What Determines you as a Qualified Electrician?
Of course, in the eyes of the law, an individual just needs to be competent in what they do.
However, to meet the updated requirements of the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) scheme for being a qualified electrician, we hope this article will make the changes that little easier to understand.
The first question you need to answer:
When you undertook your level 3 at college (or other training provider), did you have someone come out on site to assess you?
Ultimately, this first question will help determine whether you have achieved the Level 3 (diploma) or the Level 3 NVQ.
The Level 3 NVQ is achieved by apprentices who have been assessed onsite and have a completed portfolio of evidence, successfully signed off by an assessor.
Industry changes now mean that anyone wishing to become a registered Qualified Supervisor (Q.S.) , In accordance with the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) and ultimately go on to apply for their ECS card / Gold card or alike must be qualified to Level 3 NVQ standard including the successful completion of an AM2 / AM2E assessment (as applicable).
For any electricians who have not yet completed the portfolio and are therefore qualified as far as the Level 3 Diploma, you must undertake a further route to gain additional qualification, this being either the:
- 2346 Experienced Worker Route for delegates with 5 or more years’ experience working in the electrical industry.
or
- 2357 Level 3 NVQ in Electrical Installations for delegates with less than 5 years + years’ experience working in the electrical industry. Delegates undertaking this route will also need to undertake an additional Bridging Unit to bridge the gap of onsite practical knowledge.
Furthermore, successful completion of the 18th Edition and the Initial Verification qualification will be required to apply for the AM2E (2346) or AM2 (2357), which, if successful, will provide eligibility to apply to the registration body (such as NICEIC or NAPIT) as a Q.S. and provide the route to applying for the ECS card