If you're a working electrician, find out how you could increase your earnings with some extra training

As a working electrician, you might be looking for ways to enhance your career and earning potential. Here at the Able Skills training centre, students are learning new skills through our electrician courses every single day.

Students and instructors working in the electrical training centre at Able Skills

And it's never too late to learn more. Whatever your existing qualifications, age or role in the electrical industry, there is always room to improve. Gaining new qualifications, skills and confidence in your ability could drastically change your career prospects and influence your earnings.

The electrical industry needs new skills and new electricians

With construction output increasing, commercial jobs, domestic demand and more activity in the industry overall, there simply are not enough electricians in the UK. This continued skills shortage means that those with the right skills may find themselves in a favourable position when it comes to finding work opportunities.

Expanding your skills can allow you to take on new opportunities that you might not have considered before. Whether that’s transitioning to self-employment or moving into a whole new role within the electrical installation trade. The industry not only needs more electricians, but it also needs more advanced skills. Taking on further training will see you experience more avenues of work and therefore the ability to earn more.

Ways to earn more as an electrician

Increase your credibility as an electrician

Reputation is important in all trades. If you are working as an electrician and have not yet completed an NVQ, then now could be the time! The reason most people set out on the path to completing their NVQ Level 3 is to meet the criteria to become an ‘ECS Registered Electrician’ (this is referred to as ECS Gold Card or JIB Gold Card).

After completing an NVQ in electrics and holding a recognised 18th Edition Wiring Regulations qualification, you are eligible for a JIB Gold Card/ECS Gold Card. The card identifies you as a fully qualified electrician, allowing you to work on many sites around the country

electrician courses

Once you successfully complete your Level 3 NVQ you can apply for the card at ecscard.org/register. You will need to provide proof that you meet the criteria and have the right qualifications for the card you're applying for. You can upload these as scans or good-quality digital photographs. 

Advance your career as an electrician

For those who have been working in the industry for a number of years, you may want to consider a new role. You may want to progress into a management role. In this type of role is where you would get to design the electrical systems being used in the industry as well as install them. To do this you would need a Level 4 Award in the Design and Verification of Electrical Installations.

Within the electrical industry this award is seen as a prestigious qualification. This is reflected in the challenging nature of the course and assessment. However, at Able Skills we make the process as simple as possible over the 5-days. The course is completely theory orientated and is assessed via a 3-hour written exam set by City & Guilds. You will also need to complete a design project for which the minimum recommended time is 40- hours. This is carried out in your own time.

Although this is a more advanced course our electrical experts have been teaching the award for many years. They understand how to relay the right information to our students. Structured revision assistance is provided to get you up to speed. And you will receive all of the guidance you could possibly need from our assessors.

Find out what you can learn with Able Skills

If you would like to learn more about the different City & Guilds Electrician training courses that we offer, you are welcome to call us anytime on 01322 280 202. Our office team are on hand to talk in more detail about how specific courses work and the best route to take when looking to achieve a certain role within the trade.

You are also welcome to come and visit our training centre anytime. Our office here in Dartford, Kent is open 7-days-a-week between 8:30 & 16:30. Whilst here you can speak to a member of staff in person and get a sense of what we have to offer by having a look around our facilities for yourself.

Editor's note: This post was originally published 20 July 2021. Updated 11 July 2025.