Day November 28, 2025

Every single week, someone asks us the same question: "Should I go JIB or stay CIS?" Sometimes it's phrased as "Do I need the JIB card?" or "Why would I work for £19 an hour when agencies pay £26?" And occasionally, it's the YouTube-fuelled classic: "My mate's cousin's electrician earns £50 an hour, so why are JIB rates so low?"
The confusion is understandable. You've got official JIB rates sitting at £17.54 to £20.79 per hour for 2025 depending on your grade.

You've completed Level 2 and Level 3 diplomas. Theory exams passed. 18th Edition certificate secured. You understand BS 7671, you can calculate voltage drop, you know your testing sequences. And now you're stuck. Not because the knowledge is missing. Because the site experience isn't there. You need employment generating portfolio evidence across domestic, commercial, and industrial installations. Without it, your NVQ stalls regardless of theoretical competence. The qualification requires proof you can install containment, terminate cables, test circuits, and certify work under real job conditions. Photos from college simulations don't count. Witness statements from mates helping on weekends get rejected. City & Guilds assessors verify genuine workplace experience with qualified supervision, varied installation types, and proper documentation. No shortcuts exist.