BECOME A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN | NVQ LEVEL 3
Become an approved electrician through our NVQ Level 3 Electrical Training Course.
With decades of industry experience, a team of tutors deliver the five-step course at our four training centres in Birmingham, Manchester, Purley and Wembley.
First, you’ll learn essential domestic and electrical installation in our centre before undertaking on-site work experience as a paid trainee, allowing you to earn as you learn. Then, returning to the centre, you’ll complete your Inspection and Testing. Upon completing step five, you’ll be eligible for your ECS Gold Card and Approved Electrician status.
Through a combination of practical and theory learning, you will gain the skills, knowledge and expertise you need to launch a future-proof career as an approved electrician.
- Step One - Centre Led Training
- Step Two - Portfolio Building
- Step Three - Inspecting & Testing
- Step Four - AM2 Assessment/Installation Electrician
- Step Five - On-Site Experience/Approved Electrician
Tutors deliver the first stage of NVQ Level 3 Electrician training at our fully-equipped Options Skills training centres.
Over 30 days, you will learn skills ranging from health & safety and basic lighting circuits to EV (Electrical Vehicle) charging points and safe isolation.
To pass stage one, you will be required to pass assessments and demonstrate understanding, skills and competence through theory and practical units.
During stage one, you also will complete 18th edition wiring regulations. You will complete study for this via an online learning platform as ‘homework’ before undertaking an invigilated assessment.
Knowledge units are exams and assessments completed in the training centre, while you will complete performance units in the workplace during stage two.
To move forward to stage two, we will register you with JIB as an electrical trainee. With your ECS (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) Trainee Card, you will be able to seek paid employment to build your portfolio.
The second stage of NVQ Level 3 Electrical Training is portfolio building.
With your ECS Card acting as your passport to work, you can seek employment with an employer or agency. The Options Skills recruitment team can assist you in finding paid work. While on-site, you will collect evidence towards your NVQ Performance Units. You will receive assistance from our dedicated recruitment team at this stage.
The recruitment team works full time to build relationships with employers and contractors within the industry and successfully introduces Options Skills trainees to would-be employers. However, we cannot guarantee to find you employment, nor do we guarantee a specific salary. The purpose of both the Recruitment Team and Job Club is to demonstrate that employment opportunities exist for new entrant electricians. Although this is a free service designed to help you get your “foot on the employment ladder”, it is not infinite.
You are also free to attend one of the regular Job Clubs designed to help you with CV design, job search and interview techniques.
You must complete performance units while in the workplace. Performance units consist of practical work, evidence building for your portfolio and direct observation from an NVQ assessor.
Whilst working in the industry and building your portfolio, you will continue working on your knowledge units. These must be completed in your own time and returning to the centre for assessments. You will have access to an online Virtual Learning Environment, and your tutor and the electrical training team will help you complete these tasks.
The Inspection and Testing award allows electricians to demonstrate competency to inspect, test, report, and certify new (initial) and existing (periodic) electrical installations.
Testing and Inspection is an essential qualification that will form part of the suite of qualifications.
You will complete an online study programme, where a minimum of 20-hours of home study will be required. In addition, you must pass an online test before returning to the centre for a 5-day training and assessment programme.
Once ready, you will attend a five-day centre-led programme.
Days 1 & 2 – Tutor-led theory refresher training.
Day 3 – Tutor-led practical training. Practical Assessment 1
Day 4 – Morning – EAL mock online test Afternoon – EAL online test
Day 5 – Practical Assessment 2
Upon completing your NVQ Level 3 Electrical Training, Options Skills will refer you to undertake your AM2 (Achievement Measurement Test).
The AM2 is an independent assessment of your skills and knowledge that all trainees must undertake.
Once all four steps are complete, you can apply to JIB for your ECS Gold Card, gaining installation electrician status.
The final stage of training is obtaining your ECS Gold Card with Approved Electrician status.
To do so, you must have gained their NVQ Level 3 and Inspection & Testing qualifications and undertaken a minimum of two years of experience working as an electrician.
Ideally, you will have been working in a team-leader style role and taking on additional responsibilities - demonstrating your knowledge, skills and competence.
| Week 1 - Theory and Practical Workshop Training | |
| Monday | |
| AM Classroom | Introduction to the Electrical Course. |
| PM Workshop | Introduction to different cable types and how to strip and terminates cables. |
| Tuesday | |
| AM Classroom | Radial circuits, Ring Final circuits & Spurs. |
| PM Workshop | Installation of different types of electrical circuits including 1-way radial lighting circuits and ring final circuits for socket outlets. |
| Wednesday | |
| AM Classroom | Protection for Safety. |
| PM Workshop | Installation of different types of electrical circuits including 2-way & intermediate radial lighting circuits and ring final circuits for socket outlets. |
| Thursday | |
| AM Classroom | Introduction to consumer units. |
| PM Workshop | Installation of consumer units including circuit breakers, busbars, and cables. |
| Friday | |
| AM Classroom | Safe Isolation Procedure. |
| PM Workshop | Installation of consumer units including circuit breakers, busbars, and cables. |
| Trainees will also be registered for 18th Edition and receive log in details for 18th Edition Home Study during week 1. Candidates will be able to take 18th Edition assessment when they finish home study and are ready to take the invigilated exam. | |
The course syllabus is intended as a guide. Timings and delivery of course content is subject to change at the discretion of the Electrical Training Manager & Individual course tutors. |
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| Week 2 - Practical Workshop Training | |
| Monday | |
| AM Workshop | Installation of Domestic Electrical Installation in Workshop Bays. |
| PM Workshop | Outside lighting. |
| Tuesday | |
| AM Workshop | Installation of Domestic Electrical Installation in Workshop Bays. |
| PM Workshop | Outside lighting. |
| Wednesday | |
| AM Workshop | Installation of Domestic Electrical Installation in Workshop Bays. |
| PM Workshop | Outside lighting. |
| Thursday | |
| AM Workshop | Introduction to inspection & testing in workshop bays: |
| PM Workshop | Continuation of inspection & testing in workshop bays. |
| Friday | |
| AM Workshop | SWA cable termination and write ups |
| PM Workshop | Extra testing practice and tuition (if required) |
The course syllabus is intended as a guide. Timings and delivery of course content is subject to change at the discretion of the Electrical Training Manager & Individual course tutors. |
|
| Week 3 - NVQ Level 3 Theory & Practical Training/Assessment | |
| Monday | |
| AM Classroom | Introduction to the Electrical Course (NVQ 3 Diploma Units). |
| PM Workshop | Statutory regulations also applicable to working on site. First Aid and accident and emergency reporting and procedures. |
| Tuesday | |
| AM Classroom | Theory on knowledge unit 001. (for ECS Card) |
| PM Workshop | Risk assessment method statements. |
| Wednesday | |
| AM/PM Classroom | EAL Online mock exam 001 |
| Thursday | |
| AM Classroom | EAL Online actual exam 001 (for ECS Card) (35Q) (Pass rate 60%) |
| PM Workshop | Practical Workshop |
| Friday | |
| AM Workshop | Practical Workshop |
| PM Workshop | Measuring and cutting steel trunking |
The course syllabus is intended as a guide. Timings and delivery of course content is subject to change at the discretion of the Electrical Training Manager & Individual course tutors. |
|
| Week 4 - NVQ Level 3 Theory & Practical Training/Assessment | |
| Monday | |
| AM Classroom | Begin Theory for knowledge unit 005 – Learning terminations and connections of cables and containment systems |
| PM Classroom | Continue Theory for knowledge unit 005 – Learning terminations and connections of cables and containment systems |
| Tuesday | |
| AM Classroom | EAL online mock exam 005 – Break – EAL actual online exam 005 (25Q) Closed book – Pass rate 60% |
| PM Classroom | Begin Theory for knowledge unit 004a – Planning and design of installations |
| Wednesday | |
| AM Classroom | Continue theory for knowledge unit 004a – Planning and design of installations |
| PM Classroom | Continue theory for knowledge unit 004a – Planning and design of installations |
| Thursday | |
| AM Classroom | Begin Level 3 Award in the Requirements for the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points – This is a standalone qualification, includes demonstration, theory & regulation requirements for EV charging points. |
| PM Classroom | Continue Level 3 Award in the Requirements for the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points |
| Friday | |
| AM Classroom | Assessment Level 3 Award in the Requirements for the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points EAL online mock exam 004a |
| PM Classroom | EAL online actual exam 004a – (30Q) open book pass rate 60% |
The course syllabus is intended as a guide. Timings and delivery of course content is subject to change at the discretion of the Electrical Training Manager & Individual course tutors. |
|
| Week 5 - NVQ Level 3 Theory & Practical Training/Assessment | |
| Monday | |
| AM Workshop | Steel conduit, measure, fabricate 90° bend using different reference points, cut, thread, and install. |
| PM Workshop | Fabricate PVC conduit incorporating a bubble set to given dimensions and install. |
| Tuesday | |
| AM/PM Workshop | Install 5x wiring circuits to EAL assessment criteria using different types of wiring including
SWA, SY cable, single core, FP cable and Twin and Earth. |
| Wednesday | |
| AM Classroom | Practical demonstration of MICC cable termination, test for integrity, test for core continuity. |
| PM Assessment | Protective bonding assessment install of Gas and Water pipes |
| Thursday | |
| AM/PM Assessment | Complete 005 practical EAL paperwork. |
| Friday | |
| AM/PM Assessment | Resits (as necessary) |
The course syllabus is intended as a guide. Timings and delivery of course content is subject to change at the discretion of the Electrical Training Manager & Individual course tutors. |
|
| Week 6 - NVQ Level 3 Theory & Practical Training/Assessment | |
| Monday | |
| AM Classroom | Introduction to Environmental Technology Unit 002 |
| PM Classroom | Continue Theory 002 |
| Tuesday | |
| AM/PM Classroom | Continue Theory 002 |
| Wednesday | |
| AM Classroom | Mock Exam 002 |
| PM Classroom | Actual Exam 002 |
| Thursday | |
| AM Classroom | Actual Exam 002 |
| PM Classroom | Theory Transformers |
| Friday | |
| AM/PM Assessment | 008A practical Assessment. Resits if necessary. |
The course syllabus is intended as a guide. Timings and delivery of course content is subject to change at the discretion of the Electrical Training Manager & Individual course tutors. |
|
Syllabus updated on: 14/10/2021
The course syllabus is intended as a guide. Timings and delivery of course content is subject to change at the discretion of the Electrical Training Manager & Individual course tutors.
Up to 31st December 2020 Regulated qualifications and UKAS Accredited certificates of competence issued in the UK were widely recognised by other EU member states. However since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, individual member states that previously recognised a UK qualification may now no longer do so. Learners undertaking qualifications on the basis that it is recognised by an EU member state should in the first instance make enquiries with the relevant bodies in that Country to confirm its recognition status.
Prompt payment only.
The industry is characterised by poor service and unreliability. Consumers are wary of who they appoint and often find it difficult to find trustworthy tradespeople. When they do, they use them again and again and recommend them to other people.
The size and maturity of the sector combined with the failure of the general competition to meet customer expectations represent a real opportunity to profit from a professional and customer-focused local service.
A shortage of skilled workers and an increase in new housing being built means that electricians are in high demand. Those currently in the trade are earning far beyond the average UK salary, averaging around £30,784 (source: Office of National Statistics)
For more information, read How Much Can I Earn As An Electrician?
By registering you with the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme as a trainee during step one, Options Skills provide you with the opportunity to earn while you're working towards your Gold Card. During the time in which you’re working on-site to gain experience, Options Skills will be available for help and assistance, with drop-in sessions and Skype and email support also available.
When you’re ready, having done sufficient work experience, Options Skills will put you forward for your AM2 assessment. Passing this allows you to apply for your gold card – and it with this that you can be awarded the title of installation electrician.
The first part of your knowledge units will be undertaken in one of the Options Skills training centres in either Birmingham, London or Manchester. The rest of the knowledge units will be undertaken in your own time during step two of the course.
For these units, you will need to collect evidence of yourself performing a range of electrical work, creating a portfolio. You will need to take photographs and produce write-ups about the work you have done.
An NVQ assessor will visit you on-site a minimum of twice during this time to check your progress and perform assessments.
Whether you have no experience in the trades industry, have already obtained tech certificates or have previously worked on-site as a labourer, we can help you gain your NVQ Level 3.
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