NEWS
Ewan Forsythe, an apprentice at Belfast Met who is training with NUGENT, has been named as one of eight finalists to compete in the SkillELECTRIC UK Final 2025 at Bridgend College in November. Achieving the top score in Electrical Installation at the SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier, held in South Eastern Regional College on May 20, Ewan was also named Apprentice of the Year at the Northern Ireland Electrical Awards in Titanic Belfast on June 6. The eight SkillELECTRIC competitors who scored most highly across the recent national qualifying heats have been named as this year’s UK finalists. Alongside SkillELECTRIC, around 50 other WorldSkills national competition finals, involving over 400 competitors, will be taking place over the week of November 24 across venues around South Wales. To be crowned SkillELECTRIC champion, competitors must excel in a complicated three-day practical installation task set to a strict timescale and against rigorous marking criteria. Low-carbon technologies will feature again in the form of EV point charging and solar tasks for competitors to tackle. www.skillelectric.org.uk BELFAST MET APPRENTICE NAMED AS SKILLELECTRIC UK FINALIST
L-R: John Grady, Kayleigh Grogan and Leah Murphy, WorldSkills Ireland competitors.
WORLDSKILLS IRELAND RETURNS TO INSPIRE NEXT GENERATION
Electrical Installations is among 30 competition categories to be hosted at this year’s WorldSkills Ireland, set to be held in the RDS Dublin over September 17-19. As a growing number of students seek practical, skills-based pathways to build their future, the annual event aims to inspire and educate the next generation with real-world opportunities beyond the traditional academic route. In 2024, an unprecedented 75% of student attendees came to WorldSkills Ireland to explore real alternatives to university, underscoring a powerful shift in how young people view their future. The event helps to close the information gap around apprenticeships, skills training and
vocational opportunities, many of which are in high demand across industries such as construction and engineering. Through live demonstrations, competitions, industry talks, immersive experiences and direct engagement with employers, the three-day event equips students, educators and parents with the knowledge they need to confidently consider careers through apprenticeships, further education and training and technical professions. WorldSkills Ireland is a government and industry initiative, with partners including SISK, the Construction Industry Federation and ESB Networks. www.worldskillsireland.ie
Ewan Forsythe.
ECA AND UNITE SECURE 14% WAGE HIKE FOR THOUSANDS OF ELECTRICIANS
Thousands of electricians across GB and Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a 14% pay rise over three years agreed by Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and Unite the Union. The Joint Industry Board (JIB) collective agreement, which will benefit nearly 10,000 electricians employed by around 550
employers, includes a six-month lead in time for employers. From January 2026, workers will receive a 3.95% rise, followed by a 4.6% rise in 2027 and 4.85% rise in 2028. Apprentices will receive a 2% rise in 2027 and 3% rise in 2028, with the deal also providing improvements to sick pay. Unite is also beginning discussions with ECA on improving terms and conditions for pensions and travel expenditure. Jason Poulter, Unite National Officer for construction, said, “The increase of 14% over the next three years was hard won by our union through Unite’s lay member negotiators. Alongside the increase to electrical apprenticeship pay, this represents an excellent result only achievable by solid union organisation and workers coming together to ensure their skills are properly valued.” www.eca.co.uk/www.unitetheunion.org
electex | dublin25 - register to attend www.bepex.ie
IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 9
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