Please, help about ECS card

[Andy.]

Hello everybody.

My name is Andy. I would need your help because I am very confused. I applied for the ECS card, and my surprise was that I received an ancillary operative card and I was expecting an electrician card.

I graduated as an electrical engineer in Spain, I also have experience working as an electrician. I did a Naric assessment and they said that this bachelor's degree is comparable with British bachelors (honours) degree. I think this a NVQ level 4 (which I think is a higher level than NVQ level 3) so I do not understand why they issued the ancillary card instead of the electrician card.

I would really appreciate your help.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Manator]

As with all qualifications they are generally not easily transferred across Europe and the rest of the world. To get the proper card you will have to have recognised electrical qualifications used in the UK

 

[steptoe]

Id think at the very least you will need the current 17th edition exam, whatever number that is this week,  :|

 

[Essex1]

Welcome.

I fail to see how a Batchelors Degree is equivalent to any form of vocational qualification.  The JIB are very strict when it comes to assigning an 'Electrician' grading to tradesmen. Rightly so. It is a shame the schemes do not operate the same way but that is for a different thread. 

All of the people I know that have studied electrical engineering as a stand alone qualification I would not let anywhere near installation work. 

In order to obtain the 'Electrician' grading you will need to have/do the following:

Complete a registered apprenticeship. 

NVQ level 3

City & Guilds Level 3 technical certificate (eg 2330)

AM2

Unless you have these you will not qualify for the 'Electrician' grading. 

 

[Apache]

As with all qualifications they are generally not easily transferred across Europe and the rest of the world. To get the proper card you will have to have recognised electrical qualifications used in the UK

That is not the case with degrees - there is Europe wide recognition.

A bachelors degree is a level 6 qualification and the NVQ level 3 - the same level as A-levels.

Presumably it's the practical side they require?

 

[Manator]

Yes Apache that is what I meant, the degree is noted worldwide and is not the problem, its the English electrical qualifications that need to be taken in order to get the NVQ level 3 card.

 

[binky]

degrees don't teach how to bend conduit or bang holes through walls, so it is right that it doesn't (fully) count towrds a pratical trade

 

[Apache]

degrees don't teach how to bend conduit or bang holes through walls, so it is right that it doesn't (fully) count towrds a pratical trade

There is no reason why they couldn't. My degree along with a lot of degree courses cover a lot of practical work.

Do you think there would be a call for an electrical design and installation bachelors degree?

 

[binky]

your job is a bit different.

Generally yuo have electricians and electrical designers - I've been thinking of doing the design course myself. 1 is hands on, the other is aimed at desk based work. It doesn't mean you can't have a cross over, but generally desk-jockeys don't get their hands dirty much.