Earlier this year in January, The House of Commons had their initial debate over the skills and labour shortages that were apparent within the UK economy.

Previous research conducted by the ONS in late 2022 revealed that 13.3% of businesses currently have a shortage of workers. One of the industries that has been effected most by the skills shortage is the construction industry, with 20.7% of all construction businesses being impacted by the current skills shortages.

More...

I began training at Access 18 months ago, studying the Essential Electrics course. I found the online training useful because I was living abroad at the time. I would watch the videos back and often at double speed to help improve my own efficiency! The webinars were the reason why I chose Access Training over other providers. Some of the content was of a slower pace but watching them at double speed allowed me to skip the chatter and non crucial information. I found the revision courses really useful online and appreciated that they were split up into topic areas.

More...

What does it take to be an electrician?

• Fine motor skills
• Mathematics knowledge
• Problem-solving skills
• Patience
• Empathy
• Strong time management
• Attention to detail

More...

 To be a good tradesman, you must possess the following skills/qualities:

1. Highly punctual and reliable

2. Strong communication skills

3. Comfortable working in a team

4. Resilient

5. Up to date with industry knowledge and regulations

 More...

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place in the UK from Monday 15th May - Sunday 21st May. To raise awareness about mental health issues in the trades, Ironmongery Direct submit a yearly report in collaboration with the mental health charity, Mind, to reveal important and shocking statistics about mental health in the trade industry. 

In this blog, we'll break down the key findings of their insightful report in an attempt to make mental health support more accessible to our students in the trade industry.

More...

There's nothing quite like coming home and feeling proud of the work you've done for the day. For most tradesmen, this is a daily occurrence! According to multiple studies conducted over the years, workers in the skilled trades tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction in comparison to others. 

In this blog, we'll take a look at why job satisfaction is so high for workers in the skilled trades. From builders and plumbers to electricians and gas engineers, there are many reasons for all tradesmen to be proud of what they do. 

More...

If you're looking for jobs in renewable energy, we've compiled a list of tips and tricks to land you a perfect role. You will be directly contributing to the production of environmentally-friendly energy sources in no time.

More...

If you're looking to start your career in the skilled trades industry, you've probably come across the term 'NVQ Qualification'. An NVQ qualification is a vocational qualification, providing you with all the practical and physical skills that your future employer will be looking for. Whether you choose to become a gas engineer, an electrician, a plumber, and much more!

An NVQ is different to any other qualification as it is entirely work based (also known as competence-based), as you will be assessed on your ability to perform certain tasks in your chosen field. So, is a NVQ qualification worth it? Let's find out...

More...

If you are a qualified electrician and you'd like to build up your skills portfolio, our 2-day EV charger installation course is a brilliant way to take your career as an electrician a step further. With 1.1 million electric cars now in use on UK roads, you will receive many benefits for providing customers with this unique and in-demand skill.

More...