William ‘Billy’ Spiers (4 June 1946–14 April 2026)

The passing of Billy Spiers marks the loss of a figure whose decades of service helped shape the industrial landscape that today's electricians often take for granted. His work on the JIB National Board, alongside his roles within Unite and the former Amicus Executive Council, contributed to the framework of pay grading, working conditions and dignity at work that continues to underpin the electrotechnical industry. For qualified electricians and those just entering the trade, the JIB grading system directly influences pay rates, recognised skill levels and the wider terms under which electrical work is carried out across the UK. Understanding who built and maintained these structures offers valuable context for anyone navigating their career in the sector. For trainees in particular, Spiers's legacy is a reminder that qualifications are about more than technical competence. The JIB grading card, which recognises the level of qualification an electrician has achieved, is tied closely to the industrial standards that people like Spiers spent their working lives defending. Progressing from a Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma through to an NVQ and the AM2 assessment is not simply a matter of ticking boxes; it is the route to formal recognition within a system designed to ensure fair treatment, appropriate pay and safe standards of work. The dignity-at-work principles that Spiers championed are, in practical terms, the reason many electricians enjoy the protections and recognition they do. His death is an appropriate moment for the industry to reflect on the value of collective representation and the ongoing importance of maintaining high standards, both technical and ethical. Aspiring electricians would do well to appreciate that the pathways they follow, from apprenticeship to full qualification, exist within a professional structure that has been carefully negotiated and defended over many years. Honouring that legacy means committing to proper training, achieving recognised qualifications and upholding the standards that people like Billy Spiers worked so hard to establish.