The UK has an ongoing need for skilled electricians and electrotechnicians, especially now that economic conditions are improving..........
Skilled and qualified electricians can work in any number of different areas, both in the public sector, private industry, or in general electrical contracting; in fact the broad range of installations that electricians can potentially work on, not only depends on individual experience, it also very much depends on the type of training and eventual qualifications that the individual gains.
So, with certain skills sets and qualifications, an individual can find themselves working in the construction industry, within the engineering sector, or in general contracting on either domestic or commercial installations.
One thing is certain: you can safely assume that no matter where there is an electrical installation, there will be an electrotechnician or an electrician!
Sector Skills Councils
All modern industries have an appointed champion; a sector skills council - Summit Skills is the appointed Sector Skills Council for the building services and electrical engineering industry. Summit Skills is charged with the responsibility for providing the frameworks for the electrotechnical industry, including advising awarding bodies and establishing formal CPD’s - Continuous Professional Development. Summits Skills is not just another quango; it is fully engaged with the electrotechnical industry, promoting the ideals of upskilling to both employers and employees alike, to further their knowledge and skills within the electrical industry.
An electrician must have practical skills as well as some mathematical and computational skills. In addition, electricians need to be dexterous be capable of confidently operating hand and power tools. As with every self managed position, electricians have to be excellent at “self supervising”, be rigorous with time management, be able to read technical documents, and interpret diagrams, and follow procedures and safety guidelines and of course, be able to problem solve. As is the case with almost every discipline, electricians will need to be able to communicate effectively, and to a certain extent, be physically fit, have perfect colour vision. On top of all of this, electricians will need to have the confidence to be able to make decisions, either alone or as part of a team.
Becoming an Electrotechnician
The traditional entry point for young people has been through seeking an apprenticeship whilst working for an electrical installation company. However, with the decline in funding arrangements for apprenticeships, there is an emerging skills shortage, however, this means that there are opportunities for those who are seeking a career path change or perhaps want to return back to the industry.
What qualifications do I need?
The “must have” qualification is a certification in the 17th edition. This is usually evidenced by the individual holding certificates in either a City and Guilds 2382-10 or a City and Guilds 2382-20.
If an individual intends to carry out any electrical testing and periodic inspecting, it is the industries de facto requirement that individuals have passed a practical and technical assessment, evidenced by either a City and Guilds 2392-10 (initial verification) or if the individual is responsible for quality assurance, the recommended certification is evidenced by the individual holding a City and Guilds 2391-10.
What is the EAS?
The EAS, the Electrotechnical assessment specification, published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, describes:
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The minimum requirements for an enterprise (e.g. contractor) to be recognised by a certification body as competent to undertake electrical installation work, (design, construction, installation and verification) in England and Wales. It includes the minimum technical competence requirements for enterprises to be considered competent to carry out electrical installation work in dwellings in accordance with Part P of the building regulations (Appendix 7). We have more detailed information about Part P here >>>>
- Interpretation of the general requirements for bodies operating product certification (including process and service) schemes of EN 45011 (Appendix 9)
The Electrotechnical assessment specification, prepared by a management committee that includes representatives of the competent person scheme providers, trade associations, the department for Communities and Local Government, the Electrical Safety Council and the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). The IET has ownership of the specification and provides the electrical industry with further administrative support to the IET management committee.
The specification was prepared as part of the support of the electrical industry (and other interested parties) in introducing electrical safety in to the Building Regulations.
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