Day December 4, 2025

The Joint Industry Board for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services (JIB-PMES) has confirmed a two-year wage settlement covering 2026 and 2027. All operatives employed under the National Working Rule Agreement (NWRA) will receive a 3.4% increase to wages and allowances from 5 January 2026, followed by another 3.4% increase from 4 January 2027. The agreement applies to plumbers, pipefitters, gas engineers, HVAC operatives, and low-carbon heating specialists working under NWRA terms. The settlement represents a significant moderation from the high single-digit rises seen in 2024 (+7%) and 2025 (+5%), reflecting employer pressure for predictable cost modelling and a shift away from inflation-driven volatility.

If you've spent any time on electrician forums or spoken to employers, you'll have heard the phrase "six-week wonders." It's not a compliment. Short-duration electrician courses, typically running 5 to 16 weeks, are heavily marketed to career-changers and adults looking for fast entry into the electrical trade. The promises are compelling: become a qualified electrician quickly, earn £50k+ within months, get guaranteed interviews or placements, achieve industry-recognised status, fast-track to your Gold Card.

Every electrician knows UK wages vary by region, but the actual numbers tell a more complex story than "London pays more." A qualified electrician in Manchester earning £38,000 annually often has more disposable income than someone in London on £47,000 once you account for £1,800 monthly rent versus £900. The headline salary doesn't tell you what you can actually save, invest, or spend. The North-South divide is real, but it's not as straightforward as higher rates in the South meaning better earnings.