During the past 5 years, the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) has been communicating to those individuals affected, about withdrawing cards under the Conditional route. Conditional Electrician cards, which are those issued under industry accreditation routes, all expire by the end of 2024 and cannot be renewed.
There are now fewer than 20 Conditional Electricians remaining, but with only two months to go, ECS is urging them to either consider other card options available or undertake an Experienced Worker Assessment to retain their Electrician occupation card.
To support this change, the JIB Skills Development Fund has agreed to provide full funding for those who wish to undertake the Experienced Worker Assessment and cannot obtain funding through the government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee. If this applies to you, and you want to find out more about the support available, please email
ir@jib.org.uk and a member of the Team will be able to advise on potential funding routes.
Other card types, updated since 2018, are also being phased out. This includes Fire Detection and Alarms, or Emergency and Security Systems Cards, with cardholders advised they will need to move over to the Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) suite of ECS cards based on newer UK standards from the start of 2025. JIB and ECS helped to develop two Experienced Worker Assessment routes for Fire & Security in 2023 and 2024, with options through multiple training providers (awarded by BPEC and EAL awarding organisations), with EWA routes to an ECS gold card for both full scope and individual specialism routes (such as installation only).
The same will apply for old Datacomms cards, with the Network Infrastructure standards having been in place for several years, and an Experienced Worker Assessment now live for network cable installers with date to be confirmed as to when updated standards become mandatory for all. This is predominantly focused on the minimum standard for competence operating as a Level 3, rather than Level 2, in this sector.
You can find out more information about the various Experienced Worker Assessments available for various occupations
here.
Log in to your MyECS or Employer Portal account for latest information on your card or changes for your employees.