Big Surge in Students on Training Courses to be Electricians

In the last year, the electrical industry has been the most popular career choice for nearly 100,000 students.

This boost for the industry and the consumer has been welcomed by trade organisation NAPIT, the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers, which, since its formation in 1992, has made solid progress in enhancing the success and excellence of its membership through the promotion of professionalism, best business practices and leadership for the electrical and allied industries.

The latest figures show that 97,411 people signed up for courses in the electrical trade, more than 34,000 ahead of 62,987 who chose social care, while hairdressing came in third with 47,506 City & Guilds students. Fourth and fifth places, respectively, went to 43,474 enrolling for construction courses while 43,335 students signed up for the catering industry.

The attraction of a career as an electrician were underscored by Lewis (21), in the second year of his training as an electrician, who said: “I’m better with my hands so I thought screwdrivers, drills . . . that’s my kind of environment, rather than heads in books and essays. It’s getting harder and harder to get into universities so I think what I chose to do was the right decision.“

Professional assistance is readily available from NAPIT, who offer Student Membership to provide a helping hand to students in the form of literature, guidance packs and discounts on products and equipment. NAPIT then offer further advanced training once a student has joined the organisation after qualifying from college or university.

NAPIT Chief Executive John Andrews comments: “These figures really are encouraging, what many people fail to realise with the constant pressures on young people to go to university is that the world we live in is designed, built and maintained by electrical engineers. Without electrical engineering and the many benefits it brings we would still be living in the middles ages or having a lifestyle reflected by third world countries.” He continues; “These youngsters choosing electrical apprenticeships today can expect an exciting and rewarding career in the years ahead.”

The rise in the number of people taking vocational courses was also highlighted by Chris Jones, Director General and Chief Executive of City & Guilds, who said: “Growing numbers of people are recognising the value of work-related learning and equipping themselves with the right skills and training they need to succeed and lead in today’s fast-paced economy.“