JOINT INDUSTRY BOARD - JIB
The principal objects of the Board are to regulate relations between employers and employees engaged in the industry in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to provide benefits for persons engaged in the industry in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to stimulate and further the progress of the industry, and in addition and in the public interest to regulate and control employment, the level of skill and proficiency, health and safety competence, wages and welfare benefits.

Membership of the Board consists of representatives of SNIPEF and Unite the Union. The main functions are the maintenance of the National Working Rules, the registration of apprentices, grading and registration of employees, the resolution of disputes and the operation of various industry schemes.

new working rules available

The JIB have issued a new set of industry Working Rules. The Rules contain information on:

Scheme of Grading Definitions and Conditions

Annual and Public Holidays with Pay Scheme

Industry Sick Pay Scheme

National Working Rules

Apprentice Training Scheme.

Copies are available from the JIB offices -  0131 225 2255 or by downloading and completing the order form opposite.

PLUMBING ORGANISATION ISSUES WARNING OVER “FAST TRACK” TRAINING

In recent years there has been a massive increase in what are known as 'fast track' training providers which tempt people to enrol on expensive short courses purportedly to learn all there is to know about plumbing. In most cases such courses do not lead to the achievement of a Level 3 SVQ which is the minimum qualification required by the industry in Scotland.

 SNIPEF Director Robert Burgon issued the following warning to those contemplating enrolling on a “Fast Track” course. “Plumbing and heating is a highly advanced and technologically challenging occupation. In Scotland the industry normally needs to recruit approximately 400 – 500 new apprentices each year to meet industry demands. These apprentices learn their trade through achievement of a SVQ level 3 qualification and also through the skills and experience they gain during their apprenticeship period.”

Robert Burgon added. “Traditional apprenticeships which last for 4 years and are delivered in employment with part-time attendance at one of Scotland's Colleges of Further Education, are still the method by which the industry recruits the majority of new plumbers. Anyone reading articles or adverts claiming that the industry needs thousands of new recruits needs to be very wary indeed.   Behind such claims are often 'fast track' training providers whose main aim is to sell places on inappropriate training courses. In fact the industry in Scotland has been recruiting sufficient new apprentices  to meet anticipated future demand ”. 

Robert Burgon added this warning to customers. “Unfortunately un-regulated trainers will often turn out “cowboy” plumbers, with all the risks to public health that entails. These individuals also have little experience in dealing with challenging plumbing or heating tasks. Make sure that when you use a plumber you ask to see their Industry Registration card- this will confirm if they have completed a proper plumbing apprenticeship”.

UK REGISTRATION SCHEME LAUNCHED

With effect from 1 July 2008 the Joint Industry Boards for the Plumbing Industry in England & Wales (JIB-PMES) and for Scotland & Northern Ireland (SNIJIB) have established a new joint organisation, called the UK Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical Engineering Services Registration Scheme. The new scheme brings together the two separate Registration and Grading Schemes which both Joint Industry Boards have operated since the early 1970s.

The new Joint Scheme continues to be affiliated to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).

The objects of the new Plumbing UK Registration Scheme are to:

• Standardise the criteria for the issue of Plumbing JIB/CSCS Registrations Cards in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Have a common design and criteria for the issue of  Registration Cards by the two Plumbing JIBs with mutual recognition.
• Support the introduction by CSCS of a SMART Card to reduce fraud and protect identity.