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‘Green’ electricity still demands competent electricians: the value and significance of ‘Electrician Plus’

Electrical skills are more important than ever, being essential to the successful roll-out of (among other things) clean energy, new housing, ‘smart’ buildings and the electrification of heat, industry and transport.

For ‘green electrical’ technologies there are now well-established Level 3 qualifications, enabling existing electricians to upskill in EV charge-points, energy storage systems and solar PV.

Like everything associated with electricity, the safety of these installations remains a paramount concern for industry, Government and the general public alike. The Electricity at Work Regulations still apply to ‘green’ installations, as does the Building Safety Act. Before attempting to undertake work in these areas, therefore, installers need to be electrically qualified and competent in the first place.

For these reasons, the Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) has partnered with awarding bodies City & Guilds, EAL and BPEC to develop the current crop of ‘Electrician Plus’ Level 3 qualifications. The ’Electrician Plus’ designation confirms that these qualifications meet industry technical requirements, including rigorous pre-entry conditions. As the name suggests, ‘Electrician Plus’ qualifications are open only to fully qualified electricians as upskilling.

More recently, the certification bodies which assess and validate the competence of electrical contracting businesses have also endorsed ‘Electrician Plus’. Businesses wishing to operate in ‘green electrical’ markets therefore need to ensure that those undertaking the work on their behalf are competent to do so, including possessing both core competence as an electrician and relevant ‘Electrician Plus’ qualifications.

The implications for education and training providers are clear. The only qualifications recognised by industry for technologies such as solar PV, EV charging and energy storage systems are ‘Electrician Plus’ Level 3 qualifications. No imitations or alleged equivalents are recognised or accepted.

Further information about ‘Electrician Plus’, including an up-to-date list of qualifications can be found on the TESP website here. Providers or anyone else wanting to know more about ‘Electrician Plus’ or other electrical education or training matters can contact TESP here.

Author: Andrew Eldred, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, ECA

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