If you're considering a career change and want to become an electrician, fast-track training is your route to getting qualified, on your terms. 

Job insecurity, burnout, or boredom? Whatever the reason you’re looking for a career change, learning a trade is always a good idea. It can offer solid earning potential, good prospects, and a career for life, with the bonus of being fairly resilient to the threat of AI. Electricians are no exception. It’s a trade that continues to see strong demand – we'll always need a sparky!   

But if you’re too old for college and can’t take the time or the pay cut to do an apprenticeship, what do you do?  

Fast-track electrician training offers an alternative route into the industry. They provide a trusted, structured pathway that maps out your journey to your new career, step by step, getting the certificates, training, and experience you need to start working and get fully qualified.  

The pathway to becoming an electrician 

  1. City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation (Buildings and structures) (2365-02) 
  1. City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation (Buildings and structures) (2365-03) 
  1. 18th Edition Wiring Regulations – (City & Guilds 2382:22) 

→ At this point, you’ll need to start working in the industry, so you can register for your NVQ and start collecting evidence.  

  1. NVQ Level 3 (City & Guilds 2357) 
  1. AM2 Assessment 

→ At this point, you’ll meet the requirements for ECS/JIB Gold Card registration.  

How long does it take to become an electrician?  

With options for full-time, part-time (weekends) or home study, the training really is on your terms.   

If you’re focused and committed, a prompt pathway is entirely achievable.  As an example, at Able Skills, level 2 and level 3 each take 7 weeks full-time. The 18th Edition and the AM2 are both 3 days.  It's difficult to put any timing on the NVQ, as this is in your hands. You'll need to secure work and gain site experience where you’ll apply your knowledge and skills, develop speed and document evidence so you can prove your competence.  

Is this route right for you? 

This route to becoming an electrician offers an alternative to going back to college or a lengthy apprenticeship.  

It means you can: 

  • Retrain for a new career on your own terms 
  • Maintain earnings while you’re learning 
  • Plot your progression step-by-step 
  • Learn in a controlled environment 
  • Gain experience on-site 
  • Achieve industry-recognised qualifications 
  • Get ready to build a career as an electrician  

Gold Card Electrician training at Able Skills 

If you’re serious about changing careers to become an electrician, our Gold Card Electrician training package covers all qualifications you’ll need to meet the requirements of a JIB/ECS Gold Card.  

Got a question about how to become an electrician? 

Contact us 01322 280 202 | hello@ableskills.co.uk