UCB event spotlights electrical installation roles | News

March 2026

THREE powerful reasons. TWO valuable events. ONE great day.

By Claire Huggins

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Read time: approx 8 mins

When two events came together on one day in University College Birmingham’s Centre for Sustainable Construction, there were three powerful reasons to attend:

Insights met innovation: as students, staff and stakeholders met at the ELEX Day event, there were tech talks, prizes, Q&A sessions and special guests sharing their experiences and advice.

Securing sustainability: the launch of the Green Skills Advisory Panel (GSAP) presented a valuable opportunity for ideas exchange and collaboration on moving to a greener economy and brought together stakeholders from the launch and the ELEX Day event.

Talent on tap: visiting employers were put through their paces by their future workforce as the students quizzed them on the career pathways, sector challenges, latest developments and skills needed by the sector for the future.

Charlene Wall addresses staff, students and employers at the GSAP launch

Getting things underway bright and early, the launch of the Green Skills Advisory Panel-West Midlands took place over an informal employer breakfast event.

Focusing on the construction and housing sectors, the Green Skills Advisory Panel “exists to improve and develop sustainable training and education opportunities for the housing and construction industry with the aim to close the skills gap throughout the UK”.

Regional employers, educators and partners were invited to attend this informal free event, to explore the challenges being faced as the transition to a greener economy becomes more pressing.

The launch of the GSAP West Midlands welcomed guest speaker Charlene Wall, Founder and Head of Operations for The Wood Manor Group, who are also one of our inaugural Employers’ Scholarship partners.

Hosting the event, Professor Rosa Wells, UCB’s FE Principal and Dean for STEM, was keen to stress the value of the launch:

“Welcoming Charlene as guest speaker today, in the week The Wood Manor Group are also announced as one of our first Employer’s Scholarship partners, is a powerful testament to the level of collaboration between industry and education needed to make the successful transition to a greener economy,” she explained.

“I am a passionate exponent of collaboration as being key to progress and a catalyst for innovation across different sectors.

“The GSAP is one way of ensuring people work together with the development of green skills and a sustainable future as the ultimate goal.”

Event flyer

Straight after the GSAP launch, the ELEX Day event was getting into full swing downstairs.

Organised by senior lecturer of electrical installation, Richard Fort, the ELEX Day event was designed to be a bumper get-together of students, employers and staff invested in electrical installation and associated roles.

“Today’s event is designed to raise awareness for our students of what’s out there for them,” said Richard.

“There are leading brands, the latest products and people here that are new to me too, and these students will be using them for their careers in the next few years. It’s an opportunity to engage with employers, talk to influencers, meet people they follow on TikTok and Instagram, and get to experience something they’ve never tried before.

“As contractors and lecturers, we get to go to trade shows and are comfortable in that environment, but many of the students are not. This is their stepping stone to finding out what it’s really going to be like, and to give some detailed thought to how it might affect their career plans and aspirations.”

"...some valuable links have been forged between our students, the visiting stakeholders and the University itself, and that's what today was all about."

Richard Fort Senior lecturer - electrical installation

That Sparky Gal in action

Beyond the benefits for students, events like the ELEX Day are important for employers as it’s a chance to showcase their companies and products, and network with others:

“Quite simply, we want our market-leading products in the hands of future electricians,” explained Lee Baker, Team Manager for Megger Ltd (electrical installation and testing products).

“There are a lot of products out there, but if ours are here and being used by the students while they’re being taught, we hope they’ll us take us with them as they enter the working world.

“We do these kinds of events all the time, but it’s our first visit here. It’s gone really well today, lots of engaged people with interesting questions.”

Also playing an important part of the day, the event welcomed special guests that included Kate Bradshaw, aka ‘That Sparky Gal’ Instagram influencer and Ben Poulter from the ‘Toolbox for Electricians’ podcast.

“I decided to use social media to grow my business as an electrician and it’s a good way to showcase your work,” explained Kate.

“Being a woman in the sector is quite niche and there’s a lot of competition out there, if you’re prepared to put your work online, it makes you stand out a little.

“I have my dad to thank for encouraging me to try being an electrician. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after school but knew I liked science, wanted to start earning and to work with my hands.

“As an apprentice, I bounced around a few times before I found my place, and it can be challenging - that’s why I’m here today, to help people in the same position as I was.”

And in much the same way that University College Birmingham offers comprehensive support and guidance for its students, Harriet Price from The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) was on hand to highlight the work they do to support professionals in the industry:

“The charity started out as a benevolent fund, but today our team deal with requests for support and advice that might be legal, financial, career or wellbeing. We’re the only charity offering support to anyone working in the electrical or energy sectors, as well as their immediate family.

“I’m here to introduce our Apprentice Playbook, and that’s offering student and apprentices, like the ones here today, advice on topics like how to get into the industry, how to stay in the industry and how to manage your money.

“We believe in prevention through education; we hope that people don’t need us, but they know where we are if they do.”

Bringing the GSAP launch and ELEX Day under one roof created a powerful snapshot of what UCB does best: convening industry, education and emerging talent to shape the future together.

“There’s been some real fun had today with the games and prizes, but more importantly, some valuable links have been forged between our students, the visiting stakeholders and the University itself,” concluded Richard Fort.

“And that’s what today was all about, setting the scene for our students’ future and preparing them to hit the ground running when they graduate.”

From employers sharing real world insights to students testing out the tools, the day showcased a sector in motion and a university switched on to leading that change.