Interesting statistics...

[D Skelton]

So I'm well bored right now! I've just been looking at statistics relating to the number of electricians operating in the UK compared to the number of electricians operating in the US and I've found something rather interesting, or at least it appears to be this way. See what you make of it...

In the UK, there are approximately 46k people registered with competent persons schemes. Approximately 25-35% of all electricians in the UK are qualified to NVQ3 or equivalent. Using these figures it could be suggested that 30k of those registered with competent persons schemes do not hold NVQ3 or equivalent.

There are roughly 200k electricians operating in the UK. The country's population is 63m. This equates to one electrician for every 315 people.

There are roughly 850k electricians operating in the US. The country's population is 314m. This equates to one electrician for every 370 people.

Now the bit that gets interesting is if you disregard 30k competent person scheme registered electricians operating in the UK presumed not to be fully qualified but operating as electricians. This brings the new total of electricians operating in the UK to 170k. This now equates to one electrician for every 370 people, the same as the US!


Now I know statistical evidence can sometimes be unreliable at best, but these results sure do paint an interesting picture lol.

Thought this would throw up some interesting debate. Any speculation? Anyone want to tear these statistics apart? Any input welcome


*I should point out that all statistics have been gained from what I would expect to be reliable sources, although that can't be guaranteed of course.

 

[skippy2]

On the statistics point 25% of accidents are caused by drink drivers therefor 75% must be caused by sober drivers therefor is it safer to drive drunk? !!!

 

[D Skelton]

On the statistics point 25% of accidents are caused by drink drivers therefor 75% must be caused by sober drivers therefor is it safer to drive drunk? !!!

I don't think I ever drive sober!

 

[HandySparks]

Because there is no such thing as a Electrical Trainee in America. I'm just attempting to level the playing field.....

Hmm. So what you're saying is that 'Registered with a scheme, but not NVQ3' = Electrical Trainee. OK, although it's a bit of a sweeping assumption.

I'm quite surprised that 65 to 75% of all UK electricians are NOT qualified to NVQ3 or equivalent.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

commercial and industrial sparks don't need to register anywhere
foreign educated sparks do not have NVQ... most will have qualifications from where ever they come from and do not bother converting it.
out of 370 people around a half will use a builder/friend/cowboy... not sure how it translates into statistics, possibly in more work for electricians

oh aye?..

so does this include Yarric/Darric/Roman etc...?

 

[D Skelton]

Hmm. So what you're saying is that 'Registered with a scheme, but not NVQ3' = Electrical Trainee. OK, although it's a bit of a sweeping assumption.

No no no, quite the contrary.

It's just that statistics for the NVQ qualified sparks and scam members are the only ones I could get my mits on. Like I said, I'm just throwing a few numbers out there and speculating, I'm not for a minute suggesting that the stats I have provided are an accurate representantion of anything, just an interesting thought that's all!

If I had to guess, I'd say that roughly a quarter of scam members are NVQ3 qualified, a quarter are level 3 qualified and half are 5WWs, but like I said, with no numbers to hand and with only a rough representation of sparks local to me to go on, this is only a guess.

 

[Engineer54]

Also, those indentured apprentice trained sparks before NVQ's were even thought about, ''probably'' wouldn't need an NVQ to prove work experience.

That's another problem with statistics, you need to factor in ALL relevant data that can affect the outcome of a statistical survey, and the truth is, that is never the case!!

 

[PEG]

And don't forget that 87.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot...

 

[D Skelton]

And don't forget that 87.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot...

Err, that would be 87.6% actually!

 

[dan86]

Err, that would be 87.6% actually!

well played Skelton, well played ;-)

 

[chcnorris29]

There are some people out there who are not qualified but know more than some so called "qualified" electricians and they would prob get the qualifications easily. If these where taken in to account then than could change the figures.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

The climate is getting hotter, live expectancy is increasing therefore hot people live longer!

I love maths and also statistics but statistics have to go through rigorous testing before they can be used to make assumtions and I'm afraid Mr Skelton having an idea pop into your head doesn't meet the criteria!

Annoying thing is though its making me think a bit!

 

[D Skelton]

The climate is getting hotter, live expectancy is increasing therefore hot people live longer!

I love maths and also statistics but statistics have to go through rigorous testing before they can be used to make assumtions and I'm afraid Mr Skelton having an idea pop into your head doesn't meet the criteria!

Annoying thing is though its making me think a bit!

Like I said, the numbers could be nothing more than an interesting coincidence, but they do make you think.

I was well aware before I even posted them that they were not evidence of any kind, but an interesting talking point none the less. They sparked debate, and that was my sole intention, nothing more

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Hi Mr Skelton, you certainly sparked debate on the Solar bit of the forum last week!!! And provided me with great pleasure.

 

[D Skelton]

Hi Mr Skelton, you certainly sparked debate on the Solar bit of the forum last week!!! And provided me with great pleasure.

Hahaha, that wasn't a debate, it was a complete and utter clusterf**k!!!

I thought I had strong opinions but jeez! Rocking up in the solar section dissing solar power was tantamount to rocking up at a UAF march wearing an Englad t-shirt!!!

I left that one be coz I was getting torn a new ring piece!

 

[Englishman]

Been a lot on here about nvqs recently, other than showing the 4 year training, all it does really is show you've passed the am2 doesn't it. And unless you're on building sites, isn't gonna be a huge amount of use (in terms of a gold jib card).

I'm qualified in 2330 and 2391 but never did the site diary and therefore nvq, don't even know if I can still register? Anyway, a few pictures and a bit of work for a picky examiner isn't the be all and end all of being a competent spark.