Electrical Training - Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I become a qualified electrician?

Answer: There are many routes into the electrical industry, ranging from a full electrical apprenticeship to those people who are re-training to move from another trade.

To be a competent Electrician you must be able to demonstrate sufficient technical knowledge, relevant practical skills and have experience of the type of electrical work you are undertaking. You must also be able to work safely at all times.

The exact training needed to satisfy these requirements varies from person to person and most people already have some of the skills and knowledge required. For those with prior electrical experience City & Guilds range of electrical qualifications offer them the chance to become competent and formalise their qualifications with nationally recognised certificates.

It is also very important that, once trained, those with electrical training keep themselves up to date and improve their range of skills by regularly attending the latest training courses on offer.

Question: How do I become a PAT tester?

Answer: To become a Pat Tester you need to be able to demonstrate competence in a number of areas; you must be able to understand the theory aspects of PAT testing and basic electrical theory, you must be able to carry out the physical inspection and testing of electrical equipment and know how to operate a PAT Tester.

There are many courses available to give you the knowledge and skills above, ranging from competence based courses that focus on the hands on side of the subject, through to City & Guilds certified courses like City & Guilds 2377-22 & 2377-32 which together cover all aspects of portable appliance testing.

Question: What is Part P?

Answer: "Part P" or Approved Document P to give it its correct title, is part of the building regulations and applies to electrical installations in dwellings.

In simple terms any electrical work carried out in domestic properties must comply with the wiring regulations and, unless classified as minor works, must be certified by a member of a competent persons scheme and notified to the local building control department.

Question: How do I self certify my work/Do I need to self certify my work?

Answer: To comply with part P and be able to certify their own work, many Electricians join competent persons schemes operated by organisations like NICEIC or NAPIT, these companies carry out regular assessments on their approved Electricians and police their work to ensure a high standard is maintained.

Trained Electricians can also certify their work by notifying their local building control department directly in the same way as obtaining planning permission for other activities. Each job must be notified in advance to LBC who will carry out there own inspections and issue the compliance certificate. These activities are usually chargeable and each LBC has different policies of who they will accept as competent to submit work in this manner.

The above is only applicable to properties that fall under ‘Part P’ and does not apply to most commercial and industrial installations, where the electricity at work regulations requires that those carrying out electrical work are competent to do so, but does not specifically require them to be a member of a competent persons scheme. City & Guilds courses 2392 and 2394 are specifically designed to provide Electricians with the knowledge and skills they require to competently carry out inspection, testing and certification.

Question: What is the MCS scheme? How do I join the MCS scheme?

Answer: The Microgeneration Certification Scheme or MCS, is a scheme operated by Gemserv under licence from the government, it aims to regulate the Microgeneration industry. The term microgeneration covers technologies such as solar photovoltaics and wind turbines that allow us to generate our own electricity on a small scale.

To claim funding for the electricity you generate, for example under the FITs or Feed in Tariffs, your installation must have been installed by a company approved under MCS and the products used must also be MCS approved.

To approve products and Installers, Gemserv appoint certification bodies like NICEIC who carry out regular assessments to ensure that the strict standards laid down by Gemserv are being met. Any Installer who wishes to be approved under MCS must contact their chosen certification body who will guide them through the approval process.

Further Information - MCS Certification Bodies
Further Information - MCS Presentation

Question: Why should I join NICEIC?

Answer: NICEIC is a widely recognised and trusted brand within the electrical industry and importantly with customers too. They offer a range of certification schemes from domestic installer and approved contractor through to MCS, they also offer additional services including a technical help line and warranties.

Question: If I do the PV course, can I fit panels straight away?

Answer: Once you have successfully completed the NICEIC PV course and received your certificate you are able to carry out the electrical installation of PV systems up to 16A per phase, however you must also ensure that you meet any other applicable requirements, such as ‘Part P’, The wiring regulations (BS 7671) as well as conforming to health and safety standards.

But remember that only installations carried out by an MCS approved company are able to claim funding, so for this reason most installers would seek MCS approval before carrying out any PV installations.

Question: How long is my NICEIC certificate valid for?

Answer: Unlike other certificates which simply record the date on which the certificate was awarded, for both NICEIC PV and DISQ courses, when successful you are issued with a certificate of competence and as such that certificate remains valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

Question: Does the NICEIC PV course include roofing work, such as cutting tiles and the roof installation of PV modules and support systems within the practical content?

Answer: No, An overview of these subjects is included within the theory aspects of the course. This course is designed to cover the electrical design & installation of PV systems and it is recommended that any roof works are carried out only by those competent in these areas (suitably qualified roofing contractors).

Question: Does the PV course enable me to join MCS?

Answer: Successful completion of the NICEIC PV course does not, in its self, enable you to be approved under MCS, there a number of other quality requirements that must be fulfilled before you can be accepted by an MCS certification body.

One of these requirements is that all those carrying out work under MCS must be competent in the area of work they are undertaking and the NICEIC PV course has been specifically written to meet this requirement. A full list of MCS requirements for PV can be found in MCS Document MIS3002.

Further Information - MIS3002

Question: How much is it to register with the NICEIC?

Answer: As with most Schemes there are many different pricing tariffs based on which accreditations a contractor holds. Below are links to the fee for two of the most popular NICEIC Schemes.

Further Information - Domestic Installer Fees
Further Information - Approved Contractor Fees

Question: What are the pre-requisite qualifications required for the NICEIC Solar PV Course?

Answer: To be allowed onto the course Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they hold the following qualifications.

• City & Guilds 2382 Certificate in requirements for Electrical Installation (BS7671:2008) and,
• City & Guilds 2391-10 Inspection and Testing Qualification

Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted on a case by case basis, but this must be agreed by the centre prior to acceptance onto the course.

Question: If I do the DISQ can I self certify straight away?

Answer: Successful completion of the Domestic Installer scheme qualification (DISQ) does not allow you to self certify your work straight away.

You must first become a member of a competent persons scheme operated by an organisation like NICEIC. They will visit you and sample your work, documentation and procedures and if successful accept you onto their competent persons scheme. Once you are a scheme member you will then be able to certify your own work under the requirements of "Part P" of the building regulations.

Question: Who can do a City & Guilds 2377-22?

Answer: This course is open to anyone with a good knowledge of electricity and electrical work, ideally Candidates will have the ability to use simple electrical formulas, such as ohm’s law and a sound understanding of electrical units like current and resistance. There are courses available that include an introduction to basic electrics as part of the course content and this type of course is strongly recommended for Candidates with little electrical background knowledge.

Question: What experience/qualifications do I need to do this course?

Answer: There are no official pre-requisite qualifications that you must hold to be allowed to enrol on this course, however this is not an easy course and Candidates are recommended to get as much experience and knowledge as possible before attending the course.

This course is based on the IEE code of practice for the in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment and it is strongly recommended that Candidates attending the course should also read the IEE code of practice in advance of the course.

Question: How is this course assessed?

Answer: City & Guilds 2377-22 is assessed in two ways; there is a short practical assessment where the Candidate is asked to correctly inspect and test an appliance under the supervision of an assessor and record the results. The second assessment takes the form of a multiple-choice exam. This exam lasts for one hour 45 minutes and has fifty questions.

Question: What jobs could this lead to?

Answer: There are many fields in which a qualified PAT Tester can be employed.

Firstly almost every company in the country will require PAT testing to be carried out and a qualified PAT Tester may undertake this work in addition to their main job role, this is true of many Caretakers and Maintenance staff for example. Being able to carry out PAT testing in this way also makes those with this qualification more attractive to potential employers when looking for work.

There are many companies that specialise in offering PAT testing services to their customers. This creates a range of opportunities to the qualified PAT Tester, from being a self employed and running your own PAT business to working as part of a large PAT Testing company.

Finally many companies have an established list of satisfied customers who use them on a regular basis to provide products or services, PAT testing can be new service that your company can offer to existing customers, expanding your range of services and diversifying your business.

Question: What is a City & Guilds 2377-32?

Answer: City & Guilds 2377-32 is a qualification aimed at those with managerial responsibilities that include PAT Testing, very similar to the 2377-22 qualification, the 2377-32 covers additional areas, such as, the laws surrounding PAT testing and the training required by those performing the different roles within an organisation carrying out PAT testing.

Question: Can I sit the 2377-32 after I have done a 2377-22 with you?

Answer: Although it can be delivered as a stand-alone course the usual route to 2377-32 is via the 2377-22 and these two courses together cover all aspects of the IEE code of practice.

As the two courses are very similar and share much of their content, we offer those with suitable electrical experience the chance to achieve both qualifications within the same combined course, sitting two examinations and receiving two separate certificates on successful completion.

Question: What experience/qualifications do I need to do this course?

Answer: Those attending this course must have a sound knowledge of electricity and electrical work and should be able to use simple electrical formulas, such as Ohm’s law. It is strongly recommended that those attending the combined 2377- 32 & 22 course are practicing electricians due to the condensed nature of the course.

Question: How is this course assessed?

Answer: City & Guilds 2377-32 is assessed by a 40 question multiple-choice examination lasting 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Question: What jobs could this lead to?

Answer: This course is aimed at anyone with managerial responsibility for PAT testing, this could include Company Directors, Maintenance Managers, Health & Safety Managers, School Head Teachers and self-employed PAT Testers. It is essential that all persons involved in the management of PAT testing understand the subject and know their legal responsibilities.

Question: Who is the fast track aimed at?

Answer: The Fast-Track 2382-12 course is aimed at those who currently hold a C&G 2382-10/20 (red book course) who have a good working knowledge of the current regulation and wish to update to the 2382-12 (green book course) without attending the full 3 day course.

Question: What experience/qualifications do I need to do this course?

Answer: Those attending the fast-track course must have completed formal electrical training under 17th edition of the wiring regulations and have an excellent working knowledge of the current regulations. This course is designed for advanced practitioners and those with any doubts are recommended to attend the 3 day 2382 course.

Question: How is this course assessed?

Answer: This course is assessed by a 60 question multiple-choice examination lasting 2 hours, Candidates must achieve a pass mark of 60%.

Question: What jobs could this lead to?

Answer: All those carrying out electrical installation work must be competent to do so and it is essential that they are up to date with the latest requirements of the wiring regulations. Those possessing this qualification would typically work as Electrical Contractors, Maintenance Electricians, Electrical Repair Engineers, Site Supervisors, Maintenance Managers, Electrical Designers and Electrical Consultants.

Question: What time does it start/finish?

Answer: Most courses start at 09.00 and Finish at 16.30 each day, however fast-track courses will have different start and finish times.

Your course co-ordinator will send you confirmation of the exact start and finish times that apply to your course and if unsure you should contact the centre to confirm. We ask all Candidates to arrive at the course venue at least 15 minutes before the published start time to avoid any delays in starting the course.

Question: Is there food and refreshments supplied?

Answer: All courses run at our centres will have a buffet lunch provided and refreshments available throughout the day. Where the course is delivered at another venue, for example a hotel or at customer"s premises different arrangements may apply, your course co-ordinator will inform you if you need to make alternative arrangements for food and refreshments i.e. a packed lunch.

If you have any special dietary requirements please bring this to the attention of your course co-ordinator at time of booking.

Question: What do I need to bring?

Answer: This varies from course to course and any special items are listed on the information provided by your course co-ordinator when you book the course.

Most courses require you to bring a few standard items; pens, note paper and a calculator are the main items required. Also additional items, such as highlighter pens and post-it notes are often very useful.

Many courses require that you bring along a specific book (for example IEE wiring regulations) and these are used during both the course and exam, it is essential that you bring these items and that you read the course instructions relating to their condition. All books for us in examinations must contain no writing either in the book or even on page markers, please speak to your course co-ordinator if unsure.