The ‘Part P’ scheme had been implemented to ensure electricians working in people’s homes were competent to do so. Whilst this was a good idea, it was subject to abuse. Training providers were quick to respond to the lack of qualifications by offering short courses. However, the content of the short courses has not covered enough to ensure that all work undertaken is carried out safely and to a universal, cross industry standard. Whilst this isn’t the fault of the people who wanted to gain access to the scheme, it is well documented in the industry that their lack of experience has led to some substandard or even dangerous work being carried out.
The recent changes will require installers working in the domestic sector to have a higher level of qualification and be able to submit evidence to prove experience.
There are, as always, anomalies to new requirements, such as kitchen fitters, plumbers or other people in the construction industry that only require small amounts of electrical work doing and are competent to carry out such work. Unfortunately, they cannot ‘sign off’ their work if they don’t meet the qualification and experience standards. This will leave them in a position where they either do the work without signing it off, gain the qualifications and experience or get a registered electrician to do the work. This will, of course, lead to frustrations for some trades, having to wait for electricians already swamped by an ever-increasing demand.
The best route to becoming an electrician is the 5-step
route we offer here at Total Skills.
- The initial phase of training is through the City
& Guilds 2365 Level 2 diploma. This will give you the grounding to becoming
an electrician safely.
- Your second phase is through the City & Guilds
2365 Level 3 diploma. This will give you the more advanced skills you will need
in your journey to competency.
- Phase three combines the theory and skills you
have learnt in steps 1&2 in a practical, work-based setting. You will
submit evidence to prove your competence and ability to complete work for you
to gain your NVQ 2357-44 in Electrical Installations.
- Phase four again relies upon gaining further
experience to allow you to secure the City & Guilds 18th edition
Wiring Regulations.
- The last phase is the City & Guilds 2391-52
Initial & Periodic Inspection and Testing course, which is the last step to
gaining your full ECS Gold Card.
With your ECS Gold Card you will be a fully qualified and
registered electrician who is able to work on all installations - commercial
and industrial. However, to work on domestic you will still have to sign up
with one of the competent persons schemes such as NAPIT and the NICEIC.
We at Total Skills welcome the recent changes. Being a City &
Guilds and LCL awards accredited centre, we can help you gain the qualifications
for you to enter an industry that is rapidly expanding in a multitude of areas
and directions. It will be interesting to see how the industry implements and
responds to the recent changes and how it effects the already increasing demand
for electricians in the UK. We hope we can help you become a part of our
industry.
