CITY & GUILDS ELECTRICAL

How to Become an Electrician in the UK

If you’re interested in becoming a qualified electrician in the UK, there are no quick shortcuts. However, this page aims to simplify the process by providing information on industry-recognised routes and City & Guilds electrical qualifications. Whether you’re a new entrant or an experienced worker, these qualifications can help you achieve your goal of becoming a qualified electrician.

*Routes differ in Scotland and NI. More info is available on this page.

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Apprenticeship Route

An electrical apprenticeship is funded and allows you to earn while you learn. You will not be expected to pay anything towards your electrical training. You will gain skills via a combination of on-the-job learning in your workplace and other learning supported by a college or training provider.
Key Information

Key Information

To become an electrical apprentice, you will need to be employed in the electrical industry and be carrying out a suitable range of work to complete your portfolio of evidence. There are no upper-age limits to becoming an apprentice; it is never too late to learn!

Apprenticeship Key Facts:
  • You must be employed before you can enrol on an apprenticeship.
  • The apprenticeship training programme typically takes around 4 years to complete.
  • You do not pay for your training and will earn while you learn.

What We Offer

We offer two apprenticeships:

Did You Know?

If you have already started your electrical training, you can swap to one of our apprenticeships at any point. For example, if you have completed a Level 3 Diploma and just need to complete NVQ Level 3, you can complete it as a funded apprentice.

Speak with our Apprenticeship Team to find out more

Diploma Route

The City & Guilds 2365 Diploma qualifications are designed for individuals who want to learn, develop, and practice the skills necessary for employment or career progression in the electrotechnology sector. These qualifications serve as a foundation for further progression toward becoming a fully qualified electrician.

This route is particularly popular with adult learners and career changers who are eager to invest in their own training.

You can start this route without employment in the industry to kick start your training, however, to complete this route fully and become a qualified electrician, you will need to be working in the industry.

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Diploma Route

Steps to completing the Diploma Route

The City and Guilds 2365 Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas allow you to gain fundamental knowledge and skills before you join the industry to complete your training and become a qualified electrician. When you have completed your Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma, the next step is to complete the NVQ and AM2 assessments. To do this you must be working in the electrical industry. On completion of your AM2 assessment of competence you will be a qualified electrician and will be able to apply for an ECS Gold Card as an Installation or Maintenance Electrician.
01
Your journey starts here
  • Domestic Installation Workshop
  • Commercial/Industrial Installation Workshops.
  • Health and Safety
  • Principles of Electrical Science
  • Electrotech Theory
  • Fundamental Inspection & Testing Workshop
Diploma Level 2
Diploma level 2
02
Continue your Diploma
  • Electrical Systems Design
  • Environmental Technologies
  • Principles of Electrical Science
  • Career Awareness
  • Inspection & Testing Workshop
  • Fault Finding Workshop
Diploma Level 3
Diploma Level 3
03
Gain employment and complete your NVQ
  • Witness testimony
  • Reflective accounts
  • Photographic evidence
  • Direct observation
NVQ Level 3 Portfolio
NVQ Level 3
04
Complete the AM2 assessment of competence
  • AM2 Assessment of Competence completed at an independent NET centre

Complete your Diploma, NVQ and AM2 to become a qualified electrician, eligible for an ECS Gold Card.

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Experienced Worker Assessment

The Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) is the assessment process to recognise occupational competence for people who have been working in the electrical industry for a number of years, but haven’t been able to complete an apprenticeship or achieve an equivalent, recognised Level 3 vocational qualification.Achievement of this Experienced Worker Assessment and its end assessment of competence—the AM2E(D)—meets the criteria for an ECS gold card application. It’s also recognised in the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification as equivalent to an industry apprenticeship.
Installation & Maintenance Electrician EWA

Who is this assessment for?

The Installation and Maintenance EWA is an assessment process against the industry standard – it is not a shortcut to qualified status. To be eligible for the assessment you should have:

  • A minimum of 5 years experience in the electrical industry working across the range of electrical activities set out in the Skills Scan.
  • At least a Level 2 electrical qualification
TO COMPLETE YOU WILL NEED TO
  • Complete a Skills Scan via an initial assessment with a member of our team.
  • Have an up-to-date Wiring Regulations qualification
  • Have an Initial Verification Inspection and Testing Qualification such as the C&G 2391-52
  • Complete the EWA Level 3 performance units

Achievement of the Installation & Maintenance Electrician EWA and its assessment of competence—the AM2E—meets the criteria for an ECS Installation or Maintenance Electrician gold card application. It will be recognised in the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification as equivalent to the Installation/Maintenance Electrician apprenticeship.

Who is this assessment for?

The Installation and Maintenance EWA is an assessment process against the industry standard – it is not a shortcut to qualified status. To be eligible for the assessment you should have:

  • A minimum of 3 years experience in the electrical industry working across the range of electrical activities set out in the Skills Scan.
  • At least a Level 2 electrical qualification
TO COMPLETE YOU WILL NEED TO
  • Complete a Skills Scan via an initial assessment with a member of our team.
  • Have an up-to-date Wiring Regulations qualification
  • Have an Initial Verification Inspection and Testing Qualification such as the C&G 2391-52
  • Complete the EWA Level 3 performance units

Achievement of the Installation & Maintenance Electrician EWA and its assessment of competence—the AM2ED—meets the criteria for an ECS  Domestic Electrician gold card application. It will be recognised in the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification as equivalent to the Domestic Electrician apprenticeship.

Full-Time Education 

If you are under the age of 19 and don’t have suitable employment for an apprenticeship, this classroom-based route will provide you with technical knowledge and some practical skills that you can gain at a college or training centre, with the potential for work experience or contact with employers. You’ll still need to get practical experience in the workplace before you can become a qualified electrician. 

Generally, students aged 14-19 can receive funding for this route. If you are under 19 and are interested in this full-time route, you can contact your local college for more information. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Diploma Programme or Apprenticeship?

Firstly, let us point out, the knowledge and skills learned in both programmes are fundamentally the same. The differences between the two programmes are how they are delivered; the big difference is employment. To do an apprenticeship, you need a job before you can begin. However, you can start our Diploma Route qualifications without a job. The Diploma route is flexible, as it allows you to complete your training at your own pace. You will need to be working to complete the NVQ and AM2.

Our Diploma Route programme front-loads the technical training and you will complete your on-site assessments (portfolio) during your Level 3 NVQ when you are working and gaining experience, whereas an apprenticeship combines work experience with technical training and you will complete your on-site assessments as you progress.

 

There are no fast-track routes to becoming an electrician. There are ‘domestic installer’ schemes available from competent person schemes such as NICEIC and NAPIT, however, these are options for qualified electricians.

Many electricians choose to specialise in domestic installations only. If this is your preferred option and you have suitable employment you may wish to consider our Domestic Electrician Apprenticeship or domestic EWA, subject to eligibility.

Generally, an apprenticeship takes around 3-4 years. If you undertake the Diploma & NVQ route, the timescales can vary, but most people complete it in 2-3 years.

Electricians are the highest earners of all the trades. On average, an experienced electrician earns around £42,000 p/a.

Source: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/electrician

There are many excellent reasons to become an electrician and join this ever-growing industry. Once you have your core skills and qualifications, there are so many areas to move into. It is an exciting and financially rewarding industry.

With experience, you could:

You can start your electrical training on our Diploma route, however, you will need to be employed to complete your training.

There are many areas you may wish to diversify into once you become an electrician including domestic, commercial and industrial. You may consider working with green technologies such as EV charging, solar PV, battery storage, smart homes, wind or heat pumps. You could also consider Periodic Inspection & Testing, electrical design or HVAC. The possibilities are endless!

You can start self-funding your training on our Diploma route. You will need suitable employment in the electrical industry to complete your NVQ and AM2.

If you find suitable employment at any point, you may wish to transfer to one of our funded apprenticeships to complete your training. For more information visit our apprenticeship page.

It’s best to reach out to reputable electrical contractors and employers, such as housing associations or builders.

When you enrol on one of our courses, you will have access to a job board, where you can find job notifications from the many employers we work with.

An NVQ is not a training programme, it is an assessment framework that assesses your skills in the workplace. When you have completed your portfolio, there is one last assessment known as an AM2 assessment, which is your final assessment of competency. The time taken to complete an NVQ can vary, but it can be completed much quicker if you have a lot of variety in your job.

Great news! You can now consider one of our bolt-on courses including:

To name just a few. Please browse our website for more information, or get in touch.

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