How do I become an electrician is a question we are often asked here at PTT. The answer to that question is not always straight forward as this blog will try to explain.
Which qualifications you require will depend on your personal circumstances and objectives. For example, what type of electrical work you intend to do, what existing experience and qualifications you may already have, if your employer requires specific qualifications and if it’s your, or your employer’s, intention to join one of the recognised competent person schemes offered by bodies such as the NICEIC, ECA and NAPIT.
For many years, the construction and building sector has stipulated electricians be registered with a ‘competent person scheme’ in order that they may be recognised as a bona fide electrician/electrical contractor. More often than not, regulations, contracts, companies, organisations etc will stipulate that any electrical work is only to be carried out by ‘registered’ electricians or contractors. For this reason, most individuals (sole traders), businesses or enterprises will register with such schemes in order that they be recognised formally as electricians.
Until recently, entry requirements to membership of such schemes have been somewhat vague and variable depending on which scheme operator you apply to. This was particularly the case with electrical work in dwellings whereby, and typically, a qualification in the wiring regulations, an inspection and testing qualification and evidence of two electrical installations to the requisite standard would be deemed sufficient to gain membership.
This route to membership has always been a bone of contention in the industry as it encouraged individuals to take short courses rather than gaining more extensive training and experience such as can be gained through an apprenticeship or a combination of qualifications and extended work experience.
To raise the bar and for a push for greater competence levels in the construction and building services sector, the sector has recently updated a document which defines the assessment criteria (qualifications) required to be considered eligible for membership of a competent person scheme.
The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) published by the institute of Engineering and Technology (the IET) is intended for use by Certification and Registration Bodies undertaking the Assessment of Enterprises (which includes sole traders) carrying out Electrotechnical work.
The EAS has been drawn up by bodies representing the electrotechnical industry and consumer safety interests in order to enhance the standard of safety of Electrotechnical work.
Effective from the 1st September 2021, the Specification sets out the minimum requirements to be met by an Enterprise in order to be recognized by a Certification or Registration Body as technically competent to undertake the design, construction, maintenance, verification and/or inspection and testing of one or more of the work categories listed below.
The requirements of the EAS have, as of 1st September 2021, been adopted by the NICEIC and the ECA. Therefore, to gain membership an enterprise must meet the assessment requirements defined in the EAS.
The type of electrical work that electricians do has been categorized in the EAS document as follows:
A1 Electrical installations up to and including 1000V AC or 1500V DC
A1.1 Dwellings covered by BS 7671 (as amended)
A1.2 Other than dwellings covered by BS 7671 (as amended)
A1.3 Temporary electrical systems covered by BS 7909 (as amended):
A1.4 Dwellings covered by BS 7671 (as amended) and undertaken as a necessary adjunct to or arising out of other work in England & Wales
A2 Periodic inspection and testing:
A2.1 Dwellings
A2.2 Other than dwellings
For these categories the scheme defines the ‘REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFIED SUPERVISORS AND PERSONS CARRYING OUT ELECTRICAL INSPECTION AND TESTING’. It sets out the minimum requirements in terms of adequate education, training and practical skills required when:
- a) Applying to be a Qualified Supervisor through a Certification or Registration Body.
- b) Applying as an individual to undertake Periodic Inspection and Testing for an Enterprise through a Registration or Certification Body.
A Qualified Supervisor (QS) is defined as a Competent Person who meets the requirements of the EAS and with specific responsibility on a day-to-day basis for the safety, technical standard and quality of Electrotechnical work. The QS can be a person responsible for a group of electricians within an enterprise or acting as an individual operating as a sole trader.
Table 4A of the EAS defines the application routes for the different work categories. Extracts of these routes and tables are summarised below:
Here at PTT to aid those that are not able to undertake an apprenticeship we will be offering the following training and qualifications to enable the possibility of registration via Route 1 and 3 of table 4B or route 3 of table 4C. In addition, we already offer courses and qualifications in the wiring regulations, initial verification and periodic inspection.
So, in summary, to enable those wishing to be eligible for registration with a competent person scheme as a qualified supervisor PTT can offer the following courses/qualifications:
- Level 3 Certificate in installing, Testing and Ensuring Compliance of Electrical Installations in Dwellings
- Mature Candidate assessment via the Recognition of Prior Experience and Learning (RPEL).
- Level 3 Award in the requirements for Electrical Installations: BS7671 (as amended).
- Level 3 Award in the initial Verification of Electrical Installations
- Level 3 Award in the Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations.
For further details of these course follow the links to the PTT course pages.
NOTE: That PTT always recommends that before undertaking these qualifications you should speak to one of the relevant registration bodies beforehand to ensure you are taking the correct route to achieve your career aims and objectives.
The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) can be downloaded from here… Electrotechnical Assessment Specification – Electrical (theiet.org)How do I become an electrician
