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Electrical – Labourer
New requirements are in place for Electrical Labourer card applications and renewals - see below for full details.
The Electrical Labourer ECS card is for people working in the electrical industry in a supportive role to assist electricians and other qualified staff with the installation of cables and other unskilled work, under supervision. They are to assist but not carry out any craft work that an electrician carries out.
Eligibility and requirements
Route 1: Do you already have a JIB-approved electrical theory qualification?
- If you already have a qualification such as C&G 2365, 2330 or 2360 (or EAL equivalents), this will be accepted for your card. View a full list of approved qualifications(Only the health and safety element of these qualifications is recognised by the JIB for a Labourer card).
- You will also need to pass the ECS Health, Safety & Environmental Assessment.
Route 2: If you don’t hold a JIB-approved theory qualification:
If you don’t hold a JIB-approved electrical theory qualification, you’ll need the following:
- Successful completion of ONE of the following Health & Safety courses:
- CITB Health and Safety Awareness: Site Safety Plus (both classroom and remotely invigilated versions)
- CCNSG Safety Passport – National Course or Renewal Course
- Safety Passport Alliance (SPA) Core H&S Course
- IOSH Working Safely (IOSH Approved Centre Classroom invigilated exam only – not online)
- IOSH Safety, Health & Environment for Construction Site Workers – (IOSH Approved Centre Classroom Invigilated Exam ONLY)
- Proof of engagement in the electrotechnical industry
Apprentice Card
The Apprentice ECS card is for students undertaking any electrical/electronic advanced apprenticeship.
Eligibility and requirements
To be eligible for an ECS Apprentice card, applicants must:
- Be be employed and undertaking an electrical or electrotechnical Advanced Apprenticeship
- Provide a copy of their Training Agreement to support their application
- Hold a current ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment (there are no exemptions for direct ECS Apprentice card applications). For more details visit the ECS H&S Assessment
Trainee electrician
The Trainee Electrician ECS card is for trainees that are not undertaking an apprenticeship but are following a formal JIB industry training programme that will lead to an ECS Gold Card.
Eligibility and requirements
To be eligible for an ECS Trainee Electrician card, applicants must:
- Be a trainee who is not on an Advanced Apprenticeship training programme and is able to provide evidence that they are on a formal industry training programme leading to an ECS Gold Card.
- Supply one of the following sets of documentation (shown below), which will determine the level of trainee electrician card awarded.
- Have passed the ECS Health, Safety & Environmental Assessment. For more details visit the ECS H&S Assessment
Documentation to supply:
Trainee Electrician (Stage 1):
Scheme entry at Stage 1 requires the following:
- Employer’s sponsorship
- A copy of a formal industry training agreement that shows enrolment on a training programme leading to the requirements of an ECS Gold Card
- The ECS Health, Safety & Environmental Assessment, or if being registered by the training provider the first scheme unit covering Health and Safety legislation, practices and procedures
Trainee Electrician (Stage 2):
Employer’s sponsorship and ONE of the following:
- City & Guilds 2330 Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology at Level 2 or
- City & Guilds 236 Part 1 or
- City & Guilds 2360 Part 1 or
- City & Guilds 2351 Units 1, 2, 3 & 4 or
- City and Guilds 2365-02 Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation (Buildings and Structures) (600/5498/0) or
- EAL Diploma in Electrotechnical Services Units 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 or
- EAL Level 2 Diploma In Electrical Installation (QCF) (600/6724/X) or
- EAL Level 2 Intermediate Diploma in Electrical Installation (601/4561/4)
Trainee Electrician (Stage 3):
- Employer’s sponsorship
- Evidence that you are working towards the AM2 and Level 3 NVQ in your chosen field
- And ONE of the following:
- City & Guilds 2330 Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology at both Level 2 and Level 3 or
- City & Guilds 236 Parts 1 and 2 or
- City & Guilds 2360 Parts 1 and 2 or
- City & Guilds 2351 (All eight Units) or
- City and Guilds 2365-03 Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation (Buildings and Structures) 600/5499/2 or
- City and Guilds 8202-30 Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Electrical Installation (Tecbac) (601/7307/5) or
- EAL Diploma in Electrotechnical Services Level 3 (All ten Units) (500/3526/5) or
- EAL Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation (QCF) (600/9331/6) or
- EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation (601/4563/8)
Work experience
The ECS Industry Placement Card has been designed for electrotechnical students to attend formal work placements and courses such as T Levels, degree sandwich courses and other activities which involve work experience requirements on a site or project. This card is valid for three years.
Eligibility and requirements
The training provider must have an agreement with the JIB to provide this Industry Placement Card for their students.
Gold card – Electrical Installation
The Installation Electrician ECS gold card is for Level 3 competency based (NVQ) skilled individuals who work unsupervised on the installation, commissioning and maintenance of low voltage electrical and electronic equipment and appliances in a consumer’s electrical installation.
Eligibility and requirements
To be eligible for an ECS Installation Electrician gold card, applicants must meet the following criteria and provide proof of:
- A JIB recognised UK Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard or JIB approved UK competency based qualification (NVQ).
- Hold a current ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment.
- 18th Edition Training and Assessment guidance
Black card – Manager
New requirements are in place for ECS Manager card applications and renewals - see below for full details.
The following management occupations are available:
- Electrical Site Manager
- Electrical Contract Manager
- Site Manager
- Project Manager
- Contract Manager
Eligibility and requirements
If you are making an initial application for an ECS Managers card you will need to meet both Technical and Health & Safety qualification requirements plus hold an ECS HS&E assessment.
1. Technical Requirement
You must meet one of the following technical requirements:
Route 1: If you have or meet gold card requirements
If you already have an ECS gold card as an installation or maintenance electrician, or meet the requirements, you are eligible to apply for a Manager’s card. You will also need a Health & Safety qualification as described below.
Route 2: Level 4 management qualification
You can also apply for a Manager’s card with a management qualification at Level 4 or above such as BTEC, Management diploma or degree. You will also need a Health & Safety qualification as described below.
2. Health & Safety qualification requirements
Whether you meet either technical requirement route 1 or route 2 you will also need to hold a Health and Safety qualification at Level 4 or above such as:
- Construction Skills (CITB) Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)
- IOSH Safety, Health & Environment for Construction Site Managers
- CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)
- CCNSG Safety Passport – Supervising / Leading a Team Safety Course
- IOSH Safety for Directors
- NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety
- UK Degree level Health and Safety qualification
- AND ECS HS&E Assessment (only if you’re not exempt by taking one of these courses)
To complete your application you will need the ECS HS&E assessment. However, if the health and safety qualification you hold is accepted as a 3-year exemption from the ECS HS&E Assessment you will not need to sit the ECS Assessment separately when you apply.
Existing Cardholders:
Your existing card is still valid until its expiry date.
If your renewal date is before July 2021 then you will have a choice whether to renew your card or move over to the new card requirements above. We recommend that you move to the new card requirements as soon as possible. All existing cardholders will need to meet new requirements when their card is renewed after July 2021.
Once you have met the new requirements the normal renewal cycle will be in place when your card reaches its expiry date.
