Approved Electrician

[Duncan Bennett]

I did my City & Guilds and gained my grade card as an electrician in 1979.

I went on to own my own business and was a member of Select (then the ECA) and the NICEIC.

I gave up the tools in 1996 for a change of career but returned to the trade this year and have recently had my grade card renewed and my ECA H&S added.

The question is, how do you go about gaining approved Electrician status these days? Though 'm trying to go self employed, I'd like to give myself every advantage I can.

Thanks for reading

 

[Welchyboy]

You needed nvq 3 and 2391 when I done it, but you needed to hold an electricians status gold card for at least 2 years before applying for approved electrician this was w while ago so may be a little different now

 

[Farmelectrics]

if youve had a jib card in past then just apply for a new one got a feeling you need 2391 to obtain jib approved card but not 100%

 

[Duncan Bennett]

Thanks, guys.

I should maybe have added that I'm in Scotland.

It was the SJIB who reissued my card recently.

 

[Welchyboy]

I would think that would still be ok m8, normally once your in your ok, it's just getting in

 

[Farmelectrics]

did they not change the rules once youve got your approved card and as long as you keep it up to date you will allways have your approved ticket but if you let it run out and then apply for your approved theyll only give you an electricians card unless you do 2391 so dont let your card run out lads

 

[TPES]

You needed nvq 3 and 2391 when I done it, but you needed to hold an electricians status gold card for at least 2 years before applying for approved electrician this was w while ago so may be a little different now

Your spot on, this is still the case now, NVQ3 for electrician status, have this grade for a minimum of 2 years and gain your 2391, then your entitled to Approved Electrician, this is what jib told me recently

 

[Duncan Bennett]

Once again, very informative, thanks all.

I've just emailed the SJIB and asked them to advise me.

I can't find the course number 2391 in the Select Qualifications, but suspect it might be the one they have listed as 209 for Inspection & testing.

I'll see what they say.

Thanks again, all; much appreciated.

 

[Rockingit]

2391 is in the process of being replaced - suggest you take a look on the C&G website.

 

[oldtimer]

I started my time in 1975 and thats the year that you had to have your qualifications A was electrician B Approved C Technician before that you could serve your time and as long as you did 2 years with a company you could apply for approved status if you failed your qualifications you had to serve an extra year as an improver but only if you started before 1975. So Duncan I take it you have the A qualification ? and if so SJIB will be looking for the right qualifications and thats a bit harder after all these years mind you I understand that the SJIB does not like grading the Electrical Trainee and like to see recognised apprenticeship on the grade card

 

[Engineer54]

I started my time in 1975 and thats the year that you had to have your qualifications A was electrician B Approved C Technician before that you could serve your time and as long as you did 2 years with a company you could apply for approved status if you failed your qualifications you had to serve an extra year as an improver but only if you started before 1975. So Duncan I take it you have the A qualification ? and if so SJIB will be looking for the right qualifications and thats a bit harder after all these years mind you I understand that the SJIB does not like grading the Electrical Trainee and like to see recognised apprenticeship on the grade card

Probably because they have nothing to grade them on!!!

 

[ian.settle1]

did they not change the rules once youve got your approved card and as long as you keep it up to date you will allways have your approved ticket but if you let it run out and then apply for your approved theyll only give you an electricians card unless you do 2391 so dont let your card run out lads

Sorry to disagree but I was graded as an Approved Electrician and did not renew it for some 10 years, reapplied for my JIB card and got it even though I did not have 2391, once you have been graded at a certain grade they cannot down grade you as they would leave themselves open to litigation.

 

[Duncan Bennett]

I started my time in 1975 and thats the year that you had to have your qualifications A was electrician B Approved C Technician before that you could serve your time and as long as you did 2 years with a company you could apply for approved status if you failed your qualifications you had to serve an extra year as an improver but only if you started before 1975. So Duncan I take it you have the A qualification ? and if so SJIB will be looking for the right qualifications and thats a bit harder after all these years mind you I understand that the SJIB does not like grading the Electrical Trainee and like to see recognised apprenticeship on the grade card

Yes, I got my 'A' Electrician in '79 following a five year apprenticeship with an Edinburgh firm and day release at Stephenson College.

My new grade card states 'Recognised Apprenticeship', so I guess they do keep records going back to the dark ages

 

[oldtimer]

Yes, I got my 'A' Electrician in '79 following a five year apprenticeship with an Edinburgh firm and day release at Stephenson College.

My new grade card states 'Recognised Apprenticeship', so I guess they do keep records going back to the dark ages

Yep i thought so as I got mines at the same time but after 4 years but the problem you have is that 32 years later they still want a qualification