JIB offers apprentices a chance to win a trip to Australia

The Joint Industry Board (JIB) is offering one lucky apprentice the chance to spend six weeks living and working as an electrician in Brisbane, Australia.

The JIB Skills Development Fund will cover the cost of flights, accommodation, wages and associated costs for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, where the winner will spend time with several contractors in the city. The apprentice will also visit the contractors' association, union and leading training providers to get a better understanding of how the industry works and compile a report on their experiences of the electrical industry in Queensland, Australia.

Previous winners have described how the experience enhanced their career. Thomas Hyland, who won a trip to Brisbane in 2013, said: “The Apprentice Exchange trip benefited my career enormously. I truly believe the knowledge and understanding gained on that trip has helped me to secure the position I am in today.”

Luke Wheeler, who won a trip to New York in 2012, added: “I would certainly recommend applying to the Apprentice Exchange as there is nothing to lose! It was such a great experience and I met many friends who I still keep in touch with today. I really appreciate being given the opportunity.”

To be eligible to apply, the applicant must:

• Be in Stage 3 or Stage 4 of the apprenticeship with a JIB-registered training provider
• Be working for a JIB member (who is also a member of the ECA)
• Be a member of Unite the Union
• Hold a valid, in-date passport and driving licence
• Have the endorsement of their employer and training officer

As many people started their applications before the Exchange was postponed due to Covid-19, anyone who was eligible at the start of 2020 will remain eligible even if now a qualified Electrician. A shortlist of candidates will be invited for an interview with a panel of industry representatives, who will be looking for apprentices who are knowledgeable, confident, and willing to learn.

Richard Clarke, Chair of the JIB Skills Development Fund Trustees, commented, “The JIB Skills Development Fund is delighted to welcome the next set of applicants for the JIB Apprentice Exchange Programme. 

“As previous winners have highlighted, it offers a fantastic opportunity to enhance not only your electrotechnical career, but also to experience and learn about life as an electrician in another country. Furthermore, the successful applicant will act as an ambassador for the UK electrical contracting industry, learning about and sharing best practice and experiences for the benefit of the electrical community internationally. We encourage applications from anyone eligible who is interested in pushing themselves to see how far they can go with their electrical career.”