Level of qualification needed to obtain licence?

[D Skelton]

I am genuinely interested to see what others thoughts are on this matter.

Hypothetically speaking, the government disbands the current scam schemes and puts out to tender a GasSafe style system for electricians. Costs are lower, standards maintained, enforcement carried out blah blah blah.... Lets just say the new system is hunky dory for arguments sake. The main difference however is that in order to practise as an electrician in the UK, you now legally have to hold an electricians licence. The word 'electrician' is also protected by statute from fraudulent and unlawful use and only useable by licence holders.

I want to know what qualifications you guys think an individual would have to posses in order to gain a licence and be legally allowed to call themselves an electrician.

I want to make it clear that I'm not into this becoming a Electrical Trainee bashing thread, I am genuinely interested as to be honest, I am currently on the fence and would like to hear your views.

 

[Guest569]

21 pages so far about a proposed system to licence electricians.
Why?
The system has been in place for years and years.

JIB Labourer
JIB Electrician
JIB Approved Electrician
JIB Technician Electrician


Boydy

Well said , but because Im not a member of a scheme I'm "not even qualified" according to some of our english members, Uk sparks to be precise.

And for clarity Im "approved".

 

[D Skelton]

But you may start to operate as a self employed person under the supervision of another self employed person

Who is then supervising the supervisor?

You could then be 'supervised' for your NVQ site visits and then crack on with your own business when they're gone.

 

[D Skelton]

DS: The text regarding the apprenticeship requirement that I quoted, thats what the SJIB (Scottish JIB....far bigger pain in the rear than the JIB down south) have printed in black and white as a requirement for a grade card.....
I even asked their helpline if there was any other route to grading in Scotland other than an apprenticeship? a clear and resounding no, even asked regarding the above C&Gs and the NVQ/SVQ3...doesn't matter I was told....

Well I can't say I could agree entirely with the way they do things then.

 

[Zebra Stripe]

So what your saying is only employed sparks can become qualified? In the JIBs eyes

 

[Zebra Stripe]

Who is then supervising the supervisor?

You could then be 'supervised' for your NVQ site visits and then crack on with your own business when they're gone.

I have no NVQ3 and thats exactly how I would have done it........If I could be bothered, but to be honest I dont want an NVQ

 

[D Skelton]

So what your saying is only employed sparks can become qualified?

No, just those who can prove experience, and experience must be supervised.

 

[overskilled]

Well I can't say I could agree entirely with the way they do things then.

I told the SJIB I have no problem doing xyz training course, having regular site visits or even an extended period as a "provisional electrician"...but they wouldn't have it...

Unsurprisingly IIRC (could be wrong) certain bods at SELECT also have roles at SJIB......conflict of interest?

 

[KAS1]

Perhaps the JIB should introduce another grade, at the bottom end of the grading system but above a labour say a domestic electrician lo

 

[UNG]

Let me make this crystal clear. The NVQ is not a qualification per se, it is proof of experience!

And I thought it was proof you could carry out specific installation tasks

bottom line is whatever it is it's mickey mouse

 

[Zebra Stripe]

No, just those who can prove experience, and experience must be supervised.

Agreed, but as I said before this could be via self employment, but the reason the JIB wont except this, alegedlly, is their intrinsic monetary links with agencys perhaps

And I hate Agency's more than anything parasitic worm like things

 

[J S]

Like I mentioned before, you can't take the SVQ3 Electrical Installation course in Scotland unless you are employed as an apprentice, every college says the same. The course lasts 3 or 4 years depending on how the candidate progresses. Heres a breakdown of each year:


The Apprentice Training Scheme is carried out in 3 Stages.

Stage 1	This consists of 17 weeks of block release at a local college. The typical pattern commences in August with 5 weeks at college, and a further 3 blocks of 4 weeks before July the following year. Site experience is gained in between the college attendance. Skills learned will be both practical and theoretical, e.g. health and safety, wiring systems, wiring enclosures, installation regulations, etc.
Stage 2	This consists of 11 weeks of block release, again at a local college, with site experience gained in between the college attendance. Skills learned will be both practical and theoretical, e.g. cable selection, motors, Electrical Installation projects, etc.
Stage 3	This consists of site experience with one week at college. Skills learned, e.g. assessment of safe working practices, safe isolation, inspection, testing and commissioning of electrical installations.

 

[Zebra Stripe]

So be carefull what you wish for cos the £3000 scheme maybe what you get

 

[D Skelton]

I have no NVQ3 and thats exactly how I would have done it........If I could be bothered, but to be honest I dont want an NVQ

Or is it because you would struggle to complete one?

If someone offered you the opportunity to do one cheap as chips are you honestly telling me you would turn it down?

 

[D Skelton]

So be carefull what you wish for cos the £3000 scheme maybe what you get

Never. I'll bet my house on it!

 

[Zebra Stripe]

Or is it because you would struggle to complete one?

If someone offered you the opportunity to do one cheap as chips are you honestly telling me you would turn it down?

Well probably not because I like to get new quals, but I looked into the one advertised on here for £600 and thought, no, dont want it would rather spend the money elsewhere. Would I struggle to pass it? I hope not because if that were the case perhaps I should be doing something else for a living.