"EnergyAce MD Attends ECA’s “Electrifying Our Future – Untapped Potential”"

EnergyAce MD Attends ECA’s “Electrifying Our Future – Untapped Potential” Reception in Liverpool

On Monday 28 September, Gary Vizard, Managing Director of EnergyAce and Northwest Regional Chair of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), attended Electrifying Our Future – Untapped Potential, an evening reception held at The Bluecoat in Liverpool during the Labour Party Conference.

Hosted by the ECA in partnership with JTL Training and the Electrotechnical Joint Industry Board (JIB), it was the first dedicated electrical sector fringe event of its kind at a Labour Party Conference.

The evening brought together political and industry representatives to celebrate the contribution of the electrotechnical workforce and discuss how Government and industry can work together to meet future skills demand. It also formed part of the ECA’s 125th anniversary celebrations.

Guests heard speeches from Glenn Grant, President of the ECA; Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JTL Training; and Andy Reakes, Acting CEO of the JIB. They also heard from Veronica Jennings, Labour Manager at Dalkia, who shared her journey from apprentice to her current role and spoke about the barriers that still need to be removed to build a more diverse workforce.

A central theme of the evening was turning interest in electrical careers into qualified electricians.

The ECA’s 2026 Electrical Skills Index found that fewer than one in five learners on government-funded, classroom-based electrical courses progressed into an apprenticeship or skilled employment in 2025/26. Industry leaders called on Government to work with employers, training providers and sector bodies to remove barriers to apprenticeship growth, particularly for the SMEs that train much of the sector’s workforce.

Glenn Grant, ECA President, said: “Electrification is a huge opportunity for the UK, but we will not deliver clean power, warmer homes, EV infrastructure or a modernised grid without the skilled electrical workforce to make it happen.”

Throughout the evening, the Electrifying Our Future media commissioned by the ECA was played which featured EnergyAce while guests met apprentices and representatives from organisations including BEAMA, Electrical Safety First, the North West Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance, the Electrical Distributors’ Association and Certsure, hearing first-hand about the workforce and skills challenges facing the industry and the work underway to support the next generation.

As Northwest Regional Chair, Gary plays an active role in representing the region within the ECA. With the event taking place on home ground in Liverpool, it was a valuable opportunity to engage with decision-makers on the vital role the electrotechnical sector will play in the UK’s energy future.

EnergyAce is proud to support the ECA in its 125th year and its work championing the industry and the next generation of electrical professionals.