NVQ Level 3
For Experienced Workers
NVQ Level 3 Electrical Online Courses With XS Training
The City & Guilds NVQ 2356-99 for Experienced Workers – also known as the Mature Candidate Assessment – has been our most popular course since it was launched in 2014.
It has now been superseded by the NVQ 2346-03 Experienced Worker Assessment as the Level 3 pathway for practising electricians to obtain your ECS Gold Card & JIB Grading.
Candidates must have a minimum of five years experience together with the 18th Edition and Initial Verification (City & Guilds 2391-50 or 2394 (or equivalent).
Once a candidate has gained the qualification they will then be able to take the AM2E at any AM2 centre in the UK. (More information below).
If you do not have five years experience or more, you can still complete the NVQ 2357 which will also enable you to gain your JIB Gold Card.
NVQ 2346-03 Electrical Installation & Maintenance Online Courses
ELCAS Funding
Both our online NVQ 2346 pathways – Installation & Maintenance – are approved for ELCAS funding. Under the scheme members of the Armed Forces can receive financial support to contribute towards their higher-level learning.
Just A Small Sample Of Our Many, Many Testimonials…
Zubar Baduashvili talks about how XS Training helped him to “achieve his dream” to attain his NVQ Level 3 qualification and become an ECS/JIB Gold Card holder
How To Achieve Your NVQ 2346-03
The NVQ 2346-03 Experienced Worker Assessment
City & Guilds launched the new NVQ 2346-03 in September of 2020 to replace the popular NVQ 2356-99. Like it’s predecessor it designed specifically for mature candidates who have been working in the electrotechnical industry for a number of years but have so far been unable to be formally recognised at NVQ level 3.
This new NVQ 2346-03 will allow candidates to demonstrate their technical knowledge, performance and competence to the industry standard level 3. 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).
Who Is The NVQ 2346-03 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.
It’s suitable for both self-employed and employed electricians who have worked for a number of years but have never gained full, formal recognition of their skills or experience.
The qualification is not suitable for new entrants to the electrotechnical industry, apprentices, or those who have completed an electrotechnical technical qualification with less than last five years relevant experience as an electrician.
Your previous technical qualifications may also meet some of the Experienced Worker Assessment requirements, which means you only need to provide any outstanding items of evidence.
What If I Am Not Eligible For The NVQ 2346-03
If you are working in the industry but the Experienced Worker Assessment is not right for you at this time due to gaps in your knowledge or experience, we may be able to offer you a place on the City & Guilds NVQ 2357. The 2357 can also be used to gain your JIB grading & ECS Gold Card.
Please contact us if you do not meet the above criteria.
Requirements Of The Experienced Worker Qualification
To complete the qualification you will need to achieve
- Level 3 Performance Units (2346 NVQ)
- 18th Edition Wiring Regulations
- Initial Verification Qualification (2391-50 or 2394 or 2391-52)
- AM2-E
Previously attained Level 2 and Level 3 technical qualifications could possibly be accepted towards the Performance Units for your EWA qualification. This will be identified by the Recognition of Prior Learning process during your initial assessment with your chosen Training Provider.
What Is The Process Involved?
First, you’ll need to complete a ‘Skills Scan‘ to confirm this is the correct pathway for you. You’ll need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding equivalent to the electrotechnical apprenticeship.
If you proceed, the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process will look at any existing Level 2 & Level 3 qualifications, along with your current work experience, to see if you already meet any of the qualification unit criteria. This is done after registering with a training provider.
If you choose XS Training as your training provider we will help you through your Skills Scan – and the required Candidate Background Form will be covered with your completion of our Online Application Form.
The RPL process will determine which units you have already met, so you will only need to fill in any gaps. This will be done via a combination of 1 to 1 assessment, portfolio building and (if relevant for 18th Edition and Initial Verification) online exams.
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.
Achievement of the Experienced Worker Assessment and the AM2E meets the criteria for an ECS gold card application.
NVQ 2346-03 Performance Units
There are six Level 3 Performance Units to be assessed before you can gain the Experienced Worker qualification:
- 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
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.
In Conclusion
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 need to gather evidence from the workplace, which will be assessed and verified by XS Training Ltd. 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 appropriate electrical theory.
The assessment process involves working with your assessor to produce a portfolio of evidence using the e-Portfolio system, OneFile. 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.
How XS Training Can Help You Achieve Your Gold Card
When you undertake your NVQ with XS Training you will be allocated your personal assessor who will help you to successfully complete the NVQ.
All of the Assessors at XS Training are experienced electricians who are all time served within the industry. We have all enjoyed many years working within the industry before moving into education for the electrical contracting industry. We have taught at various colleges throughout the UK and pride ourselves on delivering outstanding service to our fellow electricians.
On-Site Assessments
We offer a variety of assessment methods for the NVQ 2346-03 such as on-site assessments where we visit you anywhere in the UK. The visit will be carefully planned with your assessor and the evidence collected will count towards your NVQ.
There are many, many benefits of undertaking on-site assessments, however on-site assessments are not without their problems and can impose restrictions on the progress of your NVQ. For example:
- On-site assessments can be difficult to arrange or change at short notice
- On-site assessments can be costly for the candidate as the assessor charges for travelling time and time spent on site
- On-site assessments are often not welcomed by the site manager or employer / supervisor
- On-site assessments are often viewed as interfering with the work that needs to be completed on-site.
PLEASE NOTE: All new learners from December 2022 will have at least one (of two) on-site, face-to-face assessments. This is to support that they can apply and demonstrate Health and Safety legislation and working practices when Installing and Maintaining Electrical Systems and Equipment in accordance with approved industry practices.
Remote On-Site Assessments
To overcome the difficulties of on-site assessments and remain competitive we offer remote live assessments using a video-conferencing system compatible with mobile devices.
Your assessor can carry out a direct observation of you without the need to physically visit your site. This is carried out using your mobile phone and a Bluetooth headset. This will enable you to engage with the remote assessments in a safe manner and add more flexibility to the time and date that your assessor carries out the on-site assessment.
The added benefits are:
- Remote on-site assessments can be arranged at short notice
- Remote on-site assessments can be taken at any time of your working hours, even at weekends or in the evenings
- Remote on-site assessments are cost-effective and will save you money
- Remote on-site assessments will not interfere with your working schedule
- Remote on-site assessments allow the assessor to speak with your supervisor and/or site manager to verify the work you have covered and provide act as witness to your competency
- Remote on-site assessments allow your witnesses to join the videoconference via their mobile phone, tablet and/or PC so they do not need to be with you at the time of your assessment.
Online Portfolio System
The e-Portfolio system we use is OneFile and it is regarded as the best e-Portfolios on the market for assessment of QCF, NVQ, SVQ and BTEC qualifications. All major awarding bodies within the UK have accredited OneFile as it is recognised as a robust and high quality resource that is of great use to both candidates and training providers. The system is easy to use and full training will be provided during your telephone induction.
