Day December 15, 2025

The UK electrical industry operates on a two-tier system that most new entrants don't fully understand until they've already committed to a route. On one side sits domestic-only electrical work, accessible through short courses and Part P registration schemes, allowing quick entry into residential rewires, consumer unit changes, and landlord certificates. On the other sits full-scope commercial and industrial work requiring NVQ Level 3, AM2 assessment, and ECS Gold Card status. The choice between these paths shapes your earning potential, job security, and career mobility for decades.

An electrician earning £20 per hour sounds straightforward until you factor in two hours of daily unpaid travel, mileage that doesn't cover the full cost of running a van, or lodging allowances that fall short of actual hotel prices. The Joint Industry Board (JIB) National Working Rules govern not just base wages but also when travel time is paid, how mileage is reimbursed, and what electricians receive for staying away from home. These rules directly determine whether an advertised £40,000 annual salary translates to genuine £40,000 value or closer to £35,000 once unpaid commuting hours are factored in. The 2026-2028 JIB agreement delivers substantial wage increases: 3.95% in January 2026, 4.6% in January 2027, and 4.85% in January 2028.