Adult Electrician (Retraining routes)
Starting out
So, you want to be an electrician and you aren't currently working in the trade? Perhaps you have had enough of your current job and want to gain a trade? The information below should be of some use.
Since the introduction of the NVQ, it has always been a requirement for an electrician to hold vocational proof of competence. For many adults the route to becoming a fully qualified electrician(1) involved studying the C&G2330 at a college and getting work experience to complete the NVQ aspect. Now with the new C&G2357, we have an alternative route to qualifications that may not be quite as straightforward or as easy but nevertheless will remain the only option as of 2012.
Option 1 - The C&G2357 Route
With the 2357 structure being unitised in line with the QCF qualification list, you can study them separately and claim them as individual awards. With this is mind, you can complete the following units without having direct employment within the electrical industry:
- 2357-301 Health and Safety legislation, practices and procedures
- 2357-302 Environmental legislation, working practices and principles
- 2357-303 Practices and procedures for overseeing and organising the work environment
- 2357-304 Planning and selection for the installation of electrotechnical equipment and systems
- 2357-305 Preparation and installation of wiring systems and electrotechnical equipment
- 2357-306 Termination and connection of conductors, cables and cords in electrical systems
- 2357-307 Inspection, testing, commissioning and certification
- 2357-308 Diagnosing and correcting electrical fault
- 2357-309 Electrical principles
Once you have completed all of the units above at a college of training provider, you can either gain employment or significant work experience to complete the following units:
- 2357-311 Health and Safety legislation and working practices
- 2357-312 Environmental legislation, practices and the principles of environmental technology systems
- 2357-313 Overseeing and organising the work environment
- 2357-315 Planning, preparing and installing Mandatory wiring systems and associated equipment
- 2357-316 Terminating and connecting conductors, cables and flexible cords
- 2357-317 Inspecting, testing, commissioning and certifying electrotechnical systems
- 2357-318 Diagnosing and correcting electrical faults
- 2357-399 Electrotechnical Occupational Competence (AM2)
Once these units are complete, you can then apply to the JIB for your initial Gold Card(2).
Option 2 - The C&G2330/C&G2356 Route
Although initially given that the qualification would be closed as of April 2011, the qualification had a reprieve from the Secretary of State himself and continues to be offered by different providers. With this is mind, you can complete the following units:
Once you have the above, you can then seek gainful employment or significant work experience and complete the following:
Once you have the necessary qualifications, you can then apply to the JIB for an ECS Gold Card(2).
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1. For the purpose of this site, a fully qualified electrician is considered to hold the ECS Gold card issued by the JIB. We understand there is no legal definition of qualified as of yet, but ascribe to the notion that an electrician holding the Gold card has sufficient competence and qualifications to be classed as an electrician.
2. Please contact the JIB direct about a grading card. They may ask for or require proof of training.
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