More than three in five (62%) UK electricians say they are now more likely to move abroad to work than they were before the pandemic.
The study by ElectricalDirect found that almost a third (31%) are actively looking for opportunities overseas and a similar number (35%) know a colleague who has already made the move.
The most common reason for considering a different country is the chance to try something new (29%), with the last few years encouraging electricians to broaden their horizons.
Interestingly, although each generation of electricians is similarly likely to consider moving abroad, the age groups all have different motivations.
For millennials (25-34s), the prospect of more work is their top incentive, whereas better weather (35-44s), new opportunities (45-54s) and higher wages (over 55s) lead the way for older workers.
Gender is another factor, with male electricians significantly more likely to say that coronavirus has increased their desire to leave the UK (67% vs 41%).
For those looking to move, Australia appears to be the most coveted destination. Every year, Brits search for electrical jobs abroad more than 18,000 times, and the land down under tops the wishlist, with an average of 3,373 Google searches.
This is perhaps unsurprising, considering that the average electrician wage in Australia is £47,691, which is more than £15,000 greater than the amount in the UK (£32,540). This is an increase of 47%.
Canada takes second place, with 1,883 searches, ahead of Ireland in third (1,550 searches).
Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, says: “The pandemic has affected our lives in many ways, and it appears that the allure of working abroad is now stronger than ever for lots of electricians.
“There are numerous benefits to a life overseas, but it’s important to do your research before committing to such a big decision. Our study found that despite so many electricians wanting to work abroad, more than two-thirds don’t know exactly what they’d need to do in order to make it happen, so make sure you properly investigate what any move would involve.”
