• • • EDITOR’S INTERVIEW • • •


Driving the skills agenda


Jay Parmar is chief executive of the Joint Industry Board (JIB). He tells Simon King about the organisation and speaks of the importance of upskilling in the sector


J


ay Parmar was appointed chief executive of The Joint Industry Board (JIB) on October 1, 2019, succeeding Steve Brawley following his


retirement after 11 years in the role. Mr Parmar was previously director of policy and


membership at the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA). He is an experienced legal professional and is


skilled in negotiation, member engagement and business planning. In his current role, he is responsible for policy work and campaigns, representing his industry at UK and EU level, and has a consultative role on a number of government-led groups. Mr Parmar said: “Working as a lawyer in the gas


and water industry, I moved to a trade association in the automotive and financial industry; following a series of key promotions, I left the organisation with a stronger voice, excellent engagement and in good financial shape. “At the BVRLA, I was responsible lobbying, and


policy, membership, and our commercial services. The automotive and financial industry was a lively sector awash with forward-thinking and innovation, particularly with the development of electric vehicles and smarter journeys.” Mr Parmar said he was privileged to be asked to


help lead the JIB and its dedicated team just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Joining the sector, I witnessed the


transformational role the industry was undertaking in delivering technology needed for smarter cities, use of AI, robotics and accelerating the UK towards its net zero goals,” he said. “I’ve been blown away by the scale and pace of work being delivered.”


JIB is a unique joint alliance between employers


and employees to help protect, promote, and support good industrial relations and regulate occupational standards. It has 600 members, who directly employ more than 10,000 employees who are highly skilled and trained. Mr Parmar said his three core goals are raising


employment standards, supporting a safe built environment and business growth; JIB’s members have a combined £3 billion turnover, and 80% of the top 20 firms are within its membership. “Our members have diverse models ranging


from installing an electric vehicle charging point to helping to build a nuclear power station,” he said. “JIB members are fully involved with the


electrification of heating, transport right through to digitisation of homes, offices and cities – JIB has a competitive advantage as it has a track record of delivering high quality and safe solutions. “JIB members are seen as a mark of a good


employer and this gives opportunity to be recognised as such in the procurement/tender process.” JIB also own the Electrotechnical Certification


Scheme (ECS), with the UK’s sole personal certification for the electrotechnical sector. “We have over 175,000 cardholders across the


UK which is about 50% of the electrotechnical sector, which proudly showcase their competence and skills,” Mr Parmar said. “This includes areas like fire and security, network infrastructure, digital support and controls. “The ECS scheme is a CSCS partner card


scheme and is positively recognised as a sign of quality across the built environment.”


Already part of the ECS Registered Electrician


Code of Professional Practice, CPD demonstrates the commitment of professionals to enhancing their personal and professional skills throughout their careers. “We have always recognised CPD in the form of


additional qualifications and assessment, but this is far broader,” Mr Parmar said.


Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, there


has been ongoing focus to raise standards, skills and competence to improve building safety. Mr Parmar said: “JIB has been playing a key role


within the industry by helping to raise standards – and ultimately playing a crucial role in supporting and promoting skills and competence. “I am pleased to see that the ECS is seen as an


exemplar for personal certification in identifying competence in the workforce.” The ECS has launched a new continuing


professional development (CPD) digital system, which allows all ECS card holders to record their CPD directly into their online records.


12 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MARCH 2022


electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


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