
The technical diploma is a key stepping stone on the TESP industry approved training routes; those who complete this qualification must then gain work-based experience and complete the NVQ and the AM2 assessment to be recognised as a qualified electrician.
Ruth Devine, chair of TESP, noted, “Since the launch of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, hundreds of adults have taken advantage of the funding for industry recognised electrical training. With the more widespread eligibility launched this month, we hope even more will now benefit from upskilling.”