What Is a Qualified Electrician?

A qualified electrician is an individual who has attained a specific level of skills, knowledge, and behaviours that are equivalent to an industry apprenticeship standard. This can be substantiated through industry-recognised qualifications.

Once an electrician becomes qualified, many choose to obtain an ECS Gold Card. This card serves as a reliable way to demonstrate that an individual meets the criteria for being qualified to industry apprenticeship standards or their equivalent.

The primary pathway to becoming a qualified electrician is through an industry-standard apprenticeship. However, there are alternative routes available. Below, we outline the various recognised routes according to the Electrical Skills Partnership (TESP):

  1. Apprenticeship
  2. Diploma and NVQ Route
  3. Experienced Worker Route
  4. Full-Time Education (Ages 16-19)

 

What We Offer: Electrical Training with City & Guilds

At City & Guilds Training | Electrical, we specialise in delivering high-quality training to help you become a qualified electrician. Here’s an overview of our offerings:

Electrical Apprenticeships

Our electrical apprenticeship program is fully funded, allowing you to earn while you learn. You won’t be expected to pay anything for your electrical training.

Gain essential skills through a combination of on-the-job learning in your workplace and structured lessons at our training centre.

There are no upper-age limits for apprenticeships; it’s never too late to start your journey.

We offer two apprenticeships:

Diploma Route

The City & Guilds 2365 Diploma qualifications are designed for individuals who aspire to work in the electrotechnology sector.

These qualifications serve as a solid foundation for further progression toward becoming a fully qualified electrician.

After completing your Diploma qualifications, you’ll need to find employment in the electrical industry to progress to your NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) and AM2 (Achievement Measurement 2).

The NVQ assesses your practical performance on-site, while the AM2 assesses your skills in a controlled environment.

This route is particularly popular among adult learners and career changers who are committed to investing in their own training.

Qualifications Required for the Diploma Route:

  1. Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations (C&G 2365-02)
  2. Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (C&G 2365-03)

To progress to the NVQ, you must be working in the electrical industry.

  1. NVQ Level 3 in Electro-Technical Technology (C&G 2357)
  2. Assessment of Competence (AM2)

Experienced Worker Assessments (EWA)

The Experienced Worker Assessment recognises occupational competence for individuals who have worked in the electrical industry for several years but haven’t completed an apprenticeship or obtained a recognized Level 3 vocational qualification.

Achieving the Experienced Worker Assessment, including the final competence assessment (AM2E(D)), qualifies applicants for an ECS gold card application. It is also considered equivalent to an industry apprenticeship according to the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification.

We offer the following Experienced Worker qualifications:

To be eligible for the EWA, individuals must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in electrical installations or electrical maintenance (or 3 years’ experience for the domestic route). Additionally, learners should hold at least a level 2 technical qualification and complete a skills scan to verify eligibility.

Full-Time Education (Ages 16-19)

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.

For more information visit our ‘Become an Electrician’ webpage to find out more.