With The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) reporting a surge in electrical apprentices earlier this year, the Joint Industry Board (JIB) is issuing a reminder of the benefits JIB membership can deliver for apprentices and their employers. The JIB is an impartial organisation that sets the standards for employment, welfare, grading and apprentice training in the electrical contracting industry. Its work is targeted at improving the industry, its status and productivity.
Figures from The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education show that the intake of electrical apprentices remained strong throughout the coronavirus pandemic, demonstrating the value employers place on apprenticeships as the preferred route for training.
The JIB has operated a registration programme for apprentices for more than four decades. This programme sets the apprentice on the right track from day one, gives greater support to their employer as they bring through this next generation of talent and shines a light on those training providers who are supporting the highest standards of technical, employment and health and safety knowledge within the electrotechnical industry.
In addition to the apprenticeship benefits, there are a number of other services available to member companies that will help to assure clients and contractors that they are dealing with a professional company working to high employment standards.
For example, the standards set out in the JIB National Working Rules act as a comprehensive set of terms and conditions of employment adopted by all JIB company members, operatives and apprentices. The JIB handbook also acts as an invaluable guide to ensure members are acting within employment law.
Access to the JIB Skills Development Fund is another popular benefit, providing financial assistance for courses for those undertaking further education and training in the electrical industry.
JIB Chief Executive Jay Parmar comments: “Our members range from companies with one qualified electrician and one apprentice, setting their employment arrangements on a sound footing, through to some of the largest players in the industry, who benefit from recognised Gold Standard in employment practices. A bespoke template Contract of Employment is available for all JIB company members taking on new employees under the JIB terms and conditions and the JIB staff are always on hand to provide free support to members.”