The Joint Industry Board (JIB) has become a sponsor of the annual electrical installation skills competition SkillElectric

Now in its second year, the competition seeks to find the best electrotechnical operatives across the UK through a series of practical tests based on real-life work. Regional heats are already being held to determine who will compete in the UK final, which will take place in October at the Birmingham NEC.

The JIB already works closely with SummitSkills, the organiser of the competition, and is now lending support to SkillElectric to further underpin its commitment to skills development.

Steve Brawley, chief executive of the JIB, said: ‘SkillElectric’s objective of promoting competence and standards fits perfectly with our own aims. Through these competitions we can raise awareness of the high skills levels across the industry and showcase the talent we have in electrical contracting.”

Neil Collishaw, head of skills competitions and awards at SummitSkills, added: “We’re grateful to the JIB for supporting SkillElectric 2009. This event is a great example of how the industry can work in partnership to identify and celebrate its finest operatives. We look forward to a long and successful relationship between our two organisations.”