The UK faces a significant skills shortage across several industries, and the electrical trade is no exception. According to the Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), the UK needs around 15,000 new electricians over the next five years to meet the rising demand. The shortage is driven by several factors, including an ageing workforce—38% of electricians in the UK are aged over 50—and increasing demand for electricians in renewable energy sectors such as solar power and electric vehicle (EV) charging.
For businesses, this shortage means a fiercely competitive environment for attracting qualified electricians. Posting a generic job advert and hoping for a flood of applications is no longer enough. Companies need to adopt a comprehensive and strategic approach to recruitment, ensuring they not only attract the best electricians but also retain them long-term. This blog post will explore ten proven recruitment strategies tailored specifically for the UK market to help your business attract and retain qualified electricians.
Optimise Job Descriptions for Electricians
An optimised job description is crucial to any qualified electrician’s recruitment strategy. Totaljobs says a well-crafted job description can increase applications by 30%, but poorly written descriptions often need to be better. When writing a job advert for an electrician, it’s essential to be clear and detailed. The advert should specify the qualifications required, such as NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation or the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations. You should also mention if a JIB Gold Card is required, as many employers prefer JIB-registered electricians.
Equally important is the inclusion of details about the types of projects they will be working on—whether it’s residential, commercial, or industrial. Make sure to highlight the expected salary range. In the UK, the average salary for an electrician is £33,000 per year, but this can vary based on location. For example, electricians in London can expect to earn as much as £38,000 or more, while those in more rural areas may earn slightly less. By providing a transparent and realistic job description, you can set clear expectations and attract candidates who better match your role.
Leverage UK-Specific Job Boards
Not all job boards are created equal, especially when recruiting electricians in the UK. While platforms like Indeed and Reed are popular, they cater to a broad audience, so your advert may not reach the right candidates. Instead, a more targeted approach to your qualified electricians recruitment strategy is to use trade-specific job boards. Websites like Electrical Times Jobs, TradeElectrics.co.uk, and Robert Hurst Group Ltd. are specifically designed for electricians and other tradespeople in the UK. These platforms attract candidates actively looking for electrical industry jobs, increasing your chances of reaching skilled electricians.
Additionally, consider utilising local job boards or regional platforms, especially if you want to hire in specific areas. Electricians are often highly localised, preferring to work close to home, and advertising in local electrician forums or community boards can help you connect with talent in your area. By focusing on national and regional platforms, you can cast a wider net while ensuring your job advert is seen by the right people.
Utilise Social Media for Electrician Recruitment
Social media is an essential tool in any recruitment strategy and should be a key component of your qualified electrician recruitment strategy. In the UK, over 50% of job seekers use social media to research potential employers, according to research by CareerBuilder. Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram provide excellent opportunities to reach active and passive candidates. For example, LinkedIn allows you to target electricians based on specific criteria such as location, experience, and skills. You can also use paid ads on LinkedIn to increase visibility among relevant candidates.
Facebook and Instagram are excellent platforms for showcasing your company culture, which is increasingly vital to electricians when choosing where to work. You can join UK-based Facebook groups dedicated to tradespeople, such as UK Electricians Network or Electricians Forum, to post your job openings and engage directly with electricians. Additionally, you can subscribe to the Robert Hurst Group Ltd Facebook Page and see all the latest vacancies. Posting photos of recent projects or team activities on Instagram can help humanise your brand and attract younger electricians looking for a positive working environment.
Offer Competitive Pay and Benefits
Offering a competitive salary is crucial in an industry like electrical work, where demand often outpaces supply. In the UK, electricians are among the highest-paid tradespeople, with an average salary of £33,000 per year, but this varies based on factors such as location and experience. According to the ONS, electricians in London can command salaries in excess of £38,000, while those in other areas may earn slightly less. To attract the best talent, you must ensure your salary offering is competitive for your region.
However, electricians are not just looking for high pay—they also value comprehensive benefits. Offering perks such as a company van, fuel cards, pension contributions, or private healthcare can set your business apart. Flexible working arrangements, such as allowing electricians to have some control over their schedules, can also be a significant draw. According to a survey by Randstad, 40% of UK workers say that flexible working is one of the most important factors they consider when looking for a new role. Incorporating these benefits into your qualified electrician’s recruitment strategy can help you attract top talent in a highly competitive market.
Build Relationships with UK Trade Schools and Apprenticeship Programmes
In the UK, apprenticeships have long been a vital source of skilled workers in the electrical industry. The Joint Industry Board (JIB) and City & Guilds are two leading organisations offering electricians training and certification, with many young electricians entering the workforce through these routes. Forming partnerships with trade schools and apprenticeship programmes can help you build a pipeline of talent that will benefit your business in the long term.
According to the UK government’s National Apprenticeship Service, 78% of employers said apprenticeships helped fill skills gaps in their business. Attending career fairs, offering work experience opportunities, or even sponsoring an apprenticeship programme can significantly enhance your reputation among young electricians. Not only does this allow you to shape and train the electricians of tomorrow, but it also increases loyalty and retention as apprentices are more likely to stay with a company that has invested in their development. Building relationships with these institutions should be a cornerstone of any qualified electrician recruitment strategy.
Invest in Employee Referral Programmes
Referrals are among the most effective ways to recruit electricians, as they often come with a built-in level of trust and vetting. In fact, according to research by Jobvite, referral hires have a 45% retention rate after two years, compared to 20% for candidates sourced through job boards. Electricians have strong professional networks, and many know other electricians who might be looking for new opportunities. By incentivising your existing employees to refer qualified candidates, you can create a talent pipeline without investing heavily in advertising or recruitment agencies.
Implementing an employee referral programme is relatively straightforward. Offer financial rewards, extra holidays, or vouchers to employees who successfully refer a new hire. Communicate the programme clearly and regularly to your workforce, and make the referral process as easy as possible. A well-structured referral programme helps fill vacancies faster and improves retention and morale by encouraging employees to bring in people they trust. This is a cost-effective and highly efficient addition to your qualified electricians recruitment strategy.
Showcase Your Company Culture
In recent years, company culture has become one of the most critical factors for UK job seekers. According to a survey by Glassdoor, 56% of employees say that company culture is more important than salary in terms of job satisfaction. For electricians, this can mean working for a company that prioritises safety, provides opportunities for professional growth, and maintains a supportive and inclusive work environment.
To showcase your company culture, consider using your website, social media channels, and job descriptions to highlight what makes your company unique. Share employee testimonials, case studies, and photos from successful projects to give potential recruits a sense of working for your business. Electricians often look for more than just a paycheck, and a positive company culture can be a powerful differentiator in your qualified electrician’s recruitment strategy. By creating a strong employer brand, you can attract electricians who align with your values and are likelier to stay with your company long-term.
Advertise Locally in Electrician Communities
While online job boards and social media are crucial components of any recruitment strategy, pay attention to the importance of local advertising. Electricians often prefer to work close to home, and targeting local talent can help you find candidates who are less likely to commute long distances. Posting job ads in local electrician communities—such as community centres, trade supply shops, or regional publications—can help you reach electricians who may not be actively searching on national job boards.
Additionally, attending or sponsoring local trade shows and events like the Elex Show or Screwfix LIVE can boost your visibility in the electrician community. Face-to-face interactions at these events allow you to showcase your company, build relationships, and conduct on-the-spot interviews with prospective candidates. Local advertising and community engagement are cost-effective ways to strengthen your qualified electrician’s recruitment strategy and connect with local talent.
Use UK Recruitment Agencies Specialising in Trade Workers
When time is tight, or you’re struggling to find suitable candidates, using a recruitment agency that specialises in trade workers would be a smart move. These agencies can handle the entire recruitment process, from job postings to candidate screening, ensuring you only interview the most suitable candidates.
A recruitment agency specialising in electricians understands the unique demands of the industry. They are familiar with certifications, safety requirements, and technical skills, meaning they can quickly match you with electricians who meet your specific needs. While using an agency comes with a cost, the time saved and access to pre-vetted candidates often make it a worthwhile investment, particularly for urgent or hard-to-fill roles. Partnering with a recruitment agency is valuable to any qualified electrician recruitment strategy.
Highlight Career Growth Opportunities
Electricians are increasingly seeking jobs that offer more than just competitive pay—they also want career development opportunities. In the UK, 65% of workers consider career advancement a critical factor when choosing a new job, according to a survey by CareerBuilder. Highlighting your company’s commitment to professional development can make you more attractive to top electricians looking for long-term opportunities.
Whether through offering formal training, mentorship programmes, or opportunities to specialise in areas such as renewable energy installations or EV charging, showing that you invest in your employees’ growth is essential. Electricians are more likely to choose an employer that offers a clear path for career advancement, whether that means gaining additional qualifications, moving into supervisory roles, or even progressing to management positions. Incorporating these growth opportunities into your qualified electricians recruitment strategy will help you attract skilled electricians and improve retention by creating a motivated and engaged workforce.
Conclusion
The demand for electricians in the UK is higher than ever, and businesses must adapt their recruitment strategies to stay competitive. By implementing these ten proven strategies—from optimising job descriptions to offering career growth opportunities—your company can attract and retain the skilled electricians needed to thrive in this growing industry.
Crafting a robust and effective qualified electrician recruitment strategy requires a multi-faceted approach. Focusing on national and local job boards, leveraging social media, forming partnerships with trade schools, and offering competitive salaries and benefits will help set your business apart. As the demand for electricians grows, now is the time to refine your recruitment strategy and secure the talent you need to succeed.