Apprenticeship Programmes in Electrical Installation

Apply here: EAL Building Services Engineering (Level 3) – Electrotechnical Installation

Information for Employers

Employers have an enhanced role in the delivery of the new apprenticeship suite of qualifications in the construction and building service engineering sector.

Your role

You will work with and support learners throughout their apprenticeship
Attend an initial meeting with the training provider to identify the range of tasks required to meet industry competency statements, work-based project and completion of ‘Form A Employer Confirmation’ and ‘Form B Employer Checklist’
Provide opportunities for the learner to carry out the activities outlined within the occupational competency statements set by industry
Meet with training providers to review and record the learner’s progress throughout their apprenticeship
Support the learner in gathering evidence to confirm proficiency in the activities that they carried out
In limited circumstances simulated activities can be arranged on-site/in the workplace by the employer to gather evidence
Support the learner in documenting their evidence, e.g. through a journal or diary
Confirm when the learner has met the required standard for the trade and is ready to progress to their final assessment (the professional discussion), confirmed by completing ‘Form A Employer Confirmation’ and ‘Form B Employer Checklist’
Support the learner in applying for their relevant industry competency card

Our role

We will work with employers to guide and support the learner throughout their journey
We will attend an initial meeting with the employer to identify the range of activities required to meet industry competency statements and the work-based project
Ensure the quality of ‘Form A Employer Confirmation’ and ‘Form B Employer Checklist’ which will allow the learner to progress onto their final assessment, the professional discussion
Ensure evidence gathered by all of our learners is appropriate and complete by carrying out and recording internal quality assurance sampling (confirmed by signing/dating section 3 of ‘Form A Employer Confirmation’)
Support the employer and learner in documenting the evidence, e.g. a journal or diary, as referenced in the occupational competency statements

Requirements of evidence

Compiling the learner’s evidence should only start once the employer is satisfied the learner is consistently working at or above the criteria set out in the occupational competence statements. That is to say they are deemed to have achieved occupational proficiency. In making this decision, the employer may take advice from the learner’s training provider. The overall decision must ultimately be made the the employer(s).

Learner must document their evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship
It must contain enough evidence, gathered within the workplace, to demonstrate the occupational competency statements
It will typically contain 15 pieces of evidence, and could take the format of a journal or diary
Evidence must be mapped against the occupational competency statements
Evidence sources might include (this is not a definitive list):
– Workplace documentation, for example job cards/job sheets, check sheets/quality check records, accident records, equipment check/maintenance records
– Annotated specifications, e.g. drawings, cutting lists, work instructions
– Annotated photographs
– Video clips (10mins max.) supported by clear timestamps detailing when key pieces of evidence occur
Evidence should not include any methods of self-reflection or self-assessment
Any employer contributions should focus on direct observation (e.g. witness statements) of proficiency rather than opinions
The evidence must be authenticated by an employer and have been recently gathered. There should be enough evidence documented to show the site based performance statements have been met
The evidence provided must be valid and attributable to the learner; the documented evidence must be complete. The employer’s signature on the confirmation document confirms this is the case

Information for Learners

To be eligible for our Electrical Installation Apprenticeship programmes, you will need to be:

Employed within the building services engineering sector (with evidence of contract of employment)
Aged 16+
Living and working in Wales

In addition to above, applicants will need to hold one or more of the following, or equivalent qualifications, at or above level of the list below:

Foundation in Construction and the Built Environment qualification at level 2
Progression in Building Services Engineering qualification at level 2
Welsh Baccalaureate National Diploma
GCSE grade A-C in each of the following: a communication subject, maths and either a science or technical-based subject (e.g. Design & Technology, Electronics etc.)
GCSE grade A-C in WJEC GCSE Built Environment
Level 2 ‘Access to Building Services Engineering’ qualification and/or equivalent qualifications

Applicants will also be required to attend a successful interview.

Health and Safety Requirements

To allow an Apprentice to start their programme, we will first need to carry out the necessary Health & Safety checks, in accordance with Welsh Government Code of Practice. This means we will need to evaluate your company’s management of health, safety and welfare, to ensure learning/work is undertaken in an acceptable environment with risks managed.

We will need to see evidence of the following documentation, alongside a short site visit:

Adequate Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance and Public Liability Insurance
Evidence of any relevant maintenance records (such as PAT testing, lighting equipment service records etc.) where applicable
Fire precautions
First Aid provision
Health & Safety policy
Risk assessments including Fire and COSHH (where there are more than five employees)

The college will monitor Health & Safety to test the implementation of the employer’s Health and Safety management system throughout the Apprenticeship programme.

Programme Description

The EAL Building Services Engineering Level 3 – Electrotechnical Installation qualification will need to be taken as part of an apprenticeship. It allows learners to demonstrate the range of their occupational knowledge, skills and understanding in electrotechnical systems and equipment installation.

It is aimed at learners who have either achieved the Level 2 Foundation in Construction and Building Services Engineering qualification, or who will be completing their Foundation learning and assessments while in an apprenticeship. This qualification will enable learners to go on to study other Level 3 Building Services Engineering courses relevant to the trade.

Programme Features

As an apprentice you will be allocated an assessor who will oversee and support you through your journey on this framework, working closely both with your employer and tutors at college.

You will be expected to attend college to learn underpinning knowledge. Assessments will also take place in college and the workplace on a regular basis. This course is both theory and practical based.

Programme Content

Learners will develop their knowledge, skills and understanding for the Electrotechnical Installation trade, as contained in the recognised standards.

Learners spend much of their time on their chosen units and will also undertake units covering Building Services Engineering Wales and Planning and Evaluating Work Practice in Wales.

The qualification will be portable throughout the UK and is aimed to develop learners’ ability to meet the demands of the building services engineering sector in Wales.

Progression and Employment

On completion of the qualification (and the apprenticeship), it will provide the skills and knowledge required for the learner to be capable of working in their chosen trade across the UK.

Method of Assessment

The qualification is designed to be completed on a part-time basis within an apprenticeship. Before the assessments are taken, learners must first demonstrate their performance and capability to the satisfaction of their employer.

The different entry points onto this qualification mean the assessment routes vary. The learner may also have to take the Level 2 Foundation in Construction and Building Services Engineering learning and assessments while on their apprenticeship if not already achieved.

If the learner takes this level 3 qualification as part of their apprenticeship without first achieving the foundation qualification or progression qualification, they must successfully complete:

Four externally-set, externally-marked multiple choice tests
A safety Critical Test, externally-set, internally-marked (practical assessments)
One externally-set, internally-marked project
One internally-marked guided discussion
One employer-set, internally-assessed project covering their chosen trade area
One externally-marked professional discussion

If the learner takes this Level 3 qualification as part of their apprenticeship without first achieving the Level 2 Progression and Building Services Engineering in the same trade pathway they must successfully complete:

Three externally-set, externally marked multiple choice tests
A safety Critical Test, externally-set, internally-marked (practical assessments)
One employer set, internally-marked Practical Project in the trade area
One externally-marked Professional Discussion

If the learner has achieved the Level 2 Progression in Building Services Engineering in the same trade pathway they must successfully complete:

Two externally-set, externally-marked multiple choice tests
A Safety Critical Test, externally-set, internally-marked (practical assessments)
One employer set, internally-marked Practical Project in the trade area
One externally-marked Professional Discussion

Mandatory Additional Requirements

AM2S: All apprentices will be required to satisfy the requirement of the recognised industry end-assessment referred to as AM2S. The purpose of the AM2S assessment is to ensure all electricians achieve a consistent standard that has been agreed by employers across the UK as meeting their expectations for a qualified person. The 4 assessment is designed to prove that the Apprentice has gained and retained all the relevant knowledge and skills during the period of the Apprenticeship. The Apprentice will be required to perform a series of common tasks and procedures that a fully qualified electrician might face including electrical installation, inspection & testing and fault-finding. The practical work must comply with the current British Standard (BS7671:2018) and meet with the requirements of Health & Safety legislation and industry best practice. The AM2S test is set and administered by National Electrotechnical Services (NET).

AM2S – For Guidance:

Safe Isolation and Risk Assessment: 45 mins
Composite Installation: 10hrs
Inspection, testing and Certification: 3.5hrs
Safe isolation of circuits: 0.5hrs
Fault Diagnosis and Rectification: 2hrs
Assessment of Applied Knowledge: 1hr

Wiring Regulations: Achievement of the Level 3 Electrotechnical Installation qualification satisfies the requirement for Apprentices to prove a recognised level of knowledge of the current wiring regulations as per BS7671.

Additional Costs

Students will be required to source and purchase their own personal protective equipment (PPE) which comprises of safety boots, safety glasses, hard hat and hi-vis.

You will need to provide your own stationery and there may also be additional costs if the department arranges educational visits.