Sezai Aramaz, Director, Learn Trade Skills I have spent over 40 years working in the electrical industry, and one of the most common problems I see is confusion around qualifications. Not because the system is complicated, but because people are rarely told what each qualification is actually there to do. Many learners end up collecting […]
Tolga Aramaz: CEO, Learn Trade Skills When people come to us looking to change career, this is almost always the first question they ask me:“How long will it realistically take me to become a qualified electrician?” There’s a lot of misinformation online, so in this guide I want to give you a clear, honest timeline, […]
If you’re already a fully qualified electrician, 2026 isn’t about learning the basics again. It’s about deciding what to add next so you stay compliant, widen the type of work you can take on, and keep your skills relevant as the industry moves fast. In this guide, we break down the best electrical courses for fully qualified electricians in 2026, who each course is for, and how to choose the right one based on the work you want to do.
This 2026 electrician career plan explains the best route through electrical courses in the UK, from beginner level to fully qualified electrician status. It covers which electrician qualifications employers respect, why structured electrical training matters, and the step-by-step Gold Card pathway including Level 2 and 3 (2365), 18th Edition (BS 7671), Inspection and Testing (2391-52), NVQ Level 3, and the AM2 assessment. You’ll also learn how long it typically takes to qualify full-time vs part-time, what real site work progression looks like, and the career outcomes and earnings you can expect once you’re qualified and eligible for the ECS Gold Card.
Learn Trade Skills launched the UK’s first fully accredited Gold Card Electrical Course Package in 2023, creating a clear, structured route to becoming a qualified electrician without an apprenticeship. While others now offer similar courses, LTS remains the industry benchmark. The programme covers all required qualifications — from EAL-approved Basic Electrical Skills to Level 2 and 3 Diplomas, 18th Edition, Part P, 2391-52, and NVQ Level 3 — all taught in-centre by qualified instructors. It also includes essential CPD safety modules in Asbestos Awareness, Manual Handling, and Working at Heights, ensuring every learner is fully compliant and site-ready upon completion.
In the UK trades industry, competence, safety, and professionalism are more important than ever. Yet too many new entrants and cross-skilled workers are trained in outdated ways — focused on theory, not reality. As both the CEO of Learn Trade Skills
and WireNow, and a qualified Site Manager, I’ve seen this gap firsthand. That’s why we developed our Basic Electrical Course — a programme built by the industry, for the industry, officially approved by EAL, and packed with integrated CPD (Continuing Professional Development) modules.
In this article, I’ll explain why this course is setting a new benchmark for practical training in the UK, how the CPD elements address the exact safety challenges reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
, and how it helps individuals and employers meet real industry needs.
The electrical industry in the UK is built on a foundation of safety, compliance, and professionalism. At the heart of this foundation lies BS 7671 – the IET Wiring Regulations, the standard every electrician must follow. With the recent publication of Amendment 3 to the 18th Edition in 2024, staying up to date is no longer optional — it’s a professional obligation.
Over my 40 years working as an electrician and 20 years lecturing, I have seen first-hand how much the trade has changed. From the shift towards renewable energy to the rapid growth of electric vehicle charging and smart technology, each new edition or amendment of the Wiring Regulations reflects real-world changes that electricians must adapt to.
This guide will walk you through the essentials of the 18th Edition, explain what Amendment 3 (2024) means for your work, highlight when the 19th Edition is expected, and show you how to find a reputable 18th Edition course in London. Whether you are just starting your journey or you’ve been on the tools for decades, understanding the Wiring Regulations is the key to staying safe, compliant, and employable in today’s industry.
The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) with Amendment 3 are essential for every UK electrician because they set the legally recognised standard for safe electrical installations, ensuring compliance with insurers, employers, and Competent Person Schemes like NICEIC and NAPIT; Amendment 3, introduced in July 2024, addresses modern challenges such as bidirectional power flows from solar, battery storage, and EV charging, requiring updated protective devices and clearer labelling—without this qualification, electricians risk failed inspections, invalid insurance, and lost job opportunities, making it vital for both safety and employability across the industry.
You cannot get an ECS Gold Card without completing Level 2 and Level 3 in Electrical Installations. These qualifications are essential because they provide the underpinning knowledge you need — Level 2 covers the basics of wiring and safety, while Level 3 takes you into advanced inspection, testing, and design. Without them, you cannot progress to your NVQ Level 3 or AM2, which are the final steps toward becoming a fully qualified electrician.
Fire alarms save lives. In 2024/25, UK Fire and Rescue Services attended 603,942 incidents, including 142,494 fires (Gov.uk Fire Statistics). With regulations tightening under BS 5839 and Part P Building Regulations, skilled fire alarm installers are more in demand than ever. At Learn Trade Skills, based in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire (Broxbourne area), we deliver fire alarm […]
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William Goss
Electrician course
11/11/2024
