Darlington College has invested nearly £30,000 in upgrading its electrical training facilities.
The revamp aims to address growing demand in the sector and help tackle a projected national shortfall of 230,000 electricians by 2030.
The refurbishment includes a complete overhaul of the college’s workshops and skills bays, which support students and apprentices from Level 1 through to Level 3.
Gary Cook, senior lecturer at Darlington College, said: "Industry is crying out for electricians and the Government also wants to see an upskilled workforce.
"It is very well paid work and they will never be out of a job.
"They can work for big or small companies or for themselves, in this country and abroad."
Improvements include reboarded bays, restored work benches, new more sophisticated testers installed, and older equipment which has been refurbished.
Last academic year, students achieved 11 distinctions and 19 passes, marking one of the best result sets in the country.
Mr Cook said: "The new workshops will benefit all levels – students must reach Level 3 to be qualified – and feed into the apprenticeships which employers are asking us to find them."
Students who do not yet have maths qualifications can complete them alongside their electrical training, with support to help them understand how the subject applies to their future careers.
The course covers both domestic and commercial wiring, including lighting, alarms, data cabling, and smart home technology.
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Trainees also learn about emerging technologies such as EV chargers and renewable energy systems, including solar panels and ground source heating.
Mr Cook explained that the college tailors its approach to give students the confidence and skills needed to succeed, even if they didn’t leave school with the right qualifications.
He said: "We also try and show students that, while they may not have left school with what they need, we can help them progress."
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