If you work on commercial sites or subcontract to larger contractors , the chances are you ’ ll be asked for an ECS card . But what does the card represent ? And what is the process that sits behind each application ? ECS stands for the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme – it ’ s a partner of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme ( CSCS ), so anyone in an electrotechnical related occupation who ’ s told ‘ you need a CSCS card ’ – the ECS scheme is the one to apply for .
However , the overriding thing to bear in mind is that the ECS is a certification scheme , not a card application scheme . Each applicant has their skills assessed and certified based on the qualifications evidence they submit .
The card they receive represents the grade they have been awarded following this skills certification process – so for instance Installation Electrician , Maintenance Electrician , Site Manager , Datacomms Installer and so on .
A common misconception that has grown over the years is that people think simply : ‘ I would like a gold card , here ’ s my application and money .’
Unfortunately , it ’ s not as simple as that . In order for the scheme to be robust and unbiased , the decision on what grade and , ultimately , which card an applicant receives is based purely on the evidence they can provide to show which qualifications they hold .
This means the industry , clients and employers can have confidence that if a person is holding a particular card , it means they have the skills in line with the occupation listed on that card .
The standard you need to be certified as an Installation Electrician and receive an ECS gold card is NVQ Level 3 . So even if you trained decades ago , providing you gained what was seen at the industry recognised standard at the time , you would be eligible provided you can supply proof of your qualifications .
We often get asked : Who sets these standards ? Whilst the Joint Industry Board ( JIB ) and Scottish JIB jointly own the ECS , we do not sit in an ivory tower and determine what constitutes a qualified electrician . That judgment is made by a collaboration of industry employees and employers via Unite the Union , Electrical Contractors ’ Association ( ECA ) and SELECT – this group convenes and agrees the rules of ECS and what qualifications are required at each level .
|
The NVQ Level 3 – and its predecessors in their time – is judged as the current industry standard as it combines practical skills , knowledge and experience . These three elements together provide a structure of the key responsibilities necessary in any activities and tasks carried out when working unsupervised on electrotechnical systems .
Whilst the industry ideal is for everyone to hold this qualification , we appreciate that this is not currently the case . There are thousands of electricians around the UK who have learnt on the job , perhaps undertaking a theory based qualification at college , and have been operating like this for many years .
It can be frustrating for someone in this situation who may indeed be running a successful business , but just does not have the NVQ Level 3 standard to back up an ECS application for installation electrician and , ultimately , the gold card .
To help these people there are a number of options available to get them certified by ECS . One route is to apply into the scheme to have their skills certified with their current qualifications – they may not receive the gold card , but will still receive an award , perhaps Experienced Worker , Labourer or Trainee depending on what evidence is provided . This
|
‘ The ECS is a certification scheme , not a card application scheme .’ |
provides a card to allow the individual to get on site , which is often the most pressing aim .
Once the individual gains more qualifications they can update their certification with ECS and , if they qualify to NVQ Level 3 , upgrade to a gold card .
If it ’ s the Installation Electrician standard and gold card that is needed , we have developed a route that helps the individual reach the required standard .
The Mature Candidate Assessment is available from a number of training providers across the country . It involves meeting with a specialist assessor to examine your existing experience and qualifications , and completing an assessment programme that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills .
As part of the assessment , the candidate needs to sit the industry benchmark AM2 test , which is the independent assessment of occupational competence . The assessor will also need to visit a site to verify your work and you must also supply witness testimonials of previous work .
Once the assessment has been passed , it gives you a qualification equal to NVQ Level 3 standard , allowing you to be certified as Installation Electrician and receive an ECS gold card .
We hope that by raising awareness of the scheme and how it works , we can help electricians and electrical contractors fully understand what ’ s involved as part of the application process and what they need in order to successfully certify their skills .
|