C&G NVQ 2346-03 Experienced Worker Assessment

Course Description

The EWA process recognises occupational competence for people who have been working as an electrician for over five years, but haven’t been able to complete an apprenticeship or achieve an equivalent Level 3 vocational qualification.  The EWA is based on the same content as the electrotechnical apprenticeship.  This means that both new entrants and existing workers are being assessed and accredited against the same industry standard.

The NVQ 2346-03 will allow candidates to demonstrate their technical knowledge, performance and competence to the industry recognised level 3 standard.  The EWA replaces the JIB Mature Candidate Assessment and provides an improved, standardised, and transparent process for experienced workers to accredit their skills, experience, and knowledge.  To complete this qualification, you will also need an 18th edition and Level 3 Award in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations qualification (This is not included in the price because the requirement varies according to each learner).

Gain recognition as a Qualified Electrician

Achievement of the Experienced Worker Assessment and the AM2E meets the criteria for a SparkSafe Qualified Electrician Licence.  The Experienced Worker Assessment also meets the ECS Gold Card criteria, as well as being recognised in the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification as equivalent to an industry apprenticeship.  It is important to emphasise that the EWA is an assessment process against the recognised industry standard.  It is not a short cut to becoming qualified.

Eligibility for EWA

To be eligible for the EWA you should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a practising electrician working across the range of activity set out in the Skills Scan.  The 5 years cannot include time you have spent in training, either full- or part-time, for example college-based technical certificates. It means 5 years working solely as an electrician and not in training.  This will be verified by a training provider before you can be accepted onto the EWA. Learners must also hold a relevant Level 2 Technical qualification within Electrotechnical.

This will enable experienced workers the opportunity to get their skills properly accredited for an Installation Electrician ‘Gold Card’ under the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS). To complete this qualification, you will also need your 18th Edition and Initial Verification Inspection and Testing. (This is not included in the price because it is bespoke for every learner)

What the Course Covers

There are six Level 3 Performance Units to be assessed before you can gain the Experienced Worker qualification, to pass these units, you must provide evidence from a site of your previous work to demonstrate you can fully meet the performance requirements of each unit. You’ll be assessed via a range of methods and an assessor will need to observe you at work on at least one occasion during the evidence gathering process. Additionally, units for BS 7671:2018 and Initial Verification are examined within the Experienced Worker qualification, if you do not already have these qualifications.

  • Apply Health, Safety and Environmental Considerations
  • Organise and Oversee the Electrical Work Environment
  • Apply Design and Installation Practices and Procedures
  • Terminate and Connect Conductors
  • Inspect, Test and Commission Electrical Systems
  • Apply Fault Diagnosis and Rectification

Who is the course suitable for?

The Experienced Worker Assessment is for electricians who have been working in the industry for at least 5 years (not including time spent in full or part-time training) but have not formally completed an industry apprenticeship or equivalent Level 3 NVQ qualification. You will need to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and competence to the standard of the Level 3 electrotechnical apprenticeship. There is a skills scan at the start of the process to assess this. The EWA is suitable for both self-employed and employed electricians.

The Process:

To gain the City & Guilds NVQ 2346-03 Level 3 you will need to prove your competence whilst working as an electrician. This means being able to prove your practical skills AND underpinning knowledge, to a satisfactory standard. Proof of underpinning knowledge is usually by production of a technical certificate and professional discussion.

You will also need to gather evidence from the workplace, which will be assessed and verified. The evidence should indicate that you are working to the standards expected of an electrician, over a variety of activities, and, have an understanding of the relevant electrical theory & principles.

The assessment process involves working with your assessor to produce a portfolio of evidence using the OneFile e-Portfolio system. This will be assessed and verified prior to being submitted to City and Guilds for approval. Your assessor will provide you with ongoing support and feedback until you successfully complete your NVQ.  Once you have completed the qualification process you will then take your AM2E practical assessment. This is similar to the AM2 assessment taken at the end of an electrotechnical apprenticeship or the previous NVQ 2356-99, but includes an extra section involving installation of conduit.

Once you have completed the qualification and successfully passed the AM2E you have completed the Experienced Worker Assessment.

To register or for further information on the C&G 2346 please click here