NICEIC, a certification body for the UK’s electrical contracting industry, has announced the launch of Connected Futures, a dedicated apprenticeship job board designed to connect certified businesses with aspiring apprentices across the UK.
With a pressing need across the sector to close the skills gap, expanding high‑quality apprenticeships and building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the challenges of electrification and low‑carbon technologies has become a priority for electrical businesses of all sizes.
Newly published research from the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) estimates the industry will need an additional 12,000 apprentices by 2030. However, the electrical skills gap continues to widen nationwide, with a 5.5% drop in electrical apprenticeship starts compared to last year.
Addressing the skills gap
Given the urgent need to attract more apprentices into the sector, NICEIC says it has launched Connected Futures to connect certified businesses with motivated, aspiring apprentices.
Connected Futures is exclusively available to NICEIC-certified businesses and individuals over the age of 18 seeking apprenticeship opportunities.
The job board also includes a screening process to ensure only verified NICEIC businesses can register.
Alex Robinson, Head of Training at NICIEC, comments, “We’re committed to supporting the next generation of electricians. Connected Futures connects ambitious prospective apprentices with certified businesses, helping them to take their first step towards a meaningful career.
“For the sector more widely, one of the most significant challenges we face is closing the skills gap to ensure we have the skills and capacity we need to build out vital national infrastructure, from housing to transport, renewable energy, and the growing demands of electrification.”
Posting your job is free, with the Connected Futures job board also enabling you to manage applications via a dashboard. Click here to visit the page where you can register.
Candidates can upload their CVs, browse opportunities, and sign up for job alerts to stay informed about new postings.
Connecting students
Ellis Stevenson, Electrician at NICIEC-certified Campbell and McHardy and 2025 SkillELECTRIC winner, says, “I would definitely recommend an electrical apprenticeship. You’re earning while learning, you get hands on experience, and you finish with a qualification that can take you down so many routes. There are hard days but if you stick with it, it’s 100% worth it.”
In addition, NICEIC’s student membership is available free of charge to those currently enrolled on an electrotechnical qualification, so to complement their technical competency training.
It’s available both to full-time and part-time students, as well as those studying through an apprenticeship within the electrotechnical industry.
For details on how to sign up, click here to visit the site.
Connected Futures at a glance:
• Free job posting for NICEIC-certified businesses
• Free access for candidates aged over 18
• 45-day job posting duration
• Job alerts for candidates
For more from NICEIC, click here.