Become a Qualified
Electrician

The full City & Guilds route to ECS Gold Card — 2365 Level 2, Level 3, NVQ and AM2 — takes about 18–24 months end-to-end. The Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas run across 6–10 months, and your NVQ Level 3 workplace evidence builds in parallel with the Level 3 Diploma while you work on-site, so the two phases overlap rather than stack. If you already have 5+ years of electrical experience, the Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) route reaches Gold Card in 6–12 months. A traditional apprenticeship takes 3–4 years; part-time evening college takes 3–4 years spread over 2 evenings per week.

Yes. Our accelerated City & Guilds courses let you qualify without a traditional 4-year apprenticeship. You complete the same nationally recognised qualifications — 2365 Diploma, 2391 Inspection & Testing, 18th Edition, AM2 — through intensive, hands-on training. Many of our learners are career changers in their 30s and 40s.

Yes. Traditional apprenticeships strongly prefer learners under 24 due to funding bands, but Total Skills and evening colleges are open to all ages 18 and over. The majority of our learners are career changers in their 30s and 40s retraining into the electrical trade.

Based on ONS ASHE 2025 and JIB 2025–26 data: newly qualified employed electricians typically earn £32,000–£46,000 (median £38,000). Self-employed electricians with an established customer base earn £48,000–£72,000 (median £58,000), and specialists in EV charging, solar PV, or inspection & testing can reach £65,000–£95,000. Use our earnings calculator to see your personal uplift: https://www.totalskills.co.uk/earnings-calculator

A traditional apprenticeship has no upfront training cost but pays a reduced apprentice wage (around £7 per hour) for 3–4 years. Evening college costs £3,000–£5,000 over 3 years. Total Skills is £4,650 total for the Level 2 & 3 Diploma package, with interest-free monthly payment plans and ELCAS funding for Armed Forces personnel (up to 80% covered).

No prior electrical experience or formal qualifications are required to start our Level 2 courses. Basic numeracy and literacy are helpful, but we welcome complete beginners. Our tutors will support you from the very first day.

Yes. We offer interest-free monthly payment plans on all courses, letting you spread the cost over 3–12 months. We also accept full upfront payment, employer-sponsored payments, and ELCAS funding for serving and ex-military personnel.

Yes. Total Skills (Level 2 + Level 3 + NVQ + AM2), a traditional apprenticeship, and evening college all lead to the same ECS Installation Electrician Gold Card — the only differences are time, scheduling, and upfront cost.

Absolutely. We offer weekend sessions designed for people working full-time, plus hybrid learning so theory is online at your own pace. Many of our learners complete their training around existing jobs, gradually transitioning into their new career.

ELCAS funding is available for serving and ex-military personnel, covering up to 80% of the course fee (up to £2,000 per qualification). The City & Guilds Foundation also offers bursaries that eligible learners can apply for directly. Contact us to discuss which funding options apply to your situation.

Our fully-equipped training centre is at Office J, Brookfield Road, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 7ER — easily accessible from Derby, Leicester, Sheffield, Birmingham, and Leeds. Free on-site parking, 10 minutes from Nottingham station, direct M1 access (Junction 26).