Why Regular Training Is Non-Negotiable for Installers

For electrical installers, constantly moving forward is part of the job description. With systems becoming more advanced, regulation evolving and new tech becoming standard across modern buildings, it’s hardly connecting wires and calling it a day anymore. Nowadays, you’ll find yourself on-site, the job running to schedule – until a client asks if you can connect the solar inverter to the EV charger, and make sure it plays nice with the lighting system. When that happens, it’s not – or rather, shouldn’t be – that big of an ask, it’s actually a boilerplate upgrade…

… if you’re in the loop, that is. Because managing this level of complexity, delivering technical insights and keeping up with the pace of innovation all come down to one thing: training. Continuous, focused and increasingly digital.

The real question isn’t if it’s needed – you already know it is – it’s how often, in what format, who provides it, and what topics are most urgent. So, let’s break it all down.

Ongoing Shifts In Training

Training today isn’t what it was ten years ago. It’s not even what it was two years ago. And, from afar, upskilling and lifelong learning may sound like buzzwords with little merit, but to installers? They’re pretty much day-to-day. Let’s look at what’s changing, what works and where the momentum is going. 

Frequency and Format Are Evolving

Industry-wide, the expectation is regular training sessions staying parallel to product development. It can be done face-to-face, online or through hybrid channels, however the majority of installers still prefers in-person learning, especially in Germany and France. We’re seeing online platforms becoming more accepted and better integrated into daily routines, picking up especially well in the UK and Spain.

What Are Installers Learning?

Training topics across Europe are driven by clear business needs. The top three?

1. New regulations – because staying compliant is a must
2. Installation practices – especially as systems grow more integrated
3. New products and innovations – because the pace of change is relentless

This is where product training often comes in – whether it’s from a manufacturer, an industry body or a wholesale partner. In the UK, for instance, internal company training is common. In Germany, wholesalers take the lead, while in France and Spain manufacturers are the primary source.

A High Pressure to Train

If you’re thinking that the bar feels higher than ever, you’re not imagining it – the industry is in overdrive. And three major shifts are putting training front and center.

Electrification Is Redefining the Job

The building sector is becoming fully electrified. Heating, once the domain of boilers and gas, is now a mix of pure electric and heat pump systems. Add in energy storage, EV chargers or a general trend towards smart home integration, and the installer becomes part electrician, part systems integrator. Put clearly, products are getting more and more sophisticated, must be adopted at speed and for that to happen, installers need to stay on their toes.

The Knowledge Gap Is Widening

Many seasoned professionals are nearing retirement, and following them suit are decades of hands-on experience and savviness. Newer entrants to the field bring energy, but lack the experience and know-how. This imbalance puts pressure on businesses to build competence quickly and reliably, so there’s both an acute and a chronic need for structured training.

For manufacturers and wholesalers, this is also a chance to step in, and potentially build brand loyalty. Providing solid training helps installers and creates a direct line of trust and familiarity with your product.

Product Differentiation Happens Through Service

In all honesty, a Makita drill, a Bosch one or a DeWalt one will all get the job done. And when brands perform similarly this way, the installer becomes the differentiator. So training isn’t just education; it could – and quite often does – become a branding strategy through relationship-building and customer intimacy. Installers that are confident with a certain product, understand its quirks and can explain its advantages in no time? They’re also representing.

What the Numbers Say

Training looks different depending on where you are in Europe. Some countries are ahead of the curve, others are barely keeping up. Plus, there’s a lot of variation in how often it happens, who’s delivering it and whether it’s actually sticking. Here’s a birds-eye-view.

Training Volume and Participation

• 84% of installers in Europe have attended some form of training recently
• the UK trail-blazes with 22 sessions on average, most countries hover between 8–9
• Belgium and France show the lowest engagement in general, especially with online, where only 1 in 10 installers report attendance

Preferences by Country

• Face-to-face is the preferred training channel for 30% of installers, especially in France and Germany
  • in reality an intense work tempo is quickly making way for online alternatives that some 20% of installers are interested in
• The UK and Spain show a stronger acceptance of hybrid models that combine online and offline
  • 30% of installers actually want a mix, but that definition varies both by country and company size

Bigger companies are more likely to invest in training: 90% of large installers have undergone training recently, compared to 71% of smaller ones. The trend is clear: staying relevant means staying awake.

Certification? An Even Split…

Half of the surveyed professionals are interested in certification, half are not. Enthusiasm is strongest in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, lowest in Spain. As for whether training impacts purchase decisions? 55% say yes, but this varies across the board – a quarter of installers in Belgium, France or Germany are more likely to say training doesn’t affect what they buy at all.

Conclusion

The industry isn’t moving slow – neither should you. Today’s electrical installer is no longer wiring up lights and sockets, but powering the core systems of smart, sustainable buildings. 

If you’re managing a team, planning growth or just trying to stay on top of the trends, the takeaway is simple: training isn’t really up for discussion. It’s the cost of doing business in an increasingly complex sector. The good news? There’s more training available than ever before – from internal programs and industry bodies to manufacturer-led platforms that can help your team upskill faster.

So act on it. Check out our blog for more insights, join our webinars for further advice, or get our in-depth reports to make sure you’re always one step ahead.