Electrical and Domestic Installer Career Routes
If you're not a school leaver it can be difficult to find information on starting a career within the electrical industry. However, there are different career routes available depending on what your goal is.
Domestic Electrical Installer
To offer electrical installation services in the domestic market you are required to hold a “Competent Person” certificate. Becoming a competent Domestic Electrical Installer is one route available to achieve this.
Registration is also required from one of the Government Approved Part P Schemes allowing you to sign off and self certify your own electrical installation work.
To enable acquiring a “Competent Person” registration and subsequently work as a Domestic Electrical Installer, it is important to have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the following aspects of electrical installation work:
IEE Wiring Regulations
It is vital to be able to demonstrate full knowledge of the current (17th Edition) IEE Wiring Regulations. The recognised qualification for this is the City and Guilds 2382-10 and for those who have previously gained the 16th Edition post 2001, the City and Guilds 2382-20.
Inspection & Testing
Full knowledge of Inspection and Testing relevant to the type of installation work being carried out is essential, as well as being able to use the equipment and complete the relevant test sheets for the assessor.
To meet these requirements PASS have put together a Domestic Electrical Installer course package which includes the following essential qualifications:
These two courses have been designed to give basic knowledge, skills and understanding of electrics and will train to a standard where progression to the IEE 17th Edition Wiring Regulations qualification can successfully be achieved.
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City & Guilds 17th Edition 2382-10 course (3.5 days)
These are the Industry standard regulations for working within the electrical sector. -
City & Guilds Building Regulations 2393-10 course (1 day)
This course will ensure understanding of the Methods of Compliance, for the seven Parts of the Building Regulations most relevant to electrical installations in dwellings. -
Logic Part P for Domestic Installers course (6 days)
The Part P Full Scope - VRQ Level 2 electrical training course has been designed to give understanding of the skills and competency required when carrying out electrical installation work.
If you can meet all of the above requirements and can demonstrate competence in this area, you will pass your Part P assessment and be able to practice as a Domestic Electrical Installer.
Electrician
If you are looking for a career change and would like an ‘Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Card’ for electricians, the industry recognised qualification is the NVQ Level 3 course. A recognised qualification will allow the pursuit of a career as an electrician in all parts of the industry including gaining work with companies who operate in commercial and industrial sectors.
NVQs are work based qualifications that will provide you with work experience in order to build a portfolio. The most popular occupational routes for level 3 NVQ are:
NVQ Level 3 Electrotechnical Services Electrical Installation – Buildings and Structures, other variations include Electrical Maintenance, Installing Instrumentation or Installing Highway Electrical Systems.
Alongside the NVQ, a technical certificate in City & Guilds 2330 Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology – Level 3 will be studied.
To enrol on an NVQ the best option is to contact your local higher education college.
Other qualifications required for electricians include the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations qualification.
To be able to register on a competent person scheme you will need to complete the City and Guilds 2392 Certificate.
School leavers
For those who want to enter the industry from school (16-19 year olds) there are apprenticeship schemes available in local areas for young people to enter the electrical industry.