On Monday 13 July, Andy Reakes, JIB Acting CEO, attended a parliamentary discussion on the UK energy transition hosted by Henry Tufnell MP. This continues our engagement with parliamentarians and MPs to promote the JIB and role of collective agreements in national infrastructure projects.
Scale of investment
The government has committed to £63 billion of capital funding into clean energy, climate and nature. Investments through public finance institutions include a £1 billion Great British Energy clean energy supply chain fund which aims to catalyse greater private investment. Since July 2024, £50 billion of private investment into clean energy has been announced.
As the UK transitions to a green economy, investment in sustainable energy must scale up. Achieving the electrification of new and existing infrastructure must not come at the expense of competency standards and safety. The upskilling of qualified electricians into low carbon activities such as EV charging, battery storage, and solar PV is vital.
The JIB Collective Agreement ensures a verified, competent workforce as well as fair work, welfare and high-quality employment. All crucial elements for delivering prosperity within a safer, more sustainable industry. The government and wider industry could capitalise on the JIB models success as a delivery framework for standards, competence and safety by embedding collective agreements in other sectors.
