The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme has announced some important changes to the scheme that will take effect from 2019 across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These new rules will apply to existing cardholders and those wishing to apply to the scheme for the first time.
From 01 January 2019, anyone applying for an Installation or Maintenance Electrician gold card for the first time will be required to sign up to Registered Electrician status. This means the applicant must be qualified to the current edition of BS7671 (the Wiring Regulations) when the application is made and sign up to a Code of Professional Practice, in addition to holding the minimum qualifications required for the card.
From 01 July 2019, any existing Installation or Maintenance Electrician gold card holders who have let their card lapse for more than a year will be required to renew as a Registered Electrician.
01 July 2019 is also the deadline for Registered Electricians who have qualified to the 17th Edition of BS7671 to achieve a qualification in the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS7671:2018), which will be published on 02 July 2018.
The changes are being introduced to promote and underpin the status of Registered Electrician, recognising those electricians who are not only working to the NVQ Level 3 standard, but also meet the latest British Standard (BS7671) for electrical installation.
“If you’re working at this level, you should be proud of the time and effort you’ve put into your skills, continuing professional development and professionalism so far,” said Steve Brawley, Chief Executive of the JIB. “These updates to the scheme – backed by employers and employees via ECA and Unite the Union – will raise standards and make the Registered Electrician the industry benchmark in the future.”
The ECS will advise its cardholders on appropriate training courses in the 18th Edition as soon as details are available from awarding organisations and training providers.
More details on these changes will be announced throughout 2018. A section on the ECS website has been set up to provide more information – www.ecscard.org.uk/new-rules
