Domestic Electrical Apprenticeship The Truth behind the myths and rhetoric

The truth about the domestic electrical apprenticeship. A simple concept that one or two seem to be twisting for self serving purposes. Sharing misinformation and targeting individual training companies, persons and trade bodies/institutions.

It is revealing that some of those persons did not even bother to engage in the consultation process but now want to stop it! Here I try to explain what is actually going on and has happened to get us here. I will also release a video covering this in greater detail but have included one I made a couple of weeks ago.

The domestic electrical apprenticeship was developed through an open employer led process- set out on the Institute for Apprenticeships website. Many of those on the group are experienced, fully qualified electricians.

It is NOT a TESP or industry product and providers were not part of the employer group.

Two open consultations took place with over 300 responses to the industry survey, IFATE also held an open consultation on their website. We were invited as a trade to be involved and this was shared widely across social media by the likes of TESP, the ECA, Efixx, myself and many others.

This is a government?approved, publicly funded L3 apprenticeship.It is about raising standards and shutting the door on short courses. It is not to replace or reduce the importance of a traditional apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships have rules! They can only be delivered by regulated providers who are on a government register. This cannot be delivered by anyone else or turned into something that lasts a few months!

All providers on the register are assessed to the same criteria independently, by the government funding agency and audited to ensure they comply with the rules. Whether that’s a college or private training provider.

It includes a Level 3 regulated qualification from C&G and EAL – there is significant ?underpinning knowledge, this is not light touch or diluted.?

The end point assessment is a modified AM2 which is 9 hours longer than the current AM2 in order to cover the range of circuitry and technologies involved.

It’s also firmly showing that new technology such as EV charger installation is the work of an electrician, stopping anyone else from trying to develop a separate apprenticeship in that sort of area, something the industry should be happy about imho!

This is a 3 year apprenticeship. Apprenticeships have to last for at least 12 months including 20% off the job. The only way the 3 years would be reduced is if someone already had proper, auditable evidence- eg someone may have completed a Level 3 technical qualification such as C&G 2365 so would not need to repeat?that learning. This is no different to any apprenticeship including the 4 year electrotechnical. Totally wrong to suggest this is a “fast track” apprenticeship

There will be a list of accepted technical qualifications that can be used to recognise prior learning- this is not up to providers to decide- and short course certificates will not count!?

The process worked with the employers overseeing the current apprenticeship to see whether a separate pathway was possible.?The domestic pathway would have been shorter and funding rules mean the apprenticeship is funded on the basis of the shortest, cheapest pathway- so the funding for the current apprenticeship would have been reduced.

Like it or not, many employers do not carry out the range of activity for the electrotechnical apprenticeship but do want to properly train people for domestic work and have this properly recognised. This should lead to more young people being able to get an apprenticeship and proper training and an extra avenue for the thousands stuck on full time courses to get into employment through an apprenticeship!

The argument of quickly transitioning to full scope electrical via a 1 day three phase course is insulting to industry and what is intended. Any map over will need careful monitoring and follow the same modules in exact detail to what is already in the traditional apprenticeship. The domestic apprenticeship makes it easier to police because there will be a single card, clearly stating “Domestic Electrician” which clearly shows people are not qualified to work on commercial and industrial systems. Rather than the current model of trying to give domestic electricians enough evidence in a portfolio to complete a training route they might not have adequate experience of.

The existing electrical apprenticeship is also about to undergo review and people in industry are asked to input into it. I would encourage others to do just that!

If people really want to make a difference, help promote the TESP Rogue Trainers campaign which is trying to stop the ongoing issue of providers selling worthless packages costing thousands, usually with expensive loan agreements.???

Without question we need to monitor how trainers approach this going forward and most crucially ensure the module map overs to the full/traditional electrical apprenticeship are robust and held in place.

We should not be dismissing a training route that will help thousands of learners, employers and the future of industry so quickly imo. Especially based on how individual training companies might approach this new route. They will be accountable to themselves and we need to keep a careful eye on that 100%.

I understand the misinformation around all of this is only really shared by a handful of individuals and by talking about it brings more credibility than it probably deserves. But some shocking misinformation has gone up via social media which helps nothing imo.

Many have already said how they can see potential in this helping and lifting up industry. I also know many have legitimate concerns! This is one of the reasons I am sharing this article. As someone who speaks with thousands of learners and plenty of colleges/lecturers we need to drastically improve training in the UK. This is a step towards that from what I see. But I am open to discussion and listen to understand with anyone.

My own advice would be speak to TESP, speak with those behind this new apprenticeship. They want to work with industry and listen to us. Do not let the poisoned view of one or two individuals divert away from the facts behind things. These views are generally driven by personal, bitter experiences and do not reflect the reality of what is going on.

My own approach is to rise the tide together. Via respectful and inclusive discussion. I am here for that with anyone.??This new course will have bumps in the road 100%, it wont be perfect and I am sure some will attempt to use it unethically, but this is the case with the traditional route already. Challenging those things as TESP do is what we should be supporting. The play ground mentality of some within the social media space has damaged progress and development over the last few years. We need to acknowledge and move away from that in my humble opinion. I do not hide from the big subjects but will always discuss them respectfully with ANYONE.

I do not have all the answers and wont pretend I do. I am just a simple electrician with a small contracting company. I am not an ECA member and we wont be using the domestic route ourselves as we can offer a full traditional apprenticeship. The power of choice and access to all across industry. #liftothersup

#respect #guidance #kindess #support