How Suffolk New College is Electrifying Careers and Empowering Women in the UK Electrical Industry

Suffolk New College is lighting up the electrical industry by expanding its course offerings for all ages and levels, while forging new business partnerships and championing diversity.

Sparking a More Diverse Workforce

Currently, women make up just 1.7% of the UK's electrical workforce, with only about 3,500 female electricians nationwide. Emma Harvey, Director of Engineering, Construction and Building Technology at the college, emphasizes the need for change: "If you can see it, you can be it." The college is actively promoting female role models to inspire more girls to pursue electrical careers.

Trailblazing Female Role Models

• Jane Thorp, 21, has been a trailblazer, winning the SPARKS Female Skills competition in 2023 and being named the Suffolk Joint Construction Committee’s top building apprentice of the year in 2025. She was recently crowned Electrical Student of the Year at the college's apprenticeship awards.
• Georgia Barber, 19, from Saxmundham, is on an electrical installation level 3 course and highlights the hands-on nature and global opportunities: "With this career, I can go and do the thing that I like doing anywhere in the world."

Both students are passionate about encouraging other women to join the industry, breaking down barriers and showcasing the creative, dynamic, and rewarding aspects of electrical work.

Building Strong Industry Partnerships

The college has developed a cross-college scheme with 200 companies committed to working with learners at least three times a year. One key partner is Ceetech Ltd, an electrical and mechanical specialist based in Bramford, near Ipswich.

• Ceetech has worked with 22 apprentices via the college in 48 months.
• Director Steve Attle, a former apprentice at Suffolk College in the 1980s, values this pathway: "The college continues to play a vital role in developing the next generation."
• Joint Managing Director Luke Ashton, who also studied via an apprenticeship, champions the industry: "Construction is a good industry – it’s well-paid, and it’s future proof."

Expanding Educational Opportunities

Emma Harvey highlights the college's growth: "At Suffolk New College, we aren’t just maintaining our status as the premier provider – we are growing to meet the needs of the next generation of electricians."

• The college offers full-time programmes at levels 1, 2, and 3, allowing students to progress from scratch to advanced expertise without changing colleges.
• It has the largest electrical apprentice cohort in the region, with hundreds of apprentices working towards level 3 qualifications.
• In just two years, the number of electricians taught has risen by over 100.

Emma concludes: "We are going all out to light up the country by providing the best possible education for the next generation."