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Every funding option for electrical training — ELCAS, bursaries, payment plans, employer sponsorship, and government schemes.
The cost of becoming a qualified electrician — typically 8,000 to 16,000 pounds for the full diploma route — is the biggest barrier for most people considering a career change. But there are more funding options available than most people realise. From government schemes and military credits to employer sponsorship and flexible payment plans, this guide covers every way to fund your electrical training.
The right funding approach depends on your personal circumstances — whether you are employed, unemployed, a military service leaver, or an employer looking to upskill staff. Most people use a combination of funding sources to cover their training costs.
Key message
Do not let the cost put you off. The return on investment for electrical training is among the best of any career path. A newly qualified electrician earns 25,000 to 32,000 pounds per year, with experienced self-employed electricians earning 40,000 to 65,000 or more. The training investment is typically recovered within the first year of working.
The Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCAS) is one of the most generous funding sources for electrical training. If you are a current or former member of the UK Armed Forces, this should be your first port of call.
Register at elcas.co.uk, choose an ELCAS approved training provider (Total Skills is approved), submit a claim at least 25 working days before the course start date, and ELCAS pays the provider directly. You pay the remaining balance.
ELCAS can be combined with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) resettlement grant (534 pounds) and charitable grants from organisations like SSAFA and the Royal British Legion.
Related Course
Level 2 Diploma (2365)
The Level 2 Diploma is ELCAS eligible — use your credits towards your first electrical qualification.
The Adult Education Budget (AEB) is government funding delivered through local authorities and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). It provides fully funded or co-funded training for adults aged 19 and over, with the level of funding depending on your employment status and income.
If you do not qualify for full funding, you may be eligible for co-funding, where the government pays a proportion of the course fee and you pay the rest. The co-funding rate is typically 50 percent of the course fee for eligible learners.
AEB funding is delivered through approved colleges and training providers, not directly to individuals. Contact your local college or the National Careers Service (0800 100 900) to find out what funded courses are available in your area. Availability varies significantly by region and changes each academic year.
Limited availability
AEB funding for electrical courses is not universally available. Not all providers offer AEB-funded electrical training, and places are limited. If AEB funding is not available in your area, consider other options such as Advanced Learner Loans or payment plans.
Advanced Learner Loans are government-backed loans for learners aged 19 and over studying at Level 3 and above at approved providers. They work similarly to university student loans — you do not start repaying until you earn above a certain threshold.
Advanced Learner Loans are only available at providers that have been specifically approved for loan funding by the ESFA. Not all private training providers have this approval. Additionally, loans are typically only available for Level 3 qualifications, which means they may not cover the Level 2 Diploma (which is the entry point for most career changers).
If your chosen training provider is not loan-approved, their own payment plan may be a more accessible alternative. Many providers offer interest-free instalments that achieve a similar result without the administrative complexity of a government loan.
Employer sponsorship is an often-overlooked funding source. Many construction, facilities management, and property maintenance companies will fund or part-fund electrical training for existing employees who want to upskill.
Present a clear business case. Explain how your additional qualifications will benefit the company — you can take on more work, the company can offer more services, and they retain a loyal, upskilled employee. Many employers prefer to fund training for existing trusted staff rather than recruiting externally.
Training agreements
Employer-sponsored training often comes with a training agreement or clawback clause. This typically requires you to stay with the employer for one to three years after qualifying, or repay some or all of the training costs if you leave earlier. This is standard practice and protects the employer's investment. Read any agreement carefully before signing.
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) provides grants to construction employers to help fund training. If you are employed by a CITB-registered company, your employer can claim back a significant proportion of your training costs.
CITB grants are paid to the employer, not the individual. However, knowing that grants are available can help you make a stronger case when asking your employer to sponsor your training. The grant reduces the employer's net cost, making them more likely to agree.
If your employer is CITB registered but unaware of the grants available, point them towards the CITB website or their local CITB advisor. Many smaller construction companies do not claim all the grants they are entitled to, leaving money on the table that could fund your training.
Most private training providers offer payment plans that let you spread the cost of training over several months. This is the most commonly used funding method for career changers who do not qualify for other schemes.
At Total Skills, we offer flexible interest-free payment plans on all diploma courses. We understand that paying several thousand pounds upfront is not realistic for most people, and our plans are designed to make training accessible without financial stress.
Combine funding sources
Payment plans work well in combination with other funding. For example, you might use ELCAS to cover 2,000 pounds, your employer sponsors another 1,000 pounds, and you put the remaining balance on a payment plan. This approach makes even the most expensive qualifications manageable.
Related Course
Level 2 & 3 Package
Our Level 2 & 3 package offers the best value — flexible payment plans are available.
Beyond the main funding routes, there are several other sources worth exploring depending on your circumstances.
Some local councils offer discretionary grants for skills training, particularly for unemployed residents or those in deprived areas. Availability varies widely by location. Contact your local council's skills or economic development team to find out what is available.
The government funds free Skills Bootcamps in various sectors, including construction and green skills. These are typically short, intensive courses (up to 16 weeks) that are fully funded. While they may not cover the full electrician qualification pathway, they can provide useful introductory training or specialist skills in areas like EV charging or solar installation.
The government's Career Development Loan scheme has been phased out, but some banks and credit unions still offer professional development loans with competitive rates. These are personal loans specifically designed for training and education expenses. Compare rates carefully and consider whether a training provider's own payment plan might be more cost-effective.
Related Course
Level 2 Diploma (2365)
Ready to start? Speak to us about which funding options are available for your training.
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