New year brings new industry regulations and new qualifications

(06/02/2008)

For those who work or train in the electrical and building services industries, 2008 is set to bring more than party poppers and a handful of New Year resolutions. The new IEE wiring regulations, which were unveiled in January, mark the most significant overhaul of the electrical safety system in nearly twenty years.

The ‘17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (BS7671:2008)’ include changes to everything from drawings for electrical installations, through to general use sockets, mobile equipment and bathroom circuits.

This means that those connected to the sector, including contractors, employers and the organisations responsible for their education and training, will have just six months to get their house in order before the new standards take effect from 1st July 2008.

To help address the need for the new skills, EAL, a leading UK body for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and their Scottish equivalents, has launched a series of Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs), which specifically support BS7671:2008.

Their development follows months of research and consultation with individuals and organisations such as NICEIC, JIB and the ECA, the UK's leading trade association for electrical installation and building services industries.

EAL point out that they have developed suitable qualifications for all levels of existing experience, so that qualified electricians, those returning to the trade and new apprentices who are looking to enter the profession, will be job ready.

EAL’s Managing Director, Ann Watson, explains: “We already have a first class reputation based on our existing qualifications and our levels of customer service. We’ve gone to great lengths to find out what we could do to support those in the industry and to help make sure that they will have the right skills and qualifications in place.

“The result is a series of vocationally related qualifications which are flexible and follow a simple assessment process. For example, employers and contractors and those working in the training and education sector wanted external assessments which can be carried out through multiple choice question papers online or in a written format.

“We’re also providing a specially tailored training option in conjunction with the ECA, which features a self-study assessment-only option for UK registered gold or platinum Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) cardholders.”

Guidance on delivering the new suite of 17th Edition qualifications is now available from the EAL website, including details of prerequisites, qualification design and content, and methods of assessment.

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