New alliance to address Greater Manchester electrotechnical skills shortages

Education providers, trade bodies, businesses, local government and the city-region’s Chamber of Commerce are partnering on work to address the electrotechnical skills shortages in Greater Manchester.

The Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance comprises electrical businesses, education providers, the Electrical Contractor’s Association (ECA), Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and GM Colleges (made up of FE Colleges across the city-region, including Trafford & Stockport College Group). The alliance will take action to strengthen local skills development and careers provision within the region for the sector.

Andrew Eldred, Chief Operating Officer at ECA, which has led on the initiative for local employers, said:

“We and our members are delighted to be working in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, education providers of all kinds, and other electrical industry organisations. Together we can deliver for the region, for local people, and for business.”

Chris Fletcher, Policy Director at Greater Manchester Chamber, added:

“ECA did a lot of research and work with the Local Skills Improvement Plan which is helping us identify the key areas that need addressing, especially where there is no provision currently in place.

“An Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance has not been tried before; Greater Manchester is leading the way. We hope the Alliance will become a model of how organisations can work together to tackle skills gaps in this sector.”

The launch of the Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (pictured) was held on 27th November in Elliot House, Manchester. The event, which was chaired by Chris Fletcher and Andrew Eldred, discussed the practicalities of the Alliance. Its establishment follows the Chamber’s work in developing a Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Greater Manchester. The LSIP aims to give employers a greater say in how the city-region economy’s skills needs are met.