Electrician
A practical and highly in-demand trade focusing on electrical power, wiring, and installation.
Area
Detail
Pathway
GCSEs → Apprenticeship (or full-time college course) → NVQ Level 3 Diploma → AM2 Assessment → Qualified Electrician → Optional further training/specialisation (e.g. inspection & testing, renewable energy systems).
Possible alternative pathways
Full-time college course (Level 2 & 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation) → Work experience → NVQ Level 3.
GCSE grades necessary
Minimum of 4s/5s (C grade) in Maths, English, and Science are preferred. Mathematics and Physics are especially useful due to technical problem-solving and electrical theory content.
Degree
No — electricians qualify through apprenticeships or technical/vocational routes.
Accreditations needed
NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation or equivalent, AM2 (Achievement Measurement 2) assessment, ECS Card, 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). Optional: Inspection & Testing (City & Guilds 2391).
Courses to do (post-graduate)
City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection & Testing), City & Guilds 2396 (Design & Verification). Renewable Technologies. Level 4–5 qualifications in Electrical Engineering for supervisory roles.
Courses/prep work to do now
Focus on Maths, Science, and practical problem-solving. Consider short taster courses. Gain basic hands-on experience through work experience placements.
Average salary
Average salaryApprentice: £12,000–£20,000. Qualified Electrician: £30,000–£45,000. Self-employed/experienced: £45,000–£60,000+ depending on contracts and region.
Electrician
A practical and highly in-demand trade focusing on electrical power, wiring, and installation.
Area
Detail
Pathway
GCSEs → Apprenticeship (or full-time college course) → NVQ Level 3 Diploma → AM2 Assessment → Qualified Electrician → Optional further training/specialisation (e.g. inspection & testing, renewable energy systems).
Possible alternative pathways
Full-time college course (Level 2 & 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation) → Work experience → NVQ Level 3.
GCSE grades necessary
Minimum of 4s/5s (C grade) in Maths, English, and Science are preferred. Mathematics and Physics are especially useful due to technical problem-solving and electrical theory content.
Degree
No — electricians qualify through apprenticeships or technical/vocational routes.
Accreditations needed
NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation or equivalent, AM2 (Achievement Measurement 2) assessment, ECS Card, 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). Optional: Inspection & Testing (City & Guilds 2391).
Courses to do (post-graduate)
City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection & Testing), City & Guilds 2396 (Design & Verification). Renewable Technologies. Level 4–5 qualifications in Electrical Engineering for supervisory roles.
Courses/prep work to do now
Focus on Maths, Science, and practical problem-solving. Consider short taster courses. Gain basic hands-on experience through work experience placements.
Average salary
Average salaryApprentice: £12,000–£20,000. Qualified Electrician: £30,000–£45,000. Self-employed/experienced: £45,000–£60,000+ depending on contracts and region.
Electrician
A practical and highly in-demand trade focusing on electrical power, wiring, and installation.
Area
Detail
Pathway
GCSEs → Apprenticeship (or full-time college course) → NVQ Level 3 Diploma → AM2 Assessment → Qualified Electrician → Optional further training/specialisation (e.g. inspection & testing, renewable energy systems).
Possible alternative pathways
Full-time college course (Level 2 & 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation) → Work experience → NVQ Level 3.
GCSE grades necessary
Minimum of 4s/5s (C grade) in Maths, English, and Science are preferred. Mathematics and Physics are especially useful due to technical problem-solving and electrical theory content.
Degree
No — electricians qualify through apprenticeships or technical/vocational routes.
Accreditations needed
NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation or equivalent, AM2 (Achievement Measurement 2) assessment, ECS Card, 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). Optional: Inspection & Testing (City & Guilds 2391).
Courses to do (post-graduate)
City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection & Testing), City & Guilds 2396 (Design & Verification). Renewable Technologies. Level 4–5 qualifications in Electrical Engineering for supervisory roles.
Courses/prep work to do now
Focus on Maths, Science, and practical problem-solving. Consider short taster courses. Gain basic hands-on experience through work experience placements.
Average salary
Average salaryApprentice: £12,000–£20,000. Qualified Electrician: £30,000–£45,000. Self-employed/experienced: £45,000–£60,000+ depending on contracts and region.