What is a Domestic Installer?
Since the introduction of Part P of the Building Regulations (Electrical Safety-Dwellings) the definition of ‘Domestic Installer’ has been established. In the electrical industry ‘Domestic Installers’ are not considered to be fully qualified electricians but from the 1st September 2021 a 'Domestic installer' must now follow a more intensive training programme in order to prove their competence to install, test and inspect within domestic premises.
For those looking to only install, test and inspect in domestic environments we recommend the following four step pathway:-
This pathway is under review and currently unavailable - Please refer to 'What is an Electrician' page for alternative route
Stage 1 - (Employment within the electrical industry is not a requirement)
Please note:
If you secure employment within the electrical industry after completion of the Stage 1 training programme you may decide to opt out of progressing to the next stage with the clear understanding that you would only be permitted to work under the supervision of a suitably qualified skilled person at all times.
Stage 2 - (Employment within the electrical industry is not a requirement)
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Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation - Course cost £2,260 (Normal full cost fee reduced to reflect recognised prior learning completed in Stage 1)
Stage 3 - (Employment within the electrical industry is not a requirement)
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Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation - Course cost £3,220
Stage 4 - (Employment within the electrical industry is is now a requirement)
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Level 3 Certificate in Installing, Testing and Ensuring Compliance of Electrical Installations in Dwellings - Course cost £1,750 (Performance Units)
Total training cost - £9,675 (Stage 1 to 4)
Competence
What is a competent person?
The short answer would be 'somebody who can complete a specific task safely and effectively'. However, this can be very difficult to assess especially with regards to an electrician or domestic installer as the work they will be doing may vary significantly. Some of the basic expected requirements are that the person carrying out electrical work has had sufficient training and experience.
This does not mean that a person who holds a Level 3 qualification in electrical installations is competent to carry out work on all electrical installations. There will likely be areas that they are unfamiliar with. However, experience and training will have given them at least the ability to work safely and assess if they are in fact competent to carry out a specific task.
Qualified Supervisor
The role of a 'Qualified Supervisor' can be varied but will often include responsibilties to supervise other workers, oversee domestic installation activities on-site and sign-off work that has been completed by other operatives to verify that it meets the required standards.
A 'Qualified Supervisor' holds the ultimate qualification available for those involved in electrical installation activities within domestic environments. This industry standard qualification together with the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations qualification automatically satisfies the requirements for registration on a 'Competent Person Scheme' subject to providing demonstrable evidence of a minimum of 2 years responsibility for the technical standard of electrical work on-site (this can include on-site practical experience gained whilst undergoing training).
The qualification is very similar as that for an 'Electrician' in the way it is structured but with the focus being on electrical installations within dwellings, in simple terms this means electrical installations in houses and similar type premises.
Just like the 'Electrician', a 'Qualfied Supervisor' completes a qualification that combines both knowledge and performance units with the required levels of competence being assessed from evidence generated from performing installation activities in real work environments.
Disclaimer
Please be aware that the entry and registration criteria required by a scheme provider may possibly change over time. Ipswich Skills Centre accepts no responsibilty or liability for any such changes and strongly recommends that individuals check and confirm the current entry and registration criteria with their preferred scheme provider('s) prior to booking and entering onto a training programme.