Which ECS card are you looking for?

Take a look below and the different categories and types of ECS card you can apply for...

Card Types

Click on any ECS card category and title below to find out more about the card, the eligibility criteria you will need to meet and how to apply:

Apprentices and Trainees

Apprentice Electrician

The Apprentice ECS card is for students undertaking any electrical/electronic advanced apprenticeship.

It allows apprentices to be formally recognised and work on site to gain valuable industry experience in support of their training. The cards are issued under the strict understanding that a formal industry training programme is being undertaken and that all work the apprentice carries out is under supervision.

The apprentice should be JIB-registered by their training provider to get the full benefit from industry registration. JIB registration includes an initial ECS card, staged apprentice cards to show progression and the final Gold card at the successful completion of the apprenticeship. The JIB training requirements are listed in the JIB Handbook.

Trainee Electrician

The Trainee Electrician ECS card is for trainees that are not undertaking an apprenticeship but are following a formal JIB industry training programme that will lead to an ECS Gold Card.

This card is issued under the strict understanding that a formal industry training programme is being undertaken and that all work the trainee carries out is under supervision.

The trainee should be JIB-registered by their training provider to get the full benefit from industry registration and includes the initial ECS trainee card. The JIB training requirements are listed in the JIB Handbook.

Work Experience

This card is only available via a training providers who are registered with the JIB.

The ECS Work Experience Card has been designed to help non-employed electrotechnical students attend high quality work experience placements. It can also help learners compete successfully for apprenticeships after gaining meaningful experience in the work environment.

The ECS Work Experience card identifies the holder as taking part in an unpaid work placement in the electrical industry and allows them access to CSCS-controlled sites, with their designated employer, in order to gain on-site work experience.

Electrotechnical

Auto Electrician

The Auto Electrician card is for those who carry out work to the electrical systems on automotive vehicles, to NVQ Level 3 standard. This work typically includes the maintenance, repair, adjustments and installation of electrical and electronic components independent of the motor vehicle, including related elementary mechanical adjustments.

Applicants should be skilled worker in the automotive industry who are capable of carrying out the work unsupervised and in a competent manner.

Building Controls Engineer

This card is for operatives who work unsupervised to install and maintain integrated building controls that manage the environmental services within a building, for the comfort of its users.

Typical work covered by this card includes the installation, commissioning, repair and maintenance of electromechanical, electronic or pneumatic measurement, control and regulation devices used in the building controls industry.

Qualifications that are needed for this card range from the industry NVQ level 3, to specialist courses managed and run by the BCIA.

Building Controls Integrator

The Building Controls Integrator’s role is to support the commission process of building energy management systems, including setting up, programming and end user training in the operating of the installed systems.

This card is suitable for technical staff that need to support the installation of building control systems, but are not likely to require the full scope of the industry apprenticeship to carry out their role.

Distribution Networks Electrician

The ECS Distribution Networks Electrician card is for operatives who are working in the supply distribution sector. Typically operatives will be working for a contractor installing, commissioning and testing high voltage electrical networks above and below ground, at sites during their construction or refurbishment.

Electrical Fitter

The Electrical Fitter’s ECS card is for skilled operatives who work unsupervised to assemble, install and maintain equipment associated with low voltage electrical systems and their electromechanical and electronic parts - such as machines, drive mechanisms, protective components, controls, regulator equipment and signals.

If you hold an ECITB NVQ Level 3 as shown in the criteria below, you can have the ACE (Assuring Competence in Engineering Construction) logo shown on your card.

Electrical Winder

The Electrical Winder’s ECS card is designed for skilled operatives who work unsupervised in the assembly, installation, testing and maintenance of electrical machines and equipment that use electrical winding as an integral part of its construction.

Experienced Worker - Standard

The Experienced Worker card (with a brown stripe) is for applicants that have a recognised technical certificate, but do not yet have a full industry qualification such as NVQ Level 3.

This card will only be valid for 18 months and cannot be renewed. This is to reflect that fact that the card is only issued to people who need to to complete the formal industry qualification meet the requirements of an ECS gold card and plan to do this within the next 18 months.

You will need to qualify to NVQ 3 level during the life of this card if you wish to upgrade to a gold card - this can be done via the JIB Mature Candidate Assessment.

Household Appliances Electrician

This card is for Household Appliance Electricians who install, commission, maintain and repair electrical household appliances. The appliances may be brown and white goods, or specialist equipment designed by a manufacturer for a specific purpose. Duties also include the demonstration of appliances to ensure their appropriate use by customers and clients.

Installation Electrician

The Installation Electrician ECS gold card is for NVQ Level 3 skilled individuals who work unsupervised on the installation, commissioning and maintenance of low voltage electrical and electronic devices and appliances in a consumer's electrical installation.

The gold card shows that the cardholder has completed a formal industry regulated competency based qualification, which includes technical theory with practical and competency assessments.

To apply for this card you must have a JIB recognised UK competency based qualification (electrotechnical Level 3 NVQ or a formal UK electrotechnical apprenticeship) plus a formal BS7671 qualification in the current edition of the wiring regulations in force when your application is made.

From 1st January 2019 applicants for this card will need to hold BS7671:2018 and also to signup to become a Registered Electrician.

Please see the table below for full qualification requirements depending on when you trained. If you trained outside the UK you must demonstrate the same qualification standard as UK trained electricians. For details visit the non-UK qualifications page.

If you are not qualified to the Level 3 NVQ, or cannot provide certificates to prove your qualifications, you have three options:

The JIB Mature Candidate Assessment helps operatives to become accredited at Level 3 standard
There are other ECS cards that will allow site access to carry out specific work, such as Labourer or Experienced Worker. These cards can be upgraded to a gold card when you qualify to the industry standard.
If you are a Qualified Supervisor with the NICEIC,ELECSA or the ECA, you may be able to apply for a gold card via them.

Instruments Mechanic

The ECS Instruments Mechanic card is designed for skilled operatives working in measurement and control systems for plant and industrial production lines - specifically the installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair of electromechanic, electronic or pneumatic measurement, control and regulation devices used in process engineering.

Electrical Labourer

New requirements are in place for Electrical Labourer card applications and renewals - see below for full details.

Download an information sheet on these changes

The Electrical Labourer ECS card is for people working in the electrical industry in a supportive role to assist electricians and other qualified staff with the installation of cables and other unskilled work, under supervision. They are to assist but not carry out any craft work that an electrician carries out.

A labourer has a specific job role within the JIB grading structure.

In some situations this card may be issued if you cannot meet the qualification requirements of other cards such as Installation Electrician. If you hold a Labourer card, you can upgrade to an ECS gold card once you have gained further qualifications.

Maintenance Electrician

The Maintenance Electrician ECS gold card is for operatives working on electrotechnical installations, plant and equipment to ensure their safe and continued operation. It shows that the operative has completed a formal industry regulated competency based qualification, which includes technical theory with practical and competency assessments.

To apply for this card you must have JIB recognised UK competency based qualification (electrotechnical Level 3 NVQ or a formal UK electrotechnical apprenticeship) and hold a formal BS7671 qualification in the current edition of the wiring regulations in force when your application is made.

From 1st January 2019 applicants for this card will need to hold BS7671:2018 and also to signup to become a Registered Electrician.

If you trained outside the UK you must demonstrate the same qualification standard as UK trained electricians. For details visit the non-UK qualifications page.

If you are not qualified to the UK Level 3 NVQ, or cannot provide certificates to prove your qualifications, you have two options:

The JIB Mature Candidate Assessment helps operatives to become accredited at Level 3 standard
There are other ECS cards that will allow site access to carry out specific work. These cards can be upgraded to a gold card when you qualify to the industry standard.

Marine Electrician

The Marine Electrician ECS gold card is for skilled operatives who install and maintain electrotechnical equipment in boats, ships, underwater craft, offshore platforms and drilling equipment.

Office Machines Mechanic

The Office Machines Mechanic ECS card is for operatives who install, commission and maintain electrotechnical machines, appliances and communications components in commercial offices. The machines may be standard manufacturer's equipment, or specialist equipment designed by a manufacturer for a specific purpose.

Radio/Television Electrician

This card is for skilled Radio/Television Electricians who work unsupervised to install, commission, maintain and repair radio and television receiving and/or transmitting equipment.

Telecommunications Fitter

The ECS Telecommunications Fitter card is designed for skilled operatives who carry out the installation, commissioning, repair and maintenance of telecommunications equipment.

Wireman/Panel Builder

The Wireman / Panel Builder ECS card is for operatives that install the internal cabling or equipment into panels designed to provide a power distribution or control function for a specific installation. The operative may also be involved in the pre-delivery inspection and testing of a control panel or the commissioning of a panel once installed on site by an Installation Electrician.

Management

ECS Site Support Occupation

The ECS Site Support Occupation card is for people working for an electrical contractor in a role where they are supporting the administration of a contract and need access to a building or site under construction.

You can apply for this card if your occupation involves supporting a contract such as: Design Engineer, Quantity Surveyor, Commissioning Engineer, IR Specialist , H&S Specialist , CAD Engineer, Compliance Auditor.

Please ensure you start a Managers application (and not a Craft application) in the ECS Employer Portal or in MyECS if you are applying for this card.

Manager

New requirements are in place for ECS Manager card applications and renewals - see below for full details.

The following management occupations are available:

Electrical Site Manager
Electrical Contract Manager
Site Manager
Project Manager
Contract Manager

Datacomms

Trainee Datacomms Specialist

The Trainee Datacomms Specialist card allows trainees to work on site to gain valuable industry experience during their training. The card is issued under the strict understanding that a formal industry training programme is being undertaken and that all work the trainee carries out is under supervision.

This card is for those who are undertaking training that leads to qualification as a Datacomms Specialist. The training should be no less than 2 years’ duration if the candidate has no previous industrial experience, but maybe shorter if the candidate a number of years industry or other relevant experience.

Datacomms Specialist

The ECS Datacomms Specialist card is for operatives who are qualified to level 2 in a recognised datacomms qualification, and are installing and maintaining structured cabling systems for datacomms systems.

Work typically includes the installation of structured cabling, including UTP, STP, FTP, Co-AX, general common cables, single-mode fibre and multi-mode fibre cables with all necessary containment and associated connection units; installation of earthing and bonding cables. Also the fitting out enclosures with structured cable termination equipment (connection units, hubs, switches, routers, patch panels etc).

Datacomms Specialist (CNCI)

The Datacomms Specialist (CNCI) card is for datacomms installers that are responsible for the installation, termination and commissioning of data network structured cabling and can demonstrate they have undertaken the Specialist Datacomms training programme required for the card.

The Datacomms Specialist is responsible for the installation, termination and commissioning of data network structured cabling, as part of a team or independently. The structured cabling must installed in accordance with national and international standards for both fibre-optic and copper cable data networks. The role requires a working knowledge of network pathways, use of containment, spaces and segregation for installation of cables, along with the safe termination and testing of structured cable termination equipment, connection units, hubs, switches, routers, patch panels and similar equipment.

Advanced Datacomms Specialist

The ECS Advanced Datacomms Specialist card is for operatives that are qualified to Level 3 in a recognised datacomms qualification and are installing, commissioning and maintaining structured cabling systems for datacomms systems.

Advanced Datacomms Specialist (CNCI)

The Advanced Datacomms Specialist card is for a senior members of a team with at least 3 years' post-qualification experience with direct responsibility for the installation, termination and commissioning of data network structured cabling, as part of a team or independently.

The structured cabling must installed in accordance with national and international standards for both fibre-optic and copper cable data networks.

This card is for datacomms installers that have previously held the ECS Datacomms Specialist (CNCI) card and can demonstrate that they have undertaken the CNCI refresher Specialist Datacomms training programme.

Datacomms Technician

The ECS Datacomms Technician card is for those who hold Advanced Datacomms Specialist in addition to 3 years' experience. They must be capable of designing, commissioning and modifying networks; can demonstrate supervisory experience and knowledge of emerging technologies, and be able to demonstrate knowledge of all necessary construction and wiring regulations.

Datacomms Technician (CNIT)

This card is for Datacomms Specialists and other datacomms coordinators who manage structured cabling installation teams, with at least three years’ experience and the required level 4 qualification.

The Datacomms Technician is expected to manage structured cabling installation teams including operational planning and leadership. This role includes conducting surveys for network infrastructure, project design and operational delivery management activities including the requirements for CDM, H&S documentation, quality assurance, customer liaison and final handover activities.

Datacomms Engineer

The Datacomms Engineer ECS card is for senior operatives who hold an ECS Datacomms Technician card and have 3 years' experience, or hold an appropriate higher qualification (Degree, HNC/HND etc.) in datacomms installation and commissioning network infrastructure.

Applicants must be suitably skilled to carry out the design, specification, estimation and documentation of large scale data or telecoms projects, and must be able to demonstrate extensive knowledge of appropriate European Directives and British, European and World standards.

Datacomms Designer (CNIDP)

The Datacomms Designer card is for those who have met the requirements of the Certified Network Infrastructure Design Professional (CNIDP) and have at least three years’ experience.

A Datacomms Designer is responsible for the design of networking solutions in all types of structured cabling solutions, including complex network infrastructure projects. Structured cabling designs may consist of inside and outside plant and equipment, copper and fibre-optic cables with active and passive network components.

The Datacomms Designer will interpret customer requirements using the appropriate tools to produce compliant design solutions, in accordance with national and international standards. The role can also include the development of Bid Response documents, including clarification documents, qualification statements, costings and project delivery timelines.

Datacomms Manager (CTPM)

Applicants for the Datacomms Manager card must have met the requirements of the Certified Telecommunications Project Manager (CTPM) with at least 3 years’ experience.

A Datacomms Manager is typically responsible for complex infrastructure projects, particularly in the datacentre environment, with a focus on pure project management activities. The role will include the management of customer relationships, through routine briefings and project meetings and the workforce, to complete the project, and includes monitoring and maintaining project progress with effective risk management and issue resolution.

Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Installer

The ECS Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Installer card is for operatives that hold specialist manufacturer training and/or industry recognised level 2 qualifications in the installation of fire detection and alarm systems.

Fire Detection & Alarms System Installer - Level 3

The Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Installer ECS card is for operatives that have gained the industry level 3 qualification in installation.

Working at this level typically requires the following knowledge and skills:

requirements of BS7671 for electrical safety
understanding of safety issues
effective working relationships
understanding of relevant electrical safety issues,
commissioning of fire protection systems

Fire Detection & Alarms Systems Designer

The Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Designer ECS card is for operatives that hold specialist manufacturer training and/or industry recognised level 2 qualifications in the design of fire detection and alarm systems.

Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Designer - Level 3

The Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Designer ECS card is for operatives that have gained the industry level 3 qualification in design.

Working at this level typically involves carrying out the following duties unsupervised:

assessment of fire risks
choice of detectors and/or suppression media
understanding of safety issues
effective working relationships
installation of fire protection systems.

Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Commissioning

The Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Commissioning ECS card is for operatives that hold specialist manufacturer training and/or industry recognised level 2 qualifications in commissioning fire detection and alarm systems.

Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Commissioning - Level 3

The Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Commissioning ECS card is for operatives that have gained the industry level 3 qualification in commissioning.

Working at this level typically involves carrying out the following duties unsupervised:

assessment of fire risks
choice of detectors and/or suppression media
understanding of safety issues
effective working relationships
installation of fire protection systems.

Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Maintenance

The Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Maintenance ECS card is for operatives that hold specialist manufacturer training and/or industry recognised level 2 qualifications in the maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems.

Emergency & Security Systems

Emergency & Security Systems Installer

The Emergency & Security Systems Installer ECS card is for operatives that hold specialist manufacturer training and/or industry-recognised level 2 qualifications in the installation of emergency and security systems.

Emergency & Security Systems Installer - Level 3

The Emergency & Security Systems Installer (Level 3) ECS card is for operatives who have gained the industry NVQ level 3 qualification and are installing, commissioning and maintaining security and emergency systems.

Emergency & Security Systems Maintenance

The ECS Emergency & Security Systems Maintenance card is for operatives that hold specialist manufacturer training and/or industry recognised level 2 qualifications in the maintaining of emergency and security systems.

Emergency & Security Systems Maintenance - Level 3

The Security & Emergency Systems Maintenance (Level 3) ECS card is for operatives who have gained the industry level 3 qualification and are diagnosing, maintaining and repairing security & emergency systems.

Working at this level typically involves carrying out the following duties unsupervised:

apply security system specification to physical installation and customer requirements
establish operational feasibility of security and emergency systems
install a complete system; install and test security system equipment which uses data transmission protocols
commission and handover operational security systems
audit installed security and emergency systems
diagnose causes of faults
rectify and restore
apply on-site security and emergency systems installation safety statutes and relevant regulations

Emergency & Security Systems Commissioning - Level 3

The Emergency & Security Systems Commissioning ECS card is for operatives who have gained the industry level 3 qualification and are diagnosing, maintaining and commissioning security and emergency systems.

Working at this level typically involves carrying out the following duties unsupervised:

apply security system specification to physical installation and customer requirements
establish operational feasibility of security and emergency systems
install a complete system; install and test security system equipment which uses data transmission protocols
commission and handover operational security systems
audit installed security and emergency systems
diagnose causes of faults
rectify and restore
apply on-site security and emergency systems installation safety statutes and relevant regulations

Emergency & Security Systems Surveyor

The Emergency & Security Systems Surveyor ECS card is for operatives who have gained the industry level 3 qualification and are carrying out site surveys for the installation of emergency and security systems.

Working at this level typically involves carrying out the following duties unsupervised:

survey and design a security/emergency system
maintain effective working relationships
make plans and arrangements for work on site
prepare a tender/quotation for the provision and maintenance of a basic security/emergency system
negotiate sales
solve problems on behalf of customers
make sales presentations to existing and potential customers

Related Disciplines

ECS Related Discipline

Related Discipline ECS cards are for those working in specialised electrotechnical disciplines, but do not carry out any electrical installation work. Their work is typically aligned to or in support of the electrical industry but is not already covered by a core ECS card.

The ECS Related Discipline cards available are:

Field Engineer
Equipment Installer
AV Engineer
Aerial and Satellite Engineer
Security Systems Installer
Control Systems Engineer

If you have not held this card before: please apply as per the requirements below. Initial card requirements will be changing later in the year and will be shown on this page when available.

If you already hold this card: once the new qualification is available you will not be able to renew it against the old criteria and will need to meet the new requirements. You will also need to transfer to one of the new occupations listed above. Download our guidance on which card you should transfer to based on your existing card.

Site Visitor

The ECS Site visitor card has now been withdrawn for new applications and cannot be renewed when it expires after 01/01/2019.

What's happening? The ECS Site Visitor card is being withdrawn, in alignment with the CSCS decision to withdraw the CSCS Site Visitor Card.

When? New applications for this card have been closed since August 2018. From 01 January 2019, any existing cardholders will not be able to renew their card.

Existing cards will be valid until their expiry date when a more suitable ECS card will need to be applied for if the cardholder will be working in an area of a construction site under development.

Please see “ECS Card Changes” for information about the changes to the scheme.

Academically Qualified Person (AQP)

Academically Qualified Person (AQP) ECS occupation provides registration for operatives and managers who have further education or Degree electrotechnical engineering qualifications that do not fit the standard industry recognised electrotechnical occupations.

The card indicates the particular specialism and qualification of the cardholder.

The categories available for the Academically Qualified Person (AQP) ECS card are:

Electrical Engineer (Power)
Electrical Engineer (Control)
Electrical Engineer (Instrumentation)
Electrical Engineer (Communications)
Electrical Engineer (Systems)
Electrical Engineer (Broadcasting)
Electrical Engineer (Electronics)

Professionally Qualified Person (PQP)

The ECS Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) card recognises the cardholder’s professional status through their registration with Institute of Engineering and Technology (The IET).

This card displays the IET logo on the card.

The Professionally Qualified Person card is currently only available to members of the IET.

Partner Cards

CEDIA

You must apply directly to CEDIA for this card…

The Home Technology Integrator ECS card allows custom installers of home technology, such as whole house AV systems, to access construction sites where a CSCS card is required.

The card recognises the specific training that Home Technology Integrators have taken with CEDIA approved qualifications.

CEDIA members have their membership recognised on the cards.

ECA QS Card

You must apply directly via the ECA for this card…

The ECA has partnered with JIB to offer Qualified Supervisors (QS) employed by ECA member businesses, the opportunity to apply for an ECS Gold Card. This route uses a QS’s long term experience and technical assessment history to demonstrate their eligibility to apply.

The ECA can offer Qualified Supervisors the opportunity to apply for an ECS gold card and be recognised as an Approved Electrician (Installation Electrician) under the rules of the ECS.
The qualification requirements for the QS card are the same as for a standard ECS Gold Card. The ECA verify the applicant's QS status.

In addition, Qualified Supervisors with an ECA member business who do not meet the set qualification routes can apply if they have represented the business in three consecutive assessments with the ECA and had a successful outcome on each.

This card is only valid while the company remains an ECA member business and the cardholder remains the company QS.

Gate Safe

You must apply directly to Gate Safe for this card…

This card is for Gate Safe installers that have met the safety training requirements of the Gate Installers Safety training programme. It shows that the holder has met the basic training requirements to understand the hazards involved in powered gate installations, and how to carry out an appropriate risk assessment to help reduce their danger.

HEA (ECS HERS Card)

You must apply directly to the HEA for this card…

The ECS HERS (Highway Electrical Registration Scheme) card is managed Highway Electrical Association (HEA)

The scheme embraces the need to address the specialist H&S requirements needed for those working on Highway electrical systems

ISCE Sound Engineer

You must apply directly to the ISCE for this card…

This card recognises the membership requirements for the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers (ISCE).

Sound engineers must be able to demonstrate that they have specialist knowledge and experience through their ISCE membership to be eligible for this card.

ISCE members have their membership recognised on the reverse of their card.

MPBA

You must apply directly to MPBA for this card…

This card is for staff of Modular and Portable Buildings Association (MPBA) members who have successfully completed the MPBA PDI training programme - the bespoke industry training and assessment programme for temporary buildings.

The card demonstrates that the cardholder has a basic knowledge of electrical safety for the pre-delivery inspection of modular and portable buildings and can identify potential electrical safety issues that need to be investigated further.

NICEIC & ELECSA QS Card

You must apply directly via the NICEIC or ELECSA for this card…

NICEIC and ELECSA can offer Qualified Supervisors the opportunity to apply for an ECS gold card and be recognised as an Approved Electrician (Installation Electrician) under the rules of the ECS.

The qualification requirements for the QS card are detailed on the scheme providers website.

This card is only valid while the company remains registered with the NICEIC or ELECSA and the cardholder remains the company QS.

To Apply

Apply online at www.niceic.com/goldcard or www.elecsa.co.uk/goldcard, phone 03330 156 625 or email qsgoldcard@certsure.com

SLEAT

You must apply directly via SLEAT for this card…

The Society of Laundry Engineers & Allied Trades (SLEAT) has developed a bespoke industry electrical safety training and assessment programme for staff involved in the commissioning and maintenance of industrial laundry systems.

The ECS issues this Related Discipline card for all operatives that have successfully completed this training programme.