Don’t get taken for a ride by electrical ‘Rogue Trainers’ urges industry body

Want to become a qualified electrician? Look carefully at the training courses on offer to avoid wasting time and money, is the advice in a new campaign from electrical industry body The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP).

With thousands of searches each year on terms such as ‘electrical courses’ and ‘how to become an electrician’, many people are at risk of taking the wrong training path if they’re not aware of the correct routes they should follow.

Alongside the many training providers who are doing the right thing and offering industry-recognised qualifications, there are unfortunately some training providers – dubbed by TESP as ‘Rogue Trainers’ – who don’t deliver on their promises, presenting a range of courses which look impressive to the untrained eye, but on proper inspection don’t lead to qualified status.

Click to view video

In a short, animated video from TESP, an unsuspecting victim is drawn into a house of horrors by false claims which turn out not to be all they seem.

The advice to those wanting to become an electrician is look carefully at what’s on offer and be aware of red flags like hard sells, payment plans, and qualification packages which aren’t recognised by industry.

Full advice is available at www.roguetrainers.co.uk with top tips for choosing a training provider, along with warning signs to look out for when researching a provider’s claims. Visitors are signposted to TESP’s industry approved Training Routes to read more on the right paths to follow to become qualified.

“There are still too many reports of people spending thousands of pounds with companies who wilfully misrepresent where their training leads,” said Ruth Devine, TESP Chair and Managing Director of SJD Electrical. “Some providers use high-pressure sales techniques to trap learners with a large financial commitment, but devious contract terms mean there’s no realistic prospect of achieving the qualification.”

“When so many training providers jump through hoops to do things properly and engage responsibly with industry and employers, it’s important that potential learners are aware of the pitfalls.

“We hope to raise awareness of this campaign to the general public and help those who may fall foul of rogue trainers when looking to become an electrician.”

Watch the video and find out more about the campaign.

Click to view video

 

[Petej999]

The closest thing to 'qualified' in todays market is an up to date NVQ3 ?

But as you say the term 'qualified' in the electrical industry means nothing as it there is no formal one size fits all qualification

Its not like a driving test where you pass and then are qualified to drive , the electrical trade has never ever had such a universal standard

And therein lies the problem with todays boil in the bag Electrician courses, and those poor souls that take and pass these courses and are allowed to be classed as Electricians IMO FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH.

View attachment 90993

Want to become a qualified electrician? Look carefully at the training courses on offer to avoid wasting time and money, is the advice in a new campaign from electrical industry body The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP).

With thousands of searches each year on terms such as ‘electrical courses’ and ‘how to become an electrician’, many people are at risk of taking the wrong training path if they’re not aware of the correct routes they should follow.

Alongside the many training providers who are doing the right thing and offering industry-recognised qualifications, there are unfortunately some training providers – dubbed by TESP as ‘Rogue Trainers’ – who don’t deliver on their promises, presenting a range of courses which look impressive to the untrained eye, but on proper inspection don’t lead to qualified status.

Click to view video

In a short, animated video from TESP, an unsuspecting victim is drawn into a house of horrors by false claims which turn out not to be all they seem.

The advice to those wanting to become an electrician is look carefully at what’s on offer and be aware of red flags like hard sells, payment plans, and qualification packages which aren’t recognised by industry.

Full advice is available at www.roguetrainers.co.uk with top tips for choosing a training provider, along with warning signs to look out for when researching a provider’s claims. Visitors are signposted to TESP’s industry approved Training Routes to read more on the right paths to follow to become qualified.

“There are still too many reports of people spending thousands of pounds with companies who wilfully misrepresent where their training leads,” said Ruth Devine, TESP Chair and Managing Director of SJD Electrical. “Some providers use high-pressure sales techniques to trap learners with a large financial commitment, but devious contract terms mean there’s no realistic prospect of achieving the qualification.”

“When so many training providers jump through hoops to do things properly and engage responsibly with industry and employers, it’s important that potential learners are aware of the pitfalls.

“We hope to raise awareness of this campaign to the general public and help those who may fall foul of rogue trainers when looking to become an electrician.”

Watch the video and find out more about the campaign.

Click to view video

Far to many of these money grabbin shysters about these days IMO

 

[Electrics]

Say what you want....Qualified or competent but in my eyes you have to be qualified to be properly competent.........and competent to be properly qualified.

But that's the problem, you can't be 'qualified' because there's no such thing.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

But that's the problem, you can't be 'qualified' because there's no such thing.

Sure you can be qualified. Anyone with any electrical qualification meets the dictionary definition. But totally agree with you regarding 'fully qualified', there is no such thing.

 

[nicebutdim]

But that's the problem, you can't be 'qualified' because there's no such thing.

Employers may stipulate their own requirements. I know in NI that most would expect to see nothing other than the traditional apprenticeship route.

 

[Electrics]

Sure you can be qualified. Anyone with any electrical qualification meets the dictionary definition. But totally agree with you regarding 'fully qualified', there is no such thing.

Yeah i mean what qual counts? Level 2? Inspection and testing + experience? It's a terrible minefield of an industry imo.

I cut my teeth in Europe and their rules are far superior, they're properly regulated and even their standards are better.

UK is miles behind in every single measurable metric imo.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

Yeah i mean what qual counts? Level 2? Inspection and testing + experience? It's a terrible minefield of an industry imo.

I cut my teeth in Europe and their rules are far superior, they're properly regulated and even their standards are better.

UK is miles behind in every single measurable metric imo.

Yeah, I see your point. With no legal obligation to hold any qualification to do electrical work, the only qualifications that count are the ones your employers or clients want to see. As I'm self employed, that generally means 'none'.

I took the short course route into the industry, but largely consider myself self-taught. I don't have a huge amount of faith in formal training/education (I find you mostly end up teaching yourself with the aid of books anyway), but I wanted some sort of qualification so I could say I was 'qualified' if anyone asked. Only once have I been asked if I'm 'fully qualified', to which I said I'm qualified for the range of work I do (which is true, but then so is anyone).

 

[ipf]

Yeah i mean what qual counts? Level 2? Inspection and testing + experience? It's a terrible minefield of an industry imo.

You're right there...but it's been the same and just getting worse for goodness knows how long. All those top 'greats' of our industry (and government) just doing there best to ferk up everything that's gone before them with a fast forward button....making it so easy to become an electrician yet so difficult to become an experienced and competent one.
Not just our lot, of course, but we're a hell of a good example.

 

[ipf]

UK is miles behind in every single measurable metric imo.

Wouldn't be surprised if we're even behind in feet and inches or pounds and ounces....by miles.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Except in France you do not have to be qualified to work on your own domestic installation, no such thing a Part P or notifying your LBC.

 

[Electrics]

Except in France you do not have to be qualified to work on your own domestic installation, no such thing a Part P or notifying your LBC.

https://www.consuel.com/

And the point here is there is an actual definition of what constitutes 'fully qualified' and it's called 'technicien', one step above 'electricien' which is their equivalent to domestic installer. It's a regulated profession in France, it isn't here which is why our quals aren't readily accepted in Europe.

 

[Mike Johnson]

But means nothing in domestic work if the main is already connected, the only time an installation is checked is in a house sale and then not by anyone qualified or Consuel.

 

[Vortigern]

Persons to be competent to prevent danger and injury (EAWR)

16. No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger or, where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.
So far as I know this is the only statutory requirement in doing electrical work. While an industrial installation worker and domestic worker my have the same qualifications, there is no way either could do the others work. Regs talk of "skilled persons" another layer of definition.
So statutorily: Technical knowledge, from qualifications? Experience; on the job? But the whole point of being competent, the aim, is to PREVENT DANGER AND INJURY. So work carried out must be done to regs to obviate injury and danger. Which in some ways is common sense. I think it is easily forgotten that an electricians work is not that difficult. From a qualification viewpoint it is really just basic science nothing rocket science about it. The techniques employed by a skilled experienced person are not that difficult once learnt. I do think sometimes some get a bit up themselves in presenting being an electrician as an insoluble maze of technical difficulty whereas it is very mundane and simple. Present company excepted of course.

 

[Vortigern]

134.2.1 During erection and on completion of an installation or an addition or alteration to an installation,
and before it is put into service, appropriate inspection and testing shall be carried out by skilled persons competent
to verify that the requirements of this Standard have been met.
Under definitions;
Skilled person (electrically). Person who possesses, as appropriate to the nature of the electrical work to be
undertaken, adequate education, training and practical skills, and who is able to perceive risks and avoid hazards
which electricity can create
Just to further define what an electrician should be by statute and regs. HSE provide further info on competent as defined in EAWR. But this is all rather common sense. Competent is mentioned a number of times especially around I&T having to be competent to do I&T.

 

[Vortigern]

UK is miles behind in every single measurable metric imo.

Ok now thats fighting talk! I think you're statements below are open to debate.

There is no standard, body, qualification or overseeing authority that defines 'fully qualified'. In short, there's no such thing.

there is no standard setters

Third party certification schemes for domestic electrical work

Find out how you can join a third party certification scheme for domestic electrical work.

www.gov.uk

I think you will find in the link a tad of standards which govern entry and competence within the electrical trades. CPS are not just there to say your work is ok but also to assess entrants to ensure they have the competencies and qualifications to safely work. You can see gov.uk has devolved the responsibility for overseeing competency to these schemes. I will be the first to admit that there are flaws. However are you really saying there are no imcompetent electricians in europe? That you will only find them here in England or Holland? Arguing about "fully qualified" is tilting at windmills imho. It is purely semantics. Yes it could be stated in a better way, but does not really cut to the core of what a competent person is by changing a few words. It would seem you may have much to contribute to TESP. I think a lot of people on here are highly skilled persons and competent and would have much to contribute here and abroad. Some of your statements suggest this may not be so by implication. I object to that. While I take some of what you say on board as having merit there are parts that skate close to insult which I have always been taught, is it kind, is it true, is it necessary, if not, do not say it. You might usefully reflect on that.

 

[Lister1987]

Say what you want....Qualified or competent but in my eyes you have to be qualified to be properly competent.........and competent to be properly qualified.

Its the whole 'lesser' and 'fewer' argument all over again. They simply aren't interchangable.