Over the last twenty years the industry has contracted. Few new recruits have been employed to replace vacancies and the average age of the service engineer has risen.
Because of the reduced demand for training, college courses have been axed.
Soon many of our existing engineers will retire and there will be a shortage of good qualified engineers resulting in higher costs and poor service.
Since its formation in 2010, the HEEST Forum has worked with:
City & Guilds to produce Diplomas in Installing and servicing consumer electrical and electronic products.
EAL who also produce Diplomas in Installing and servicing consumer electrical and electronic products.
SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council, to produce an Apprenticeship Framework, incorporating the City & Guilds qualifications and attracting Government funding.
Gower College, to offer training for the qualifications using web cloud technology, video tutorials and practical sessions in their state of the art workshops.
Apprenticeships are now changing!
The Government has introduced a new Apprenticeship scheme that is easier to understand and employer led.
'Trailblazer' groups have been set up to develop new Apprenticeship schemes for each industry.
From 2017 funding will only be given companies using the new Trailblazer Apprenticeships. The funding for existing Apprenticeships will stop.
Our application to produce a Trailblazer Apprenticeship for our industry was accepted on the 12th March 2015 !
Click here for more details!
The Forum is supported by the four major trade associations in the industry
The 'Radio Electrical Television Retailers Association,' whose member include the retail and service side of the industry
TechUK is the voice of the UK's Technology Industry and represents the manufactures of consumer electronic equipment.
Providing Information, Involvement and Influence that companies and their management teams value and rely on in the catering equipment sector
'Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances,' represent the manufacturers of domestic appliances.
We are also supported by the following manufacturers and service providers who regularly attend our meetings
