The JIB Skills Development Fund provides financial assistance for courses for those undertaking further education and training in the electrical industry.
JIB member companies can benefit from grants towards training and upskilling their workforce, helping to make their business more competitive. This funding is up to 75% of course fees, up to £1250 per person, per course, per year, so can add up very quickly in helping your business to grow.
Who Qualifies?
For JIB member companies, electrical operatives and registered apprentices will be eligible to apply through the JIB Skills Development Fund for courses which are over and above the normal requirements of the JIB grading system.
JIB member companies can reclaim costs of training provided to their employees, helping to upskill the workforce and provide valuable qualifications and training.
The Fund is also open to those who have been made redundant so if circumstances are such that a company has had to reduce numbers in the workforce, the Fund may be able to provide grants to help boost the skills of those looking to re-enter the workforce.
What Courses are Covered?
Information on the courses covered can be found here. For further information on eligibility, please email ir@jib.org.uk or call 01322 661605.
Level 3 Courses
BTEC National Certificates (including Bridging courses) have been the most common Level 3 courses funded.
Courses in this category will include additional occupational disciplines to NVQ Level 3, BTEC National Certificates (including Bridging Courses) and courses in niche areas. These courses attract funding of up to £750 per funding year.
Level 4 – 5 Courses
These courses are those at an HNC or HPD level. The most common courses are the HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the HNC in Building Services. Design and Verification of Electrical Installations has also recently been included in the list of courses eligible for funding. These courses receive up to £1000 per funding year.
Level 6 Courses
These courses are those at Degree level. These courses receive up to £1,250 per funding year.
Level 7 Courses and above
These courses, which would be Masters Level or higher, attract the Scholarship Grant of £3,000.
JIB Scholarship Grant
If an operative is considering undertaking a higher level qualification, such as a Master's Degree, then the JIB Scholarship Grant may be able to provide financial assistance with a grant of £3,000.
How to Apply
Funding is either provided directly to the college or training centre or is reimbursed to the operative (or company if they are paying the costs up front) on the production of receipts for the course. The application form contains further terms and conditions for the provision of grants and all decisions are at the discretion of the JIB Skills Development Fund Committee.
Please download the application form, complete and return it to the JIB at:
JIB Skills Development Fund
PO Box 127
Swanley
Kent
BR8 9BH
Or email to ir@jib.org.uk
JIB Skills Development Fund – Operatives
If an operative wants to further their education, advance their craft or upskill, the Skills Development Fund may be able to provide financial assistance. The Fund promotes a higher standard of technical knowledge and craftsmanship. This is done through the funding of courses relevant to the industry, usually for 75%.
In order to qualify for funding, operatives must be working directly for a JIB member company, be an apprentice registered with the JIB, or be registered as unemployed. Funding is also open to anyone wishing to undertake a study in the electrical industry which will be of benefit to the industry as a whole.
Funding for unemployed operatives is discretionary. Applications are considered on their merits and there is no restriction on the type of course considered or the amounts funded. Personal circumstances will also be taken into account.
If operatives do not qualify for support through the JIB Skills Development Fund, then there may be other support available. Details of other sources of funding can be found below.
Additional Industry Support for Training
Free Courses for Jobs
The Government introduced a programme in 2021 to help support training and upskilling for people in the UK without level 3 qualifications or those in need of financial support. This includes a number of free courses at level 3 for both technical and vocational qualifications. Qualifications covered include NVQ Level 3 for Electrical Installation and Maintenance.
The Electrical Industries Charity
While the Charity does not currently support training directly, it helps all people working and who have worked within the electrical, electronics and energy community as well as their family members and retired colleagues.
It does this through the provision of four workplace programmes that give the industry access to financial grants and a comprehensive range of free and confidential services.
- Employee and Family Support Programme (EFP)
- Apprentice Support Programme (ASP)
- Pensioner Support Programme (PSP)
- Practical Participation Programme (PPP)
- Bringing industries together to help their own
Find out more about Electrical Industries Charity
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
The IET provides numerous prizes, awards and scholarships for those within engineering and technology. This ranges from supporting apprentices to those undertaking postgraduate and doctoral degrees. Further information can be found at The institution of Engineering and Technology .
The Worshipful Company of Constructors
Company awards and scholarships are also available from the Worshipful Company of Constructors for the purposes of supporting students, graduates, academics and practitioners in order to reward the construction leaders of the future. These awards and scholarships are more applicable to academic applicants but are available more widely within the construction industry than the JIB Skills Development Fund. Further details can be found at The Worshipful Company of Constructors .
ReAct Funding – Wales
The Welsh Government is offering financial support to those living in Wales (and have a legal right to work in the UK) who have been made redundant and wish to undertake vocational training. This aims to enable individuals to develop new skills and improve their chances of returning to work in the shortest time possible following redundancy.
Funding is usually for 100% of the course fee to a maximum of £1500, and further support may be available. ReAct can either provide funding for the course fees or as a contribution towards wages for the recruiting employer, but not both.
