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Do I need an Electrical Installation NVQ 3?

For some time, the electrical industry has been raising the benchmark regarding qualifications and experience required to become a qualified electrician or a Qualifying Supervisor. 

With new qualifications, such as the City & Guilds 2921-31 EV Charging course, the benchmark is now also being raised regarding who is eligible to attend shorter CPD courses. For example, anyone taking the new Electric Vehicle Charging course must prove they have an ECS Gold card or a recognised NVQ 3. There are very few alternative routes.

Having an NVQ 3 in Electrical Installation is increasingly necessary for:

How will an NVQ 3 benefit you?

In addition to the above requirements for an NVQ 3, you will benefit by having a qualification that reflects your experience and distinguishes you from improvers and labourers. 

Many operatives working in the electrical industry have completed electrical courses at a local college or training provider. Qualifications alone do not make an electrician. An NVQ 3 qualified electrician must prove that they have experience across a broad range of electrical installation work, inspection & testing and fault finding.

Having an NVQ 3 ensures that you will not miss out on future opportunities as the requirements for graded electricians become ever more critical.

What can you do?

Put simply, if you are not eligible for an ECS card and do not already have an NVQ 3, you will need to complete an NVQ 3 qualification. This requirement is sometimes not received well by those who have worked in the industry for many years and feel they are already qualified. 

Fortunately, you do not need to start your training again but may be able to access the Experienced Worker Assessment, which recognises the skills and qualifications that you have worked hard for.

What is the Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA)?

The EWA is an NVQ 3 qualification explicitly designed for those operatives that:

The EWA is an assessment programme to recognise the experience, knowledge and skills you have achieved during your electrical career.  

You need to complete four elements before achieving the EWA NVQ 3 and being eligible for the Electricians ECS Gold card.

1. City & Guilds 2346-03 Level 3 Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Qualification (Level 3 Performance Units)

Evidence of competent performance on site. This is a process of showing your NVQ assessor that your can work independently on a range of electrical installation work to the required standard. You will be observed working on site and will be asked to take photos of other work that can be reviewed with your assessor.

2. 18th Edition Wiring Regulations

You will need to show that you have current knowledge of BS7671 18th Edition Wiring Regulations - typically, this will require a City & Guilds 2382-18 or 2382-22 certificate

3. Inspection and Testing

You will need to show that you have completed a recognised Level 3 inspection and testing qualification such as 2391-10, 2391-01, 2391-50 Initial Verification or 2392-52 Combined.

4. AM2e Assessment

This AM2 variant is only available to EWA candidates and can only be taken on completion of the Experienced Worker Qualification.

The full details of this Assessment can be found on the NET website. The Assessment will typically last between 2.5 - 3 days and can be completed at the Rebus Training AM2 centre in Stoke on Trent. The following sections all need to be passed:

Section A: Safe Isolation and Risk Assessment -= 45 mins

Sections A2-A6: Composite Installation – 10 hours

Section B: Inspection, Testing and Certification – 3.5 hours

Section C: Safe Isolation of Circuits – 30 mins

Section D: Fault Diagnosis and Rectification – 2 hours

Section E: Assessment of Applied Knowledge – 1 hour

How do I start the EWA programme?

Step 1
Firstly complete the EWA Skills Scan and EWA Candidate Background form. These forms will help you decide if the NVQ is the right path for you and help your chosen training centre confirm that you are eligible. 

Step 2
Provide copies of your relevant technical qualifications

Step 3
Agree on a training and assessment plan. You may already have your 18th edition and inspection and testing qualifications, but you will need to undertake the assessments for your NVQ 3 and plan how you will meet the range of work required.

Step 4
Most training centres will provide you with an online portfolio to use. Rebus Training uses a system called OneFile. Using an phone APP or your computer, you can upload any photographs you take of your work directly into the portfolio for your assessor to check. 

All your assessments will be stored on this system, so you can check your progress whenever you want to.


Starting an NVQ 3 can feel daunting whether you are an apprentice or in the latter stages of your career. If you want to discuss the NVQ 3 and your requirements in more detail, please get in touch with our training team on 01782 976555.

Not eligible for the EWA scheme?

For those candidates that are not eligible for the Experienced Worker Assessment we also offer NVQ's for apprentices and other students that have no previous qualifications or are part qualified. Please call for details.

Rebus Training is approved to deliver:

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