This measure aims to ensure fairness and stability for apprentices throughout their apprenticeships, and ECA, SELECT, and Unite the Union have collaborated to implement this solution.

The electrical industry urgently needs skilled workers to support the low-carbon transition. Over the next five years, 15,000 newly qualified electricians are estimated to be needed.

To meet this demand, it is crucial to recruit at least 12,000 electrical apprentices annually, significantly more than the current average of 8,000. Ensuring fair pay is also critical to attracting and retaining this talent pipeline.

The agreed updated rates of pay for 2025 are as follows:

JIB Table of Rates and Differentials

Part of this updated agreement removes the ‘At College’ pay rate for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This means there will be one rate of pay that applies to all hours of work or to off-the-job learning during an apprenticeship. 

For clarity, this does not affect those apprentices employed in Scotland under the SJIB National Working Rules for whom the ‘At College’ rate remains for Stages 3 and 4. 

The ECA, SELECT, and Unite agreement takes effect on Monday, January 6, 2025. It retains the benefits of grading by encouraging apprenticeship completion, progression to electrician status, and the structured obtaining of a gold card.

This is set against the backdrop of upcoming pay negotiations for 2026 onwards, which will commence in 2025.