How to become a electrician in the UK
By The Busy Busy Index team · Updated 10 November 2026 · Every figure links to its source
Is there demand?
Steady Rewire waits were flat year on year per TradeMatch (median 4 weeks), but ECA says electrical apprenticeship starts fell 5.5% while demand from electrification grows. CITB says the UK needs about 1,690 extra electrical installation trades a year to 2030 (CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026).
What it pays
Starter £26,000, experienced £45,000 a year on average in England (National Careers Service, not stated (live pages)).
Routes in
- Apprenticeship: Installation and Maintenance Electrician or Domestic Electrician (Level 3)
- College course, then a trainee role
- Start as an assistant or mate and train on the job
- Private adult courses for career-changers (below)
Routes: National Careers Service job profile
Key figures for electricians
| Where | Measure | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Extra workers needed per year, 2026-2030 CITB group: Electrical installation trades | 1,690 workers per year | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Extra workers needed per year (% of workforce) CITB group: Electrical installation trades | 1.2% | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Classroom learners who progress into the trade Of 26,000+ learners on government-funded classroom electrical courses (England) | fewer than 1 in 5 share | 2024/25 | ECA Electrical Skills Index, 9 Feb 2026 |
| UK | Change in electrical apprenticeship starts While all apprenticeship starts rose 4.1% | -5.5% | Past year (to 2024/25) | ECA Electrical Skills Index, 9 Feb 2026 |
| UK | Extra electricians needed by 2030 Skills England estimate quoted by ECA | 12,000 workers | to 2030 | ECA Electrical Skills Index, 9 Feb 2026 |
| UK | Median wait to start (weeks) Capacity status per TradeMatch: Easy | 4 weeks | Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 | TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026 |
| UK | Slowest 10% wait (weeks) 90th-percentile wait | 7 weeks | Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 | TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026 |
| UK | Workforce, 2025 CITB group: Electrical installation trades | 140,360 workers | 2025 actual | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Workforce forecast, 2030 CITB group: Electrical installation trades | 143,200 workers | 2030 forecast | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| London | Among ECA's worst-hit regions for electrical shortages Named by ECA among regions most affected by electrical skills shortages | yes | 2026 Index | ECA Electrical Skills Index, 9 Feb 2026 |
| North West | Among ECA's worst-hit regions for electrical shortages Named by ECA among regions most affected by electrical skills shortages | yes | 2026 Index | ECA Electrical Skills Index, 9 Feb 2026 |
| West Midlands | Among ECA's worst-hit regions for electrical shortages Named by ECA among regions most affected by electrical skills shortages | yes | 2026 Index | ECA Electrical Skills Index, 9 Feb 2026 |
What the wider market is doing
Across construction, demand is softening: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026 (S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026) and the CPA expects private housing repair, maintenance and improvement work to fall 8% in 2026 (CPA Autumn forecasts, 26 Oct 2026). Longer term, CITB estimates the UK needs about 1,690 extra workers a year in electrical installation trades on average to 2030 (CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026). Training takes time, so it's worth thinking about where demand will be when you qualify, not just today. See all demand signals.
Courses and published prices
Prices as published on providers' sites, checked 10 November 2026. Listing is not an endorsement, and no provider has paid to appear.