Protecting skills 

Unite is calling for the country’s surge in green energy not to come at the cost of weaker standards and reduced safety.

The UK’s shift to clean energy will create thousands of skilled and secure union jobs, but Unite is concerned that some in the industry are pushing for semi-skilled fitters, instead of fully qualified electricians, to install EV chargers, solar panels, battery storage and other electrical work vital to achieve the countries net zero targets. 

Any de-skilling of work in the growing renewables sector would risk jobs, skills and public safety, and the rapid expansion of green energy must not be allowed to become a race to the bottom.

Unite have become aware that some are seeking to overturn and circumnavigate the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS), including its related qualifications guidance and Minimum Technical Competence (MTC) criteria, enabling the expansion of technology like EV chargers, solar PV, wind and battery storage to be carried out by semi-skilled fitters rather than fully competent electricians.

That’s why Unite is calling on the government to protect electrical standards, invest in apprenticeships, and ensure the green transition is built on competent, well-trained workers.

Unite says that the country needs:
⚡ Properly trained, competent electricians carrying out this work
⚡ Investment in apprenticeships and upskilling
⚡ Protection for electrical skills, jobs and safety standards
⚡ A clean energy transition built on union labour and quality employment

Unite has been fighting for the rights of highly skilled apprentices and this year launched an Apprenticeship Charter. 

Please add your name to Unite’s petition and help protect the future with green jobs that are skilled, safe and unionised.

Sign Unites “stand up for electrical skills” petition here.

By Keith Hatch