Q. What is the ‘Electrician Plus’ campaign that I keep hearing about? Is it a new scheme I will need to join?
In short, no, it’s not an individual accreditation scheme. The term ‘Electrician Plus’ is a concept developed to highlight how the core skills of a qualified electrician are essential to low carbon technology installation. With underpinning core electrical competence, all that is needed is to top-up qualifications in relevant areas such as solar PV, electrical vehicle charging equipment (EVCE) and energy storage systems.
It’s essential for public safety that anyone installing such technologies is properly qualified and competent. Terms like ‘solar installer’ are not recognised as a separate occupation – those who undertake short courses in these areas without the underpinning core electrical competence can pose a public safety risk, and these people will be installing without robust training and assessment of their electrotechnical skills or knowledge.
TESP is working closely with the Building Safety Regulator to finalise the development of the Mandatory Technical Competencies (MTCs) that underpin Competent Persons Schemes. New low carbon MTC categories will align with the Electrician Plus model, supporting installation by qualified electricians.
Once the MTCs are updated, the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification will also be updated. The accompanying EAS Qualifications Guide will also reference valid low carbon qualifications.
If you’re already a qualified electrician, there are top-up solar PV, EV and energy storage qualifications from awarding bodies such as City & Guilds, EAL and BPEC. They’re designed so that only electricians who meet the industry Level 3 standard can enrol on these courses.
The Electrician Plus logo will be used to endorse relevant qualifications to show they are industry approved in terms of content and assessment.
Get more information on the Electrician Plus concept here
