ECS – Electrical & Plumbing Skills

All ECS Articles

ECS

17th August 2026

JIB funding now available for EAL’s Air Source Heat Pump qualification

EAL is pleased to confirm that funding support is now available for Joint Industry Board (JIB) member companies and their employees undertaking the new EAL Level 3 Award in the Design, Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pump Systems (Non-refrigerant Circuits) (610/7301/5). JIB member companies often deliver mechanical building services engineering and electrotechnical work across a range […]

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ECS

5th August 2026

ECS and NET digital integration streamlines apprentice applications for first gold card

A new digital integration between National Electrotechnical Training (NET) and the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) is set to make it quicker and easier for apprentices to obtain their first ECS gold card. Previously, an apprentice would have to wait for a certificate to arrive from the Department for Education to demonstrate they had successfully completed […]

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ECS

28th July 2026

ECS Steering Committee approves two additional courses

The ECS Steering Committee approved the following qualification courses on 2 July 2026:• LCL Safe Isolation Procedure Training Course• FireQual Level 3 Award in the Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Emergency Lighting Systems to BS5266-1:2025 (610/3844/1) LCL Safe Isolation Procedure Training Course The LCL Safe Isolation Procedure Training Course has been approved as a […]

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ECS

20th July 2026

Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship support welcomed

JIB and ECS have welcomed Government initiatives to support training for young people. The Government will be fully funding apprenticeship training for eligible 16-24-year-olds at non-levy paying employers from the next academic year, expanding foundation apprenticeships and introducing short courses to help businesses develop the skills they need in England. This builds on increased flexibility […]

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ECS

19th May 2026

The possible bottleneck in the electrotechnical qualifications sector

Are new EAS requirements and tighter ECS criteria set to squeeze the workforce at a time when electrical expertise is more critical than ever? The UK electrotechnical sector is approaching a critical pressure point. Following the introduction of the updated Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) and wider electrical scheme changes coming into force this October, registered […]

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ECS

8th April 2026

Wiring Regulations Amendment 4: qualification changes

Amendment 4 (2026) BS 7671:2018 will be published in April 2026. It is not feasible for EAL and City & Guilds to make a further update to their existing BS 7671: 2018 qualifications, therefore they will each be launching a replacement Level 3 award. Existing 18th Edition qualifications will continue to meet the requirements of […]

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ECS

20th January 2026

Emergency lighting qualification recognised as CPD for electricians and fire technicians

The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) has confirmed the recognition of the EAL Level 3 Award in the Design, Installation and Maintenance of Emergency Lighting Systems as an approved CPD qualification for electricians and fire & emergency systems (FESS) technicians. The qualification supports competent, qualified operatives to deepen their technical understanding of emergency lighting systems in […]

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ECS

20th January 2026

Underpinning Knowledge tests approved as entry route to ECS Experienced Worker card

The ECS Steering Committee has approved the EAL Electrical Underpinning Knowledge and Understanding Tests as an eligibility route for the Experienced Worker card for electricians with substantial industry experience. This route, developed with input from The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), is strictly limited to experienced operatives who can demonstrate breadth of practical work and meet […]

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ECS

13th January 2026

LCL low-carbon qualifications with strengthened entry requirements meet ECS approval

The ECS Steering Committee has confirmed continued recognition of low-carbon technology qualifications offered by LCL Awards. This follows the introduction of clearer, more robust entry requirements which are aligned to industry expectations. The updated framework reinforces that these qualifications are intended for qualified and practising electricians, ensuring that low-carbon technologies – such as solar PV, […]

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News

Enginuity Skills Awards 2027: nominations now open

New podcast with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith

Teenagers back vocational reforms and defy outdated stigma

New HPA UK guidance for installers: insulating external pipework for air-water heat pumps

Electrical

New podcast with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith

Teenagers back vocational reforms and defy outdated stigma

Apprentice-turned-President Sam Hubbard to lead the Institution of Engineering and Technology

Sussex skills alliance launched to grow next generation of electrical talent

Plumbing & Heating

New podcast with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith

Teenagers back vocational reforms and defy outdated stigma

New HPA UK guidance for installers: insulating external pipework for air-water heat pumps

Grant UK supports Jersey Green Skills Academy

Features

Closing the skills gap: the value of apprenticeships

Why apprenticeships must work for employers

Is a plumbing and heating career AI proof?

Could new training obligations widen the electrical skills gap?

Learning Zone

Knowledge check: gas

Knowledge check: plumbing

Knowledge check: electrical

Safe isolation: work safe, go home safe

All ECS Articles

JIB funding now available for EAL’s Air Source Heat Pump qualification

ECS and NET digital integration streamlines apprentice applications for first gold card

ECS Steering Committee approves two additional courses

Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship support welcomed

The possible bottleneck in the electrotechnical qualifications sector

Wiring Regulations Amendment 4: qualification changes

Emergency lighting qualification recognised as CPD for electricians and fire technicians

Underpinning Knowledge tests approved as entry route to ECS Experienced Worker card

LCL low-carbon qualifications with strengthened entry requirements meet ECS approval

All ECS Articles

JIB funding now available for EAL’s Air Source Heat Pump qualification

ECS and NET digital integration streamlines apprentice applications for first gold card

ECS Steering Committee approves two additional courses

Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship support welcomed

The possible bottleneck in the electrotechnical qualifications sector

Wiring Regulations Amendment 4: qualification changes

Emergency lighting qualification recognised as CPD for electricians and fire technicians

Underpinning Knowledge tests approved as entry route to ECS Experienced Worker card

LCL low-carbon qualifications with strengthened entry requirements meet ECS approval

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