SJIB update from Fiona Harper

Fiona Harper, Secretary

A message from Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB

Happy new year! I hope you enjoyed the Christmas festivities, and that the coming year will be good to you and your business.

As we enter 2022, and with the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 now in our midst, the SJIB team will continue to work from home, with limited personnel in the office.

Our work will include processing ECS cards via the ECS Portal, which was launched last year and saw the implementation of Phase 5 in December.

This next stage means the following cards are now available online:

ElectrotechnicalECS Related Discipline
Electrician
Approved Electrician
Technician Electrician
Electrical Labourer
Operative
Maintenance Electrician
Electrical Fitter
Approved Electrical Fitter
Electrical Fitter (ECITB)
Approved Electrical Fitter (ECITB)
Electrical Winder
Approved Electrical Winder
Instrument Mechanic
Wireman
Panel Builder
ECS Related Discipline
• Field Engineer
• Equipment Installer
• Aerial and Satellite Engineer
• Control Systems Engineer
ManagementNetwork Infrastructure
ECS Site Support

ECS Manager
• Electrical Site Manager
• Electrical Contract Manager
• Manager
• Project Manager
• Contract Manager

Professionally Qualified Person (PQP)

Academically Qualified Person (AQP)
Network Infrastructure Apprentice
Network Infrastructure Trainee
Network Infrastructure Installer (Level 3)
Network Infrastructure Installer (Gold)
Network Infrastructure Advanced Installer (Under development)
Network Infrastructure Supervisor
Network Infrastructure Designer
Network Infrastructure Manager

Replacement cards

Please note that the SJIB has replaced the following cards, but that we will still honour any old versions until they expire:

Old SJIB ECS CardsNew SJIB ECS Cards
LabourerElectrical Labourer
OperativeOperative
Site Manager, Contract Manager, Senior ManagerECS Manager
Office Staff, VisitorSite Support

Health and safety criteria

Please also note that the criteria for each of the four new cards listed above has changed, most significantly the health and safety requirement.

Applicants applying for any of these cards will have to provide the SJIB with evidence they have completed the appropriate health and safety training. The ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment will not be accepted when applying for any of these cards for the first time. Find out more here.

Using the portal

Using the ECS Portal is quick and easy. Applicants are guided through a simple step-by-step process which includes uploading certificates and paying the relevant fee. Applications can be made via a computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone.

Applying for a card

To apply for a card:

  • Visit the ECS Card portal
  • Click on either Electrotechnical, ECS Related Discipline, Management or Network Infrastructure
  • Click on the relevant card from the drop-down list
  • Complete the Initial, Renewal or Upgrade online application.

Please remember that copies of all relevant certificates and documentation must be uploaded. Failure to do so will delay the application process and subsequent card issue.

Further information

If you have any queries about ECS cards and using the portal, please do not hesitate to contact the SJIB team on grading@sjib.org.uk

Please stay safe and keep well.

Fiona Harper
The Secretary of the SJIB

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Circular 18, 2021: The UK Government has announced that there will be a June bank holiday in 2022 to celebrate 70 years of The Queen’s reign.

New SJIB fees from 31 January 2022

Circular 17, 2021: The SJIB national board has agreed on new fees, which will be implemented starting 31 January 2022.

New Network Infrastructure ECS Card

Circular 16, 2021: SJIB announces new Network Infrastructure ECS card to replace existing Datacomms cards

Revised apprentice tool list

Circular 15, 2021: The SJIB National Working Rule section B, Appendix B7, has been reviewed and updated with new hand tool requirements for apprentices and adult trainees.

Changes to Statement of Employment Particulars

Circular 14: SJIB has conducted a review to update and modernise the Statement of Employment Particulars for Apprentices, Adult Trainees and Electrical operatives.

Lodging and retention fee increases

Circular 13, 2021: Update to allowances for lodging and retention fees which increase from Monday, 3 January 2022

Hidden dangers … put lives at risk

Unfortunately, there is no legislation currently in place to stop someone from calling themself an electrician – even if they have no qualifications.

This dangerous situation puts lives at risk, which is why we’re battling to change it. We’re leading an industry-wide campaign for ‘protection of title’, which would mean anyone claiming to be an electrician would need proper qualifications. Not doing so would be a criminal offence.

As well as helping to improve safety, our aim is to reduce the cost of faulty electrical work that we estimate costs Scotland £120million every year.

Every day, all over Scotland, we find faulty installations in homes and businesses that could be fatal.

£250million of work is being conducted by underqualified electricians

SELECT Group

Some lie hidden for years, waiting for a combination of circumstances until a flashpoint occurs.

However, a properly trained and qualified workforce would help towards eliminating these unnecessary risks.

We wish to see improved safety for domestic and commercial consumers by reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities from faulty electrical installation and maintenance work.

The Scottish Government has issued a consultation to establish the scale of defective and unsafe electrical work in Scotland and to obtain views on the potential regulation of electricians.

You can take part in the consultation, and help make Scotland safer by visiting: www.pyetait.com/Regulating-Electricians-in-Scotland

Find out more and help us keep you safer visit, select.org.uk/safer @Regulate_SELECT, or follow the #ItsAShocker on social media.


Supporting our campaign for legislation

National Working Rules: Promulgation

Circular 12, 2021: In this document, we update on the deal SELECT and UNITE the Union have concluded for the SJIB National Working Rules.