By Sezai Aramaz – Director & Senior Lecturer, Learn Trade Skills
Over the past few years, I’ve met more software engineers than ever before walking into our centre with one question:
“Can I retrain as an electrician part-time while still working?”
It’s a question I hear every week—and it’s no surprise why.
The tech sector has faced major instability since 2024, with waves of layoffs and restructures across the UK and beyond. According to TechCrunch (2025), more than 22,000 tech workers lost their jobs in 2025 alone. Global data compiled by Layoffs.fyi shows that over 150,000 tech jobs were cut in 2024, and by late 2025, major UK-based firms had reduced their workforces by over 6,000 positions (Digital Journal, 2024).
For professionals who built their careers around stability, this uncertainty has been a shock. Many are now looking for something more resilient — work that can’t be automated, offshored, or replaced by AI.
That’s where skilled trades, and electrical installation in particular, come in. I’ve spent forty years in the trade and twenty teaching it, and I can tell you this: becoming an electrician remains one of the most secure, respected, and future-proof career pivots available today.
Electrical work is one of the few professions that technology continues to increase demand for rather than replace.
The UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy and the Construction Skills Network (CSN) Forecast 2024–2028 estimate that the UK will require over 22,000 additional electricians in the next five years to meet electrification targets, from EV charging networks and renewable installations to smart-home upgrades.
Unlike software or digital services, electrical work is regulated, local, and physical. Every installation must comply with BS 7671 (the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations) and be tested, inspected, and certified by qualified people. You can’t outsource that to an algorithm.
Even Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang remarked that “the future belongs to the builders and electricians who will power AI” (Investopedia, 2024). And he’s right. As AI systems expand, so does the infrastructure — data centres, cooling systems, and power distribution — all of which rely on electricians.
For software engineers considering a shift, the most practical path is the part-time electrician route. It’s designed for adults who need to keep earning while retraining toward a full qualification.
At Learn Trade Skills, our part-time structure allows you to study one day and one evening per week over around 30 weeks. You’ll complete the Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas in Electrical Installation (City & Guilds 2365), along with core safety and compliance qualifications like:
After completing these, you progress to your NVQ Level 3 Electrical Installation (2357) portfolio. This is where you gather real-world evidence from on-site electrical work, building proof of competence under supervision.
Once your NVQ is complete, you take the AM2 practical competence assessment, which simulates real installations under exam conditions. Passing this allows you to apply for your ECS Gold Card, the recognised industry standard for fully qualified electricians in the UK.
To become a fully qualified electrician in the UK, the route is transparent and nationally standardised:
| Qualification | What It Covers | Typical Awarding Body |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 & 3 Diplomas (2365) | Electrical science, installation, wiring practice, health & safety | City & Guilds / EAL |
| 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (2382) | Current wiring standards – BS 7671:2018 +A2 (2022) | City & Guilds |
| Part P Building Regulations (2393) | Domestic electrical safety and building control compliance | LCL Awards / City & Guilds |
| Inspection & Testing (2391-52) | Testing, fault diagnosis, certification | City & Guilds |
| NVQ Level 3 (2357 or 2346) | On-site portfolio demonstrating competence | City & Guilds / EAL |
| AM2 Assessment | Final end-point competence test | NET (National Electrotechnical Training) |
You can explore the structure and latest intake dates for this route on the Learn Trade Skills Gold Card Electrical Course page.
For most learners, the part-time classroom phase takes around 30 weeks, while the NVQ portfolio and AM2 process typically take 12 to 24 months depending on site access and experience opportunities.
Most of my career-changing students complete the entire qualification ladder within 18 to 30 months — a realistic and manageable timeline that lets them maintain financial stability while retraining.
To summarise, the route to becoming a fully qualified electrician in the UK is consistent across the industry and verified by the National Careers Service:
This ladder is recognised by employers, awarding bodies, and certification schemes such as NICEIC and NAPIT.
Retraining part-time helps spread both time and cost.
Fees vary slightly by provider but generally include tuition, examination costs, AM2 assessment, and materials. Most adult learners choose pay-as-you-go or modular instalments to manage affordability.
If you’re aged 19 or over, you may also qualify for the Advanced Learner Loan, a government-backed scheme that helps cover tuition fees for approved qualifications. Full details are available at gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.
According to the National Careers Service, qualified electricians in the UK typically earn between £26,000 and £45,000 per year.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a median salary of £42,300 for electricians in its most recent Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE 2023).
Electricians specialising in renewables, inspection and testing, or EV charging infrastructure can earn considerably more, particularly in self-employed or contract roles.
Compared with the volatility of software engineering roles, where AI can replace or consolidate teams overnight, trade work offers a tangible skill with stable demand.
I’ve trained hundreds of learners from software backgrounds, and I’ve noticed that many of their existing strengths directly apply to the electrical trade.
You already think systematically, follow standards, and approach problems logically — all crucial for understanding the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).
Your attention to precision and compliance makes you naturally suited for Inspection & Testing (2391-52), where documentation and analytical accuracy matter most.
And in today’s world of smart homes, automation systems, and renewable integration, your familiarity with data, code, and connected systems gives you an advantage in emerging areas like EV charger installation, solar PV, and battery storage.
While the tech sector contracts, the skilled trades sector is growing.
The CITB Construction Skills Network Forecast 2024–2028 projects a continuing shortfall of qualified electricians as the UK accelerates electrification and infrastructure modernisation.
Meanwhile, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has confirmed that the transition to low-carbon technologies will require tens of thousands of additional skilled electrical professionals in the next decade.
In short, the trades aren’t shrinking—they’re expanding.
Retraining part-time isn’t easy. You’ll need to manage time carefully, secure supervised site work for your NVQ, and stay motivated over a long period. It’s a challenge—but it’s also a structured path with visible progress and tangible rewards.
I’ve seen software engineers who once debugged code now wiring data centres, installing EV chargers, or managing energy systems. The satisfaction is real and lasting.
Changing careers is never a small decision. But moving from software engineering to electrical installation is one of the most practical and rewarding pivots you can make today.
The part-time route offers balance — you can retrain while still earning, progress at your own pace, and join an industry that’s stable, respected, and growing.
If you’d like to explore what that pathway looks like, you can read more about our part-time Gold Card training structure and upcoming intakes on the Learn Trade Skills Become an Electrician page.
Because while lines of code may change with every product cycle, the world will always need skilled electricians to keep it powered.
Sezai Aramaz is the esteemed founder of Learn Trade Skills, boasting over 40 years of experience in the electrical industry in the UK. With two decades dedicated to educating future electricians, he served as an Electrical Installation Lecturer and Assessor. Aramaz's expertise and commitment have contributed significantly to the growth and proficiency of aspiring tradespeople in the field.
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William Goss
Electrician course
11/11/2024
