National Apprenticeship Week 2022

07 February 22

This week marks National Apprenticeship Week, and the 2022 theme continues on the premise of “Build the Future” as seen in 2021.
Build the Future focused on how apprenticeships can bring benefits for individuals, business, and the local community. This is the 15^th week-long celebration encouraging individuals of any age to reach their career goals by building their skills and knowledge through an apprenticeship.
Why an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is the preferred route into the electrical industry. You’ll earn while you learn and train to industry standards, building your skills and knowledge over time. In England, apprenticeship funding is available for all ages.
The JIB has long promoted the benefits of apprenticeships as being one of the core ways the industry can bring through the next generation of skilled tradespeople and equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours. This is why the JIB works with more than 60 apprenticeship and training providers to register apprentices under industry recognised frameworks for training and promotion of career progression and employment standards for those in training.
Alongside traineeships, experience worker assessment routes and qualification frameworks, apprenticeships represent one of the main ways people achieve skilled status in their occupation and the award of an ECS gold card.
How the JIB works with industry to raise standards
The JIB regularly works with the Department for Education, Institute for Apprenticeships and Further Education, trade associations, unions, awarding organisations and employer groups to ensure the content of apprenticeships is right for industry need and that new training routes, like T Levels, map into the apprenticeship programmes so that people are put on the right career path at the start of their career in the industry.
The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) recognises a range of apprenticeships across disciplines which lead to the award of an ECS gold card – recognition of skilled status in an occupation - including:

• Electrotechnical
• Fire, Emergency and Security Systems
• Building Controls
• Network Infrastructure, telecoms wireless rigging
• Electrical Product Service Engineers
• Digital Support, Networks and Cyber Security
• Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician

Want to get involved? Consultations go out regularly on updating apprenticeship standards in England, and you can find out what is coming up for discussion here.
ECS cards for those in training
An ECS apprentice card is a reflection that a person is on that route to a gold card and is building their valuable skills and knowledge, and so employers and clients can readily identify those who will need additional supervision to begin with.
ECS also recognises those on Industry Placements, such as T levels or skills bootcamps, pre-apprenticeships, traineeships, and experienced worker programmes. You can download a simple guide on the ECS cards available for those in training here.
Find out more about a career in the industry
The Electrical Careers website presents a host of useful information on the benefits and opportunities that come with an apprenticeship. This includes ensuring you’re on the right route to qualified status through these handy guides – Electrical Training Routes.
Employers
If you’re an employer in the electrotechnical industry, the Electrical Careers website should also be your first port of call for electrical careers information and resources.
Training Providers and how to gain the most from the ECS platforms
Get recognised for your high-quality training by registering with the JIB, access the ECS digital platforms to manage your learners, get discounted rates on registration and assessments, as well as exclusive marketing and promotional opportunities to ECS card holders and more than 3,000 employers.