Our new online course means that our EV Charging Course is now available in two formats:

1. In-Centre EV Charging Course: A 2-day course with the online exam on the second day.
2. Comprehensive eLearning Package: This flexible option allows learners to complete the course online at their own pace. The exam can be taken at one of our training centres or at home using the C&G remote exam service, which is included in the course price.

The launch of the City and Guilds 2921-34 EV Charging Course in an online format allows learners to take this course fully remotely and at their own convenience, a factor we know is crucial for qualified, busy electricians. This course is also crucial to help electricians prepare for changing competence requirements EV charging point installations.

Changing Competence Requirements for Electricians

Competence requirements for electricians installing EV charging points are evolving. Key updates to the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) include:

Mandatory Technical Competence (MTC) Requirements: From October 2026, it will be mandatory for those registered with Competent Person Schemes (CPS) to have a qualification listed in the EAS for the following areas:

• Electrical vehicle charging equipment
• Solar photovoltaic systems
• Electric energy storage systems
• Micro wind turbines

While this may seem like a reasonable timeframe, it poses a significant challenge for many electricians currently operating within these schemes. Many may not meet the prerequisites for these qualifications, adding pressure to get qualified through options like the Experienced Worker Assessments.

Voluntary Early Adoption

The EAS also states that Certification and Registration Bodies may voluntarily adopt these changes before the specified implementation dates. This means that some bodies might start enforcing these requirements sooner, so it is essential to stay informed and prepared. For more information, refer to our previous blog, Understanding the Latest EAS Updates.

Upskilling Opportunities

Electricians who do not currently hold these qualifications should consider upskilling. Our online EV charging course could be the ideal solution for practicing electricians to achieve the C&G qualification while learning flexibly at a time that suits them.

Key Features of the online EV charging course:

• Self-Paced Learning: Delivered online through our bespoke eLearning platform.
• Assessment: A single online exam which can be taken at any of our electrical training centres or at home through our remote invigilation service.
• Eligibility: The course is for qualified electricians only. Information on eligibility can be found on our webpage.

Visit the City & Guilds 2921-34 Online EV Charging Course page to book. From here, you can also dive into a free trial and see how our online course can empower you with the knowledge and skills to excel in the EV charging industry.

The post New Online Course Release: City and Guilds 2921-34 Online EV Charging Course appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

The Current EV Market

The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is showing no signs of stopping! While recent reports highlight a slight slowdown in EV sales growth within Europe following the exceptional boom of 2020 and 2021, the global picture tells a different story. Globally, EV sales are still accelerating, with a 22% increase in the first half of 2024. This outpaces the overall car market growth significantly, demonstrating that EVs are here to stay (source Autovista 24)

It’s true that the removal of some government subsidies has impacted sales in certain European countries. However, the long-term trend is clear: demand for EVs is steadily increasing, and with it, the need for skilled professionals to install and maintain the supporting infrastructure.

 The UK EV Charging Infrastructure

The UK is no exception to this EV growth. As new analysis from Northgate Vehicle Hire reveals, many “UK cities need to ramp up their electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to meet the government’s ambitious target of installing 300,000 public chargers by 2030”.

This target highlights the urgent demand for qualified electricians who can install and maintain the charging infrastructure needed to support the growing number of EVs on our roads.

Upskill in EV Charging and Stay Ahead

• Upskilling courses: We offer courses specifically focused on renewable energy technologies including EV Charging, Solar PV and Battery Storage. 
• Skills Bootcamp Funding for Green Skills Courses: We could fully fund or reduce the cost of the following upskilling courses: Air Source Heat Pump Skills Bootcamp, Green Electrical Upskill Package Skills Bootcamp, Inspection & Testing plus EV Charging Skills Bootcamp. 

Need further advice on how to upskill in renewable technologies? Our team of expert course advisers are on hand to guide you along the way. Simply contact us via the online form or call our team on 0800 8564448.

The post Plug into the Future: Why Electricians Should Charge Up Their Skills with Renewable Energy Training appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

What is the EAS?

The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) is a framework used by Competent Person Scheme (CPS) providers, such as NICEIC and NAPIT, to assess the suitability of candidates for registration as a Qualified Supervisor (QS). The EAS ensures that individuals meet the necessary technical standards and possess the required competencies to perform electrical work safely and effectively.

Key Updates to the EAS

One of the most notable updates involves the Mandatory Technical Competence (MTC) requirements for specific installations. From October 2026, it will be mandatory for those registered with CPS to have a qualification listed in the EAS for the following areas:

1. Electrical vehicle charging equipment
2. Solar photovoltaic systems
3. Electric energy storage systems
4. Micro wind turbines

While this may seem like a reasonable timeframe, it poses a significant challenge for many electricians currently operating within these schemes. Many may not meet the prerequisites for these qualifications, adding pressure to get qualified through options like the Experienced Worker Assessments.

Voluntary Early Adoption

The EAS also states that Certification and Registration Bodies may voluntarily adopt these changes before the specified implementation dates. This means that some bodies might start enforcing these requirements sooner, so it’s essential to stay informed and prepared.

Why These EAS Changes Matter

The primary purpose of these updates is to enhance the safety and quality of electrical installations. By ensuring that all electricians have the necessary qualifications, the EAS aims to reduce the risk of faulty installations and improve overall industry standards. For electricians, this means a greater emphasis on continuous professional development and staying up-to-date with the latest industry requirements.

What Should Electricians Do?

For those who may not currently meet the new qualification requirements, it’s crucial to start planning now. Consider the following steps:

Review the EAS Qualifications Guide: Understand the specific qualifications required for your area of work.

Explore Training Options: Look into certified courses and training programmes that can help you meet the new requirements.

Consider Experienced Worker Assessments: If you have significant experience but lack formal qualifications, this route can help you get certified.

Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with any further updates from the EAS committee and your CPS provider.

By taking proactive steps now, electricians can ensure they remain compliant and continue to provide high-quality, safe electrical installations.

The post Future-Proof Your Electrical Skills: Understanding the Latest EAS Updates appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

City & Guilds Training Electrical provides the C&G 2921-34 EV Charging Course, one of the most popular courses for qualified electricians. This course equips participants with the knowledge to design, install, and maintain domestic and small commercial electric vehicle charging installations. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of gaining this additional qualification and the opportunities it creates.

Why Upskill to EV Charging Installations?

• Increasing Demand for Charging Points

With the UK’s push toward reducing carbon emissions, EVs are quickly becoming the norm. From private households to workplaces and public areas, the need to install electric vehicle charging stations is rising. Governments and local councils are also introducing measures to discourage the use of petrol and diesel vehicles, such as congestion charges, which further accelerate EV adoption.

As a result, electricians with expertise in electric vehicle charging installation are increasingly in demand. By offering services in this growing market, electricians can enhance their career prospects and secure additional streams of revenue.

• Financial Opportunities and Incentives

Electricians can charge competitive rates for installing electric vehicle charging points. There are also grants available through government schemes like the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), which helps homeowners offset the cost of installation. This not only encourages more customers to install charging points but also ensures steady work for qualified installers. 

• Future-Proofing Your Skills

Given the focus on sustainability, EVs are likely to dominate the automotive industry for years to come. The ability to install electric vehicle charging stations positions electricians as essential contributors to this transition. With ongoing advances in battery technology and energy management systems, having expertise in EV charging ensures that electricians remain relevant and competitive in the market. 

• Contributing to a Greener Future

By taking on electric vehicle home charging installations, electricians play a key role in promoting sustainable practices. The move toward electric vehicles and green energy helps reduce the carbon footprint, which aligns with the UK’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. For electricians interested in supporting eco-friendly initiatives, working in this area can be particularly rewarding.

How to Get Started with an EV Charging Course

The C&G 2921-34 EV Charging Course is an excellent starting point for electricians looking to enter this field. The course provides practical training in home electric vehicle charging station installation, equipping participants with the skills needed to design, install, and maintain charging points. It is designed for qualified electricians looking to upskill in the design, installation and maintenance of domestic and small commercial electric vehicle charging installations.

The course also addresses best practices for electric vehicle safe isolation procedures, ensuring participants can safely carry out installations without compromising safety. From facilities managers to electricians seeking new opportunities, the course offers valuable insights and practical experience. 

For more information on this course, visit the City & Guilds Training Electrical website and explore the UK’s leading electrician training programmes.  We are also happy to speak with you directly here.

The post The Benefits of Upskilling to Electric Vehicle Charging Installations appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum, promising a cleaner and more sustainable future for transportation. As the demand for EVs surges, so too does the need for a well-equipped charging infrastructure. In turn, this infrastructure, requires a skilled workforce capable of designing, installing, and maintaining EV charging stations.

To meet this growing demand, City & Guilds has introduced a range of EV charging qualifications. These qualifications are designed to equip electricians with the essential knowledge and practical skills necessary to excel in this emerging field. By investing in these qualifications, professionals can position themselves at the forefront of the EV revolution and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Introducing the 2921-34: A New Qualification for Electric Vehicle Charging Installation

To keep up with industry advancements and changing regulations, City and Guilds has replaced the 2921-31 with the new 2921-34 qualification. This updated course is designed for qualified electricians looking to specialise in electric vehicle charging installations.

Key features of the 2921-34 include:

• Alignment with industry standards: The qualification is based on the latest national occupational standards (NOS) and the TESP Electrician Plus model.
• Enhanced eligibility requirements: Only qualified electricians who meet the requirements of the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) can now enrol.
• Online assessment: The qualification is assessed through a 60-minute online multiple-choice exam focusing on design, installation, and maintenance of electric vehicle charging equipment.

The 2921-34 EV charging course will be available starting September 2024, and the 2921-31 will be discontinued in October 2024.

Entry requirements for the 2921-34 EV Charing Course

Here are a list of the pre-requisites requirements for the 2921-34. For more information or to check your eligibility, visit our website or contact our course advisors who will be happy to help.

Learners must hold one of the following:

• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment) (2357)
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Maintenance)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Electrotechnical qualification (5357)
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in Electrotechnical Services Experienced Worker (2356)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Qualification (2346)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Electrotechnical in Dwellings Experienced Worker Qualification (2347)
• Other Awarding Organisations equivalences will also be acceptable
• Equivalent historical qualifications (see EAS Table 4B/4C) EAS Qualifications guide August 2023 (theiet.org)

or

• ECS Gold Card (for domestic electrician), JIB Electrician or Approved Electrician Card.

For learners in Scotland:

• Any of the above or
• SVQ in Electrical Installation at SCQF level 7

For learners in Wales:

• Any of the above or
• EAL Building Services Engineering (Level 3) Electrotechnical Installation

All learners must have achieved the above qualifications no more than 5 years prior to starting the EV charging course or there must be evidence the learner has remained current by holding the latest edition of the Wiring regulations qualification.

City and Guilds EV Charging Qualification Suite

City & Guilds Training are now offering the following EV charging qualifications which have been developed with industry experts.

• 2921-31 Design and installation of domestic and small commercial electric vehicle charging installations. (Replaced by 2921-34 from September 2024)
• 2921-32 Design and Quality Assurance of Largescale electric vehicle charging installations.
• 2921-33 Installation and maintenance of Largescale electric vehicle charging installations.
• 2921-34 Design and installation of domestic and small commercial electric vehicle charging installations. (Available from September 2024 and replaces the 2921-31)

The post Launch of New 2921-34 Domestic and Small Commercial Charging Installation Course appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

Currently there are 2 qualifications available:

• C&G 2919-01 for commercial and domestic installations
• C&G 2919-02 just for domestic installations.

From September 2022 both qualifications will be retired and replaced with the new C&G 2921-31 Domestic & Commercial EV Charging Installation Course.

Why is this important?

The major impact of this is that there won’t be a dedicated domestic qualification any more and the entry requirements for the new qualification will be at a higher level than the current ones. From September 2022, you will need to be a gold card electrician or equivalent to register for the new EV Qualification. This means, as a minimum, you should have a Gold Card, hold a Level 3 NVQ or have completed an Electrical Apprenticeship.

At present, those with a Level 3 Diploma are still able to register for the EV 2919-01 Course and those with Inspecting and Testing qualifications, 18th Edition and the right skills can register for the domestic 2919-02 qualification.

If you really want to get an EV qualification, then now is the time to book and take the course.

Do I need a qualification?

Not necessarily. We have found, over the past few years, most people and in particular those training on the Domestic EV car charging course just want the skills to be able to try and find work with an EV installation company. We will almost certainly still be offering skills based training to help our customers break into this rapidly growing industry.

Will the 2919 Qualifications still be valid?

Yes of course! These are current qualifications which show your competence to employers. If you gain the 2919 qualifications before September 2022 they will not expire.

N.B. If you have a particular need such as registering with OZEV you will need to double check with them which qualifications they will accept in the future.

How will the new course be delivered?

At present, we are waiting for more information from City & Guilds. Due to the changes to the entry requirements, it’s unlikely there will be a need for any practical training as customers will need to have already covered key practical skills in their previous electrical qualifications.

To book please visit our EV Course Qualifications page or call our team on 0800 8564448.

The post EV Car Charging Qualification Changes From September 2022 appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

To get the EVHS grant, the wall charging unit has to be installed by a supplier approved by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) who will then be able to claim for the grant on the homeowner’s behalf.

The current April 2022 sees two very important changes:

1. The UK Government focus is shifting from providing support to homeowner in favour of renters and apartments.
2. An increase in demand for non OZEV supplier to install wall EV car charging units as the EVHS grant is coming to an end in April 2022.

Demand for EV car charging points is set to increase

The number of EV car registrations continues to increase year after year. With the end of the EV Government grant in April 2022, the demand for EV car charging point installation is set to increase as more homeowners will now shop around to find the best supplier irrespective of the scheme associate OZEV.

Source Heycar.co.uk

Ready to get qualified as an EV Charging Point Installer?

The Domestic EV Car Charging Point installer course is one of our most popular courses – this 4 day course is designed specifically for Domestic Installer who wish to learn how to install, fault find, inspect, and test domestic car charging points.

We have the following EV installer courses available to book – simply click below or call our team on 0800 8564448 to book direct:

IN CENTRE

• C&G 2919-01 EV / Car Charging Point Installer Course – this course covers commercial installation and it’s designed for fully qualified electricians
• C&G 2919-02 Domestic EV / Car Charging Point Installer Course – this 4 day course has been designed to give you in-depth knowledge to be able to take advantage of this rapidly growing and exciting new market.

ONLINE E-LEARNING

• Online C&G 2919-01 EV / Car Charging Point Installer Course – delivered as eLearning. Once you are ready, call us to book your exam at one of our 4 UK training centres.

The post EV Homecharge Scheme Ending April 2022 appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

The UK will become the first country in the world to make EV car chargers installation mandatory for new buildings.

SMART EV Car Charging

The new legislation is expected to say that all charging stations must include ‘smart’ EV charging technology.

Under the new regulations, set to come into force from May 2022, all new EV chargers in homes and workplaces will automatically ‘turn off’ for 9 hours between the peak times of 8 am-11 am and again between 4 pm-10 pm.

Public EV chargers and rapid chargers on motorways and A-roads will be the only ones exempt from this.

The Times is reporting that UK ministers fear blackouts on the National Grid with more and more EV Charging Points being installed. It is believed that ‘smart’ EV charging technology is one way to prevent the National Grid from becoming overwhelmed as we approach the 2030’s deadline.

Become an EV Charging Point Installer

The demand for qualified EV Charging Point installers is increasing month after month, this latest announcement is yet more evidence of the speed at which the UK’s EV Charging infrastructure is evolving.

To get qualified – visit our EV Charging Points Installer Course page or call our team on 0800 8564448 for more information. Alternatively, you can contact us via our website at this link.

The post All New Homes & Offices in the UK to Have EV Charging Points Installed Obligatorily From 2022 appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

The post TS4U & Thomas Nagy Push EV to its Limit! appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

The network company is working to explore the different business models and market mechanisms to deliver benefits from smart charging. It is recruiting up to 1,000 members of the public in London and the South East who own an electric vehicle and charge it at home. Recruitment for the trial will begin this month and smart chargers will be available through their preferred electric vehicle charger installer.

UK’s first 150kW charger goes live

This news follows Shell’s recent installation of the UK’s first 150kW charger on a forecourt at their Battersea service station in London. The new charger is a part of Shell Recharge, Shell’s on-forecourt Electric Vehicle (EV) charging service. The high-powered charger sits alongside the current 50kW rapid chargers and can typically provide a 0-80% charge in approximately 10 minutes, three times faster than existing rapid chargers, depending on the electric vehicle model.

Following an agreement with Ionity (an organisation set up in 2017 by European automobile manufacturers including BMW, Ford, Porsche and the Volkswagen Audi Group), Shell plans to offer super-fast 350kW charging points across 10 European countries, starting with 80 of Shell’s biggest highway stations. Ionity has just opened their second UK location in Milton Keynes at the end of July, allowing users the ability to charge their car to 80% in the time it takes to drink a coffee.

What does this mean for EV drivers in the UK?

All of this shows that there is a genuine commitment to provide real-world applications for EV charging, not just from the Government with their EV Homecharge Scheme, but from energy suppliers as a whole. These essential changes to infrastructure will make it more viable than ever for consumers to consider electric vehicles as a viable alternative to Petrol or Diesel cars.

To find out how you can become an EV charging point installer, why not visit one of our events or book a course directly on our website.

The post UKPN Launches Project to Encourage EV Owners to Charge Off-Peak appeared first on Tradeskills4u.