NICEIC has announced the addition of the Installation Electrician Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) to its training portfolio.
This industry-approved pathway offers experienced electricians, who might not have completed an apprenticeship or secured a Level 3 vocational qualification (or equivalent), a formal means to validate their competence and industry experience.
Candidates applying to undertake the Installation Electrician EWA must have at least five years of proven experience working as an electrician (excluding any time spent in training) and must hold a Level 2 electrical qualification.
Acquiring the EWA and its endpoint assessment is recognised in the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification as equivalent to an industry apprenticeship, meeting the application criteria for electrical certification bodies such as NICEIC. Furthermore, the assessment meets the requirements for an Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) gold card.
NICEIC Technical Director, Paul Collins says, “It is essential that the industry values the role of all experienced electricians and that options are available to those who need their skills formally recognised.
“The industry has taken great strides in raising standards in recent years following the introduction of the updated Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS), which tightened the entry criteria for certification bodies and the like.
“We now need to focus on ensuring those experienced electricians who currently fall outside of the criteria due to a lack of formal qualification can be included.’’
“However, this must be done in a way which protects the industry’s integrity and guarantees everyone meets the same high standards. The EWA does just that, which is why we are adding it to our product offering.”
As part of the process, candidates must compile a portfolio of work and undertake practical assessments. On completion of this phase, participants will be required to pass an AM2E assessment, which mirrors the AM2S assessment taken by apprentices at the end of their training.
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