The EAS Management Committee recently agreed the following notification, issued by Awarding Organisations City & Guilds, EAL and LCL to their training centres, highlighting that short-course periodic inspection and testing qualifications are not suitable for new entrants. Only suitable learners (i.e. those who already have relevant Level 3 vocational electrotechnical qualifications and experience) should be enrolled.
Electrical apprenticeships and Experienced Worker Assessments (EWA ) are unaffected. Electrical apprentices develop occupational competence in a supervised workplace environment. Experienced Worker Assessments are designed to recognise occupational competence in the workplace. Both training routes have robust AM2 end point assessment.
TESP strongly welcomes this communication. We continue to raise awareness via our Rogue Trainers campaign of training providers who sell periodic inspection and testing courses on a standalone basis or in ‘bundles’ containing these courses, targeting learners with no electrical qualifications and experience, wrongly promoting them as suitable for beginners.
The full text is below:
“The Electrotechnical Assessment Management Committee is reviewing the competence requirements for periodic inspection and testing activity to improve quality and safety. Awarding Organisations are represented on this committee and part of the working group reviewing competence standards, qualifications, and training. We want to inform centres of their responsibility to ensure that only suitable learners are enrolled on periodic inspection and testing qualifications.
Periodic inspection and testing qualifications are intended for electricians that hold relevant Level 3 electrotechnical qualifications, who want to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD), learn new skills, and enhance their understanding of periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations.
These periodic inspection and testing qualifications must NOT be taken by learners new to the industry who do not possess sufficient skills, knowledge, and experience to undertake inspection and testing safely and competently. These qualifications are also not suitable for learners with limited experience of working in the electrotechnical sector, or who do not already hold relevant Level 3 electrotechnical qualifications. Centres should conduct a thorough initial assessment of applicants to establish that their current skills, knowledge, and experience is sufficient prior to qualification enrolment.
These qualifications should be appropriately marketed and should not be included in any packages or bundles aimed at new entrants.
The EAS Qualifications Guide provides detailed information on suitable qualifications for the purpose of initial assessments.”
