The recent JIB agreement—nearly 4 % wage rise secured for UK electricians what the 2026-28 JIB deal means for your pay packet and training plans (https://elec.training/news/nearly-4-wage-rise-secured-for-uk-electricians-what-the-2026-28-jib-deal-means-for-your-pay-packet-and-training-plans/)—brings important changes for anyone entering or already working in the electrical trade.
For learners in the Midlands, Electrician Courses Birmingham (https://elec.training/electrician-courses-birmingham/) by Elec Training are well placed to help you take advantage of these new pay scales, ensuring your skills and qualifications align with what employers will now expect.
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What Does the JIB Deal Say
The Joint Industry Board (JIB), together with Unite the Union and employer bodies, has approved a wage agreement running from 2026 to 2028. Key points include:
- 3.95 % increase for graded operatives from 5 January 2026.
- Further increases in 2027 and 2028 for graded operatives (4.6 % in 2027, 4.85 % in 2028).
- Apprentice rates will also rise: smaller increases in 2027 (+2 %) and 2028 (+3 %).
- Improvements in sick pay: +£10/week for weeks 3–24; +£5/week for weeks 25–52 depending on grade.
Why This Matters If You’re Training or Planning to
If you’re studying or planning to become an electrician in Birmingham, these changes make qualification timing more important than ever:
- Completing your NVQ Level 3 or other essential qualifications before early 2026 means you’ll benefit from the 3.95 % uplift once you’re a graded operative, not just in trainee/apprentice rates.
- The rising rates make it more financially worthwhile to invest in training now. Every qualification you add (e.g. wiring regs, inspection & testing, specialisms) will contribute more as base pay improves.
- Higher base rates and better sick pay reduce some of the risk of moving away from more stable work into training or lower-paid roles.
What Elec Training & Birmingham Courses Can Do for You
Elec Training in Birmingham offers courses and support that align well with this agreement:
- Local access to core courses: NVQ Level 3, wiring regulations, inspection & testing, etc., so you’re able to complete them in time for the 2026 pay rise.
- Support and guidance to plan your training path purposefully (which modules to prioritise, when to timetable exams) so you don’t miss out on higher rates.
- Opportunities to add extra skills (specialist modules, green tech, etc.) that could benefit more as pay scales rise.
Labour Market & Industry Context
The JIB deal comes in response to various pressures:
- A shortage of skilled electricians around the UK, especially in construction and renewables sectors.
- Inflation and cost-of-living increases putting more pressure on wages in general, pushing trade bodies to negotiate better terms.
- Employers increasingly needing higher skill levels (NVQ, wiring regs, inspection/testing, etc.), which means those qualifications are becoming more valuable financially.
Tips to Make the Most of the JIB Wage Waves
Here are ways to position yourself so you’re in the best spot:
- Aim to finish key qualifications (NVQ Level 3 etc.) before January 2026 so you qualify as a graded operative in time for the first wage increase.
- Collect evidence early, make sure your portfolio is strong; don’t leave certification or module work to the last minute.
- Consider training in specialist areas (EV charging, renewables, inspection & testing) which may pay more or offer better contracts once base wages go up.
- Watch apprentice vs operative rates: being eligible to become a graded operative sooner has a financial payoff.
- Check local training options in Birmingham—shorter travel, regular course starts, good support can make completing sooner easier.
If you’re considering or already on your electrical training path in Birmingham, now’s a good time to plan with these changes in mind. Elec Training offers the courses, mentoring, and local access you need so when the wage changes land, you’re ready to benefit.