CSCS or Ecs card? Help Please

[Royston]

Hi guys, just a little confused on what card I need to apply for in order to work on contruction sites etc as an Electricians mate? Do I need qualifications to apply for an Ecs card? Any info would be extremly grateful as I don't want to have to ring the 0844 numbers to find out. Thanks in advance

 

[Paul.M]

The basic CSCS card Passport to Safety will get you on site as a laborer but some sites require the ECS card when your working on electrics so its been proven you know about safe isolation and testing for dead etc. As for the need to have electrical qualifications to apply for the ECS exam? I'm not sure about that.

 

[thekingiam]

not sure if i am talking rubish here been looking at jib website and without qualifications you can not register as electrical improver, you can register as a labourer which will allow you to pull cables etc.problem is although allowed on site with a labourers card most companies won't want a labourer working on electrics.i beleive you need to do the health and safety test required for electrical workers not the general labourers test and then apply to jib to be graded you will at least have a card with jib logo on it to prove you have undergone h&amp;s in electrical.i was classed as an improover but got regraided as a trainee i don't know if they issue these anymore?<br>i would try to find out by them by using a website that gives alternative 0800 numbers but they are not very clever on the phone at jib and won't tell you what you are going to be graded at until they receive your hard earned cash!

 

[Mark1985]

I've done my ecs health and saftey test and compleated 2330 level 2 and 3..but you need a company spaonsor to get graded as a trainee...i'm not currently employed in the industry..so my guess is i'll get labourers grade card...still waiting for it to come back from the jib..

Will i be able to apply and work as an electricians mate,through an agency??even if i have a card graded as a labourer..

 

[Johnuk]

just get the labourer escs cARD one least its get you on site

you can not get away with just a cscs card , IVE BEEN on site where if you dont have a escs card you can not do electrical work on site so they say bye bye, they should have done this years ago coz ive lost out on a lot of work for the fake sparkys

 

[Adam W]

It depends on the company you're working for. I've never been asked to show either, although I haven't done site work for a couple of years.
You can probably get a date for the CSCS card within a matter of weeks, while the ECS might take a matter of months. If you get the CSCS card you might be able to get onto site and get the company you're working for to sponsor your ECS application.