Industry News

New wage agreement for industry

The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and Unite the Union have agreed on a new two-year wage deal from January 2024 for the electrical contracting industry under the JIB collective agreement. Some of the key changes to be implemented include: Year 1 – from 1 January 2024 – 7% increase to rates – £20 increase to weekly sick pay for all grades during weeks 3 to 24 – therefore providing: –…

ECA firms named as top apprenticeship employers by DfE

ECA Member firms Balfour Beatty and Clarkson Evans are listed in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers this year. The firms are ranked alongside the British Army, the Royal Navy and other household names. Of the smaller ECA Members, Darke and Taylor and ESG are recognised, making the list of the 50 Top SME Apprenticeship Employers. Together, the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers reveal which…

Young engineers from Cheshire school triumph in national engineering challenge final

Students from Fallibroome Academy in Cheshire, have won the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET’s) national IET Faraday engineering challenge, securing £1,000 for their school. The top five school teams from the season league table attended the IET Faraday National Final on Thursday 29 June 2023 at the Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) at Cranfield University. The teams were Sandringham School from Hertfordshire, Fallibroome Academy from Cheshire, Thomas…

JTL announces the winners of its Employer Recognition Awards

JTL, one of the leading apprenticeship providers in the building services engineering sector in England and Wales, has announced the winners of its 2023 Employer Recognition Awards. The awards process, which takes place annually, recognises employers who have shown remarkable levels of support and commitment toward their JTL apprentices. With five award winners this year, it has taken a considerable level of consistency and merit for each winner to stand out…

Latest LMI published by TESP gives new skills insights

New Labour Market Intelligence published by TESP has shown an increased focus on low carbon activities and an increase in expected demand for qualified electricians and apprentices. Download a summary infographic The detailed LMI study, carried out by research experts Pye Tait and funded by industry charity NET, has provided up-to-date information on the electrotechnical sector in terms of its size, workforce demography, and the challenges and opportunities that it faces. With a…

JTL and its apprentices shortlisted at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards

JTL, one of the leading apprenticeship providers in the building services engineering sector in England and Wales, has been shortlisted in the annual Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards alongside three of its apprentices – Mazidur, Jordan and Josh. The awards, which take place in October, highlight the achievements of multicultural apprentices and the contribution of the employers and learning providers who assisted them. As a result of its continued pledge to better supporting diversity in its…

Extra support secured for Scottish electrical apprenticeships in 2023-24 after more “intense lobbying” from SECTT, SJIB and SELECT

Scotland’s leading electrical bodies are celebrating another training boost for the industry after it was confirmed that the next intake of electrical apprentices and adult trainees will again be financially supported. The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), Unite the Union and campaigning trade association SELECT had been lobbying for additional places after initial fears that there would be another shortfall in funding for new learners signing up for 2023-24. However,…