• • • NEWS • • •
76% of members say JIB membership is important to them T
he Joint Industry Board (JIB) has revealed the results of its 2021 Membership Survey. The
survey was sent out to members in October last year with 152 individuals responding across 138 organisations. Seventy-six per cent of members said JIB
membership was important to them, while setting the standards for employment, welfare, grading and apprentice training was once again ranked as the JIB’s top priority among members. Employment law, guidance, advice and information was ranked as the top benefit of JIB membership. The survey also asked what members would like to see more of as part of their membership.
Suggested improvements included holding more regional events and opportunities for CPD. In response to suggestions in the 2020
Membership Survey the JIB led a campaign to promote the benefits of Direct Employment
Analog Devices invests €100 Million in Europe, with ADI Catalyst launch
A
nalog Devices has announced it will invest €100 million (£84m) over the next three years in ADI Catalyst, a 100,000sq
ft custom-built facility for innovation and collaboration located at its campus in the Raheen Business Park in Limerick, Ireland. This latest phase of expansion will also see the creation of
250 new jobs in the Irish market by 2025 as a reflection of ADI’s continued commitment to expansion in Europe. ADI Catalyst is a state-of-the-art collaboration accelerator
where ecosystems of customers, business partners, and suppliers engage with ADI to rapidly develop industry-leading solutions. Utilising technologies in simulated environments and real-
world end applications accelerates the development and adoption of these innovative solutions. The newly created jobs at ADI Catalyst will primarily focus on the development of software- enabled solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) innovations in areas such as Industry 4.0, sustainable energy, automotive electrification, and next generation connectivity. Vincent Roche, president and chief executive of Analog
Devices, said: “ADI Catalyst is our latest investment in the future of innovation, not just in Ireland or Europe, but globally. “It provides the ideal environment for experts in their fields to
connect, collaborate, test, and pilot new technologies, business models, and ecosystems. Opening ADI Catalyst enables us to share ideas, capabilities, and resources with teams in Europe, and around the world, for the greater good.” The Catalyst project is supported by the Irish Government
through IDA Ireland. Commenting on ADI’s latest investment, An Taoiseach
Micheál Martin TD said, “ADI’s ongoing commitment to Ireland, as witnessed over many decades, is to be celebrated today as we mark yet another significant milestone. In a world where technology continues to permeate every facet of our lives, continued investment in today’s modern digital economy has never been more important. ADI Catalyst further reinforces Limerick and Ireland’s position as both a manufacturing hub for semiconductors and a centre of excellence for innovation in Europe.”
6 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MARCH 2022
through press releases, newsletters and social media as well as hosting a webinar which has been viewed by over 100 people. A new CPD digital system was also launched,
which allows all ECS card holders to record their CPD directly into their online records. Roger Horne, JIB’s head of membership, said:
“The annual Membership Survey is an important source of information for the JIB to see what we are doing well and what we could be doing better. “We analyse the results carefully and we always
try to take action on the feedback received and I would like to thank everybody who gave up their time to take part in the survey.”
Apprentice recruitment up, but skilled electricians still in short supply
T
he latest sector-wide Building Engineering
Business Survey shows that while order books continue to grow following the pandemic, a lack of skilled electrical personnel is hurting electrotechnical contracting businesses. As a result, businesses seem to be hiring more apprentices than ever. Just under half (47%) of
respondents to the quarterly survey, which includes data from industry trade bodies ECA, BESA, SELECT and SNIPEF, said that ‘attracting the right calibre of people to the business’ was their biggest worry. Forty-one per cent said their top concern this quarter was to ‘retain existing staff’. However, apprentice employment rates
show signs of improvement, with 61% of respondents saying they expect to employ the same number or more apprentices in Q1 2022 than in Q4 2021. Total employment has also increased –
83% of survey respondents said they expected to hire the same number or more direct employees in Q1 2022 compared to Q4 2021. Andrew Eldred, ECA director of
workforce and public affairs said: “We have seen record levels of apprentice recruitment this year so far. While skilled personnel might still be in short supply, it is promising to see so many firms picking up the baton.
“We still have some way to go to reach
the apprentice recruitment levels of our counterparts in Europe, but the right course is being set for the UK to develop a flexible and competent electrical workforce in sufficient numbers to meet growing demand and ultimately help deliver Net Zero on time.” Alan Wilson, managing director of
SELECT, said that the skills shortage is an ongoing issue that SELECT and its partner organisations – the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) – are committed to tackling. He said “One positive sign is the
number of new electrical apprentices and adult trainees taken on in Scotland in 2021. More than 800 new learners enrolled on the Electrical Apprenticeship and Adult Trainee Programmes – the highest figures for 12 years. This shows that people recognise that the future is electric and want to be part of a sector that will play a key part in all our lives.”
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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