Entry requirements
The traditional route is via an apprenticeship scheme. These usually take four
years to complete and must be finished before the age of 25, except in Wales
where a version for those over 25 is available.
If you are not eligible for an apprenticeship scheme
and not working within the industry you can take the City & Guilds
2382 Electrical Regulations (17th Edition) certificate [see PTT Course
list] and the City & Guilds
2391 Inspection and Testing certificate. These courses should be supplemented
by the City & Guilds Electro-technical Technology 2330 at levels 2 and
3 taken at local training centres or technical colleges.
The 2382 and 2391 certificates cover the theoretical knowledge for the NVQs
together with some practical skills. They do not demonstrate competence within
the job itself. Further workbased experience coupled with
part-time training for NVQ level 3 is required to become fully qualified. It is advisable to seek
employment with an electrical firm as soon as possible after starting the technical
certificates in order to complete the NVQ
NVQ
Once employed in the industry (England and Wales) and
depending upon your role, you can work towards one of three NCQs at level 3:
- Electro-technical Services, which has four options:
- Electrical Installation
- Electrical Maintenance
- Installing Instrumentation and associated equipment
- Installing highway electrical systems
- Electrical Panel Building
- Electrical Machine Rewind and Repair
Northern Ireland and Scotland
There are no foundation modern
apprenticeships. Trainees are offered the same level 3 qualifications options
as those available on Advanced Apprenticeships in England and Wales, except
there are no technical certificates offered alongside. It should be noted that
Scottish qualifications are SVQs rather than NVQs.
Part P of the Building Regulations
From January 1st 2005, it is a legal
requirement to certify certain types of electrical work in compliance
with Part P of the Building Regulations. This can be done either by a building
inspector or through self-certification by the contractor.
To self-certify work, electrical contractors and
related tradespersons such as kitchen and bathroom fitters, domestic heating
and plumbing engineers and DIY enthusiasts will need to obtain formal qualifications
and demonstrate competence under the self-certification scheme. As a general
rule City & Guilds 2382
and 2391 [see PTT course list] will fulfil the formal qualification requirements.
Annual Income
Salaries for new entrants start at around £12,000
per year.
A qualified electrician can earn around £20,000 per year.
Experienced electricians with specialist skills can
earn around £25,000
per year.
|
