The qualifications required of an electrician will depend completely on the type of work you plan on carrying out, and the environment in which it will be undertaken.
Typically speaking, commercial electrical work requires a higher level of training and qualifications in comparison to domestic work, due to the scale and complexity of the challenges involved.
The JIB Gold Card, also known as the ECS Gold Card, is perhaps one of the most well-known certifications within the industry. Holding this card signals that a person has completed a formal industry regulated competency-based qualification, which combines technical theory with practical assessments to NVQ Level 3 standard.
What is the JIB?
The Joint Industry Board is an impartial organisation that sets the standards for employment, welfare, grading and apprentice training in the electrical contracting industry. It helps identify who should and shouldn’t be working on-site and exactly what kind of work they are capable of safely carrying out.
The JIB acts as an administrator to the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) in the UK, which is why the card is often referred to by both names.
Why would you want/need a Gold Card?
The Gold Card is the highest identification on offer in the industry—recognised and accepted as proof of being a fully qualified electrician. This is now a necessity for anyone working in a commercial setting and on construction sites. It’s also a requirement for an electrician wanting to carry out work unsupervised.
Naturally, having the ability to work without supervision opens up an array of more advanced and senior employment opportunities, which can in turn translate to higher earning potential.
Should you go down the route of being self-employed, it also significantly opens up the scope of work you can take on while working for yourself.
Comments