ECA

SELECT welcomes ‘clarity and certainty’ over new 2-year wage agreement for electricians

Campaigning trade association SELECT says it is “extremely pleased” that a two-year wage agreement has been agreed for Scotland’s electricians. The deal, which will see rates of pay for electricians, apprentices and adult trainees rise by 7% in 2024 and a further 5% in 2025, will come into effect in January 2024. The new wage agreement, which will apply across the UK, has been announced following lengthy negotiations between SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’…

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…

Net Zero not possible without right skills, says ECA

ECA has welcomed the report by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) urging government to prioritise workforce development and avoid a looming Net Zero skills crisis. The body highlights the CCC’s calls for stronger investment and governance in further education and the wider skills and learning system. This echoes ECA’s own work with Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs). Here we have highlighted severe mismatches throughout England between the courses and qualifications which many…

Electrical apprenticeships offer best career opportunities

A new guide published by the Department for Education and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has highlighted the fact that electrical apprenticeships can offer some of the best career prospects for young people. ECA Director of Workforce and Public Affairs Andrew Eldred said: “This endorsement from the Department for Education and IfATE confirms what we in industry already knew. An electrical apprenticeship isn’t just a popular choice.…

Work continues to update Electrical Apprenticeship in England

Work is continuing to update the Installation and Maintenance Electrician apprenticeship standard in England. Overseen by a representative employer group, which includes a number of ECA members, the changes proposed include greater coverage of net zero and digital technologies, especially around electrical vehicle charging. During September, an industry-wide consultation on the proposed new standard, including these changes, elicited over 300 responses, the vast majority of them supportive. A revised version…

Leading apprentice wins 2022 ECA Edmundson Award

Veronica Jennings has been recognised as one of the country’s leading electrotechnical and engineering services apprentices, after winning the coveted 2022 ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award during a ceremony held at the Royal Society in London. Veronica, who works for ECA member-firm Imtech Engineering Services in Nottingham, was trained by leading apprenticeships provider JTL. After overcoming fierce competition from two other finalists, Veronica won prizes including £1,500 and an…