NVQ Level 3 Electrical

The Final Step to Your Gold Card

The City & Guilds 2357 NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical Services is the workplace-based qualification that proves your practical competence as an electrician. Combined with your Level 3 Diploma (2365) and 18th Edition (2382), the NVQ completes the academic requirements for the AM2 assessment and your JIB Installation Electrician Gold Card.

Unlike classroom courses, the NVQ is assessed entirely in your workplace. There are no exams, no classroom attendance, and no fixed schedule. Your dedicated assessor carries out one on-site visit to observe your work and review your evidence portfolio — fitting around your working day, not disrupting it.

Who Is This Course For?

• Electricians working towards their Gold Card — If you’ve completed the 2365 Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas and hold the 18th Edition, the NVQ is your next step. It’s the practical competence qualification that completes your pathway to fully qualified status.

• Career changers now working in electrical — Many of our NVQ candidates started their electrician training with us at Level 2 and have progressed through the qualification pathway. If you’re now working under supervision and gaining site experience, you’re ready for the NVQ.

• Experienced workers formalising their competence — If you’ve been working in electrical but only hold the knowledge qualifications, the NVQ provides the practical evidence that employers and the JIB require.

• Employer-funded candidates — Many electrical contractors put their trainees through the NVQ once they’re competent on-site. We work with employers across the UK to schedule assessments flexibly.

How It Works — No Classroom, No Exams

The NVQ is entirely workplace-based. Here’s the process:

• 1. Enrolment and Planning — We assign you a dedicated assessor and create an assessment plan based on the type of electrical work you do day-to-day

• 2. Evidence Collection — You build a portfolio of evidence using our online platform — photographs of your work, completed certificates, risk assessments, and method statements

• 3. Workplace Observation — Your assessor carries out one on-site visit to observe you carrying out electrical installation tasks, testing, and inspection work

• 4. Professional Discussion — Your assessor conducts structured discussions to confirm your underpinning knowledge of the work you’ve demonstrated

• 5. Completion — Once all units are signed off, your NVQ certificate is issued and you can book your AM2 assessment

Knowledge Unit Exemptions

If you’ve completed the City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas, you are exempt from all knowledge units. You only need to complete the performance (practical) units — significantly reducing the time and evidence required. This is the fastest route to your NVQ for diploma holders.

Workplace Requirements

You’ll need access to a workplace where you can demonstrate competence across a range of electrical installation tasks, including:

• At least 3 different wiring system types (e.g. steel conduit, trunking, SWA cable)

• Various installation environments (domestic, commercial, or industrial)

• Testing, inspection, and verification work

• Fault diagnosis and rectification

Most candidates complete the NVQ while working as a trainee or improver for an electrical contractor. If you’re not yet working in the trade, speak to us about options — we can advise on finding suitable work placements.

Your JIB Gold Card Pathway

The Gold Card is the industry standard for qualified electricians in the UK. Here’s what you need:

• City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 Diploma ✔

• City & Guilds 2365 Level 3 Diploma ✔

• 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (2382) ✔

• City & Guilds 2357 NVQ Level 3 ✔ (this course)

• AM2 Practical Assessment — the final test

With your Gold Card, you can register with competent person schemes like NICEIC or NAPIT, allowing you to self-certify your own work under Part P Building Regulations. Qualified electricians with Gold Card status typically earn £35,000–£50,000+ per year, with self-employed electricians often earning significantly more.

Online Portfolio Platform

All evidence is uploaded and managed through our online portfolio system. Photograph your work, upload certificates and documentation, and track your progress against each unit. Your assessor reviews evidence between visits, so workplace observations are focused and efficient.

Unlike the 2365 Diplomas which are knowledge-based with exams, the NVQ is assessed entirely through on-site evidence and assessor observation — no exams, no classroom attendance. Diploma holders are exempt from all knowledge units, reducing completion time to 3–6 months. The NVQ is accepted as evidence of practical competence by NICEIC, NAPIT, and ELECSA for competent person scheme registration.