There are various routes available for those considering a career as an electrician, each with its own pros and cons.
One of the key considerations that’ll factor into many people’s decisions is the length of time they’ll need to spend training before becoming a fully qualified electrician.
If efficiency is indeed a priority and you want a training route that will lead to becoming fully qualified in as short a time as possible, then completing a package course with a training provider is likely your best option.
What routes can be taken to become a fully qualified electrician?
To make things simple, we’ve used obtaining a JIB Gold Card as the marker for being deemed a fully qualified ‘approved electrician’. To reach this level, a person must first achieve a Level 3 NVQ in an electrotechnical field.
An equivalent qualification can also be accepted — this could be a formal UK electrotechnical apprenticeship or an existing qualification that is recognised as an NVQ Level 3 equivalent.
Training courses versus apprenticeships
While apprenticeships do have the benefit of being paid while you learn, they can take anywhere between 3-4 years to complete, making it a huge commitment in terms of time before reaching qualification.
There is also no guarantee of being accepted onto an apprenticeship scheme immediately, which could increase timescales even further, and the pay rate for apprentices is typically low throughout this learning period.
While completing a course with a private provider comes with an initial investment, it significantly reduces the overall time you’ll need to spend training before stepping into the industry and seeking employment. Able Skills also offers flexible payment options, making the cost of electrical training more manageable.
How quickly can you train as an electrician?
Given that there are different levels of accreditation within the electrical industry, this can vary depending on your desired level of qualification.
However, if you were to complete the dedicated Gold Card Approved Electrician package, your initial learning can be completed in around 14 weeks. Once this training period is completed, you’ll need to undertake your NVQ and AM2 assessments, which can be done at a time to suit you.
The JIB Gold Card is proof that an individual has completed a Level 3 competency-based course with an accredited training provider, allowing the holder to carry out work unsupervised on the installation, commissioning and maintenance of low-voltage electrical and electronic equipment and appliances.
Are you interested in kick starting your career as an electrician? Find out more about electrical training at Able Skills here, or give us a call on 01322 280 202 and one of the team will be happy to advise.