Seeking advice on qualification for experienced electrician

[OldSpark]

Hello, I am a qualified Electrical Engineer from outside UK who has a lot of experience working in domestic and industrial electrical projects as well as manufacturing based.
I am 65 years old and nearing retirement age, I live in London and need to find a course or qualification which would ensure being licensed and being able to do testing etc.
I don't know how it works in the UK, for an experienced electrician what is the best route to take which is least expensive. I don't require the training, only the qualifications
and I am not ready to retire since electrical work is kind of an hobby and it is something to do.

How do I go about it?

 

[SJD]

There is no 'licensing' in the UK, such as you find in some countries. However, some domestic work (e.g. consumer units, new circuits, work in bathroom zones, etc.) is notifiable to local authority Building Control, and it is much easier/cheaper to do this if you are a member of one of the competent persons schemes (NICEIC, NAPIT) and notify such work via them rather than trying to do it direct (when it costs £hundreds per job). If you are interested in that type of work, I suggest you look at their websites, but be aware the critera for joining recently got somewhat stricter.

You don't mention where you are from, but UK wiring regs. have quite significant differences compared to much of the rest of the world. For example, socket ring final circuits which you may not have met before. If you are comtemplating any electrical work at all, you will need to work to BS7671 - currently the 18th edition - search for City & Guilds 2382 18th edition courses. This is an open book exam and quite hard to fail if you understand everything.

If you are planning any testing or inspection work, C&G have courses for that - see C&G 2391, two variants - initial verification and periodic inspection & testing. These are much harder, usually offered at the end of a short course, and include a practical exam. Pass rates are much lower, you need to be well practiced in how to test and find the faults or you run out of time.

 

[mattg4321]

See attached for current requirements for NICEIC Domestic Installer

 

[TJ Anderson]

Hello, I am a qualified Electrical Engineer from outside UK who has a lot of experience working in domestic and industrial electrical projects as well as manufacturing based.
I am 65 years old and nearing retirement age, I live in London and need to find a course or qualification which would ensure being licensed and being able to do testing etc.
I don't know how it works in the UK, for an experienced electrician what is the best route to take which is least expensive. I don't require the training, only the qualifications
and I am not ready to retire since electrical work is kind of an hobby and it is something to do.

How do I go about it?

If you are genuinely experienced and can evidence 5 years work experience then the City and Guilds 2346 NVQ3 followed by AM2E is for you. Once achieved you can get JIB Graded as an Electrician. It is not a training course though, just assessments and a portfolio, so you are just evidencing what you know and what you can do. I believe it has only recently been added and I think it is a great idea for people who have the knowledge and experience but no formal qualifications.