By Sezai Aramaz, Founder of Learn Trade Skills
If you are already a fully qualified electrician, 2026 is not about learning the basics again. It is about deciding what to learn next and how to keep your skills relevant in a changing electrical industry.
I’m Sezai Aramaz, a practising electrician and the founder of Learn Trade Skills. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I work with qualified electricians every week who want to take the next step in their careers. Most are working steadily but feel unsure about what to learn next, especially as demand grows in areas like EV charge-point installation, solar PV, and electrical energy storage systems. The question I hear most is simple: what are the best electrical courses for fully qualified electricians in 2026?
With continued investment across renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, battery storage, and fire safety, demand is shifting. The industry is no longer just looking for electricians. It is looking for qualified electricians with specialist skills.
Being fully qualified gives you a strong base, but in my experience, it does not automatically cover specialist systems.
Areas like EV charging, solar PV, battery storage, and fire alarm systems are governed by additional UK standards and guidance, not just general electrical regulations. That is why extra training is required to remain compliant and work within your competence.
The rules are set and enforced by recognised bodies, including:
• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Electricity at Work Regulations
• The IET, through BS 7671 and specialist Codes of Practice
• MCS, for renewable energy standards and system compliance
• BSI and UK Government fire safety guidance, for fire alarm systems and building safety
Without specific training, electricians risk working outside their competence, which can lead to compliance issues, liability, and rejected work.
In 2026, specialist training is not about collecting certificates. It is about staying compliant, working safely, and being trusted with higher-responsibility work.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve seen a clear change in what electricians are being hired for. This hasn’t happened randomly. It’s being driven by who is investing, what the government is pushing, and what clients are now required to have. Certain areas are creating more work than others, and that’s where electricians are getting ahead.
EV charging is one of the clearest shifts I’ve seen. Local authorities, housing developers, commercial landlords, and businesses are all being pushed to install charging infrastructure. New residential developments are expected to include EV charging, and many commercial sites are retrofitting existing car parks.
This is creating ongoing work for electricians who are trained in EV charging installation, testing, and compliance.
Who’s driving it:
• UK Government and local councils
• Developers and commercial landlords
• Businesses upgrading fleets and facilities
Official guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electric-vehicles-costs-charging-and-infrastructure
Solar PV demand has grown steadily, but over the last year it has accelerated. Rising energy costs and Net Zero targets have pushed homeowners, landlords, and businesses to invest in on-site generation. Developers are also using solar to meet planning and sustainability requirements.
Electricians with Solar PV training are being brought in not just for installs, but for system upgrades, inspections, and fault work.
Who’s driving it:
• Homeowners and landlords
• Commercial property owners
• Developers meeting sustainability targets
Industry standards and governance:
https://mcscertified.com/standards/
Battery storage is one area that many electricians underestimate. As soon as solar PV is installed, battery storage often follows. Businesses are also investing in batteries to manage peak demand and reduce energy costs.
These systems introduce additional safety risks and compliance requirements, which is why trained electricians are needed. This has created specialist work that not every electrician can take on.
Who’s driving it:
• Homeowners with solar PV
• Commercial sites managing energy demand
• Renewable installers expanding services
Industry guidance:
https://electrical.theiet.org/publications/codes-of-practice/electrical-energy-storage-systems/
Fire alarm work has become increasingly compliance-led. Managing agents, landlords, schools, offices, and commercial buildings are under more pressure to prove their systems are compliant, tested, and maintained correctly.
This has created steady, repeat work for electricians trained in fire alarm installation, commissioning, and maintenance. Unlike some areas, this demand exists regardless of the wider economy.
Who’s driving it:
• Managing agents and landlords
• Commercial and public sector buildings
• Insurers and fire safety enforcement
Government fire safety responsibilities:
https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities
One of the biggest mistakes I see electricians make is booking specialist courses without fully checking whether they meet the entry requirements. This is especially common with EV charging, solar PV, battery storage, and other renewable or specialist electrical courses.
These courses are not entry-level. They are designed to build on existing electrical competence, not replace it.
I’m often asked whether you need to be registered with a Competent Person Scheme (CPS) or already hold a Gold Card before booking. Based on the official City & Guilds documentation for 2024–2025, CPS registration is not required to take renewable courses. What is required is proof that you are a competent, practising electrician.
For the main City & Guilds renewable qualifications EV Charging (2921), Solar PV (2922), and Electrical Energy Storage Systems (2923), learners must normally hold one of the following:
• A recognised Level 3 electrotechnical qualification (such as 2357, 5357, 2356, 2346, or 2347)
• OR an ECS Gold Card (Installation, Maintenance, or Domestic Electrician)
• OR an equivalent qualification listed in the EAS qualification tables
In most cases, qualifications are expected to be no more than five years old, unless you hold the latest BS 7671 Wiring Regulations qualification. Training centres are also required by City & Guilds to verify and retain evidence that learners meet these requirements.
Where people often get confused is with CPS and MCS schemes. While scheme registration is not needed to take the course, those schemes often use qualifications like EV, Solar PV, or Battery Storage training later, when electricians or businesses apply for registration.
In practice, many electricians follow this route:
gain a Level 3 NVQ and ECS Gold Card, complete specialist City & Guilds courses, then use those qualifications as part of a CPS or MCS application if required.
Understanding this difference saves time, money, and frustration. Booking the right course at the right stage ensures the qualification genuinely supports your next career step, rather than creating a dead end.
(Domestic, Small Commercial & Large-Scale)
What you learn
What it prepares you for
What you learn
What it prepares you for
What you learn
What it prepares you for
(Aligned with BS 5839-6)
What you learn
What it prepares you for
(Aligned with BS 5839-1 and BAFE expectations)
What you learn
What it prepares you for
Each of these qualifications goes beyond standard electrical work. They introduce new standards, higher responsibility, and additional compliance requirements.
This is what allows fully qualified electricians to move into specialist work confidently, legally, and in line with what the industry now expects.
This is extremely common. Many electricians I speak to assume they are either not ready or fully ready, when in reality they are usually one step away.
That is why we offer a free eligibility checker at Learn Trade Skills. It reviews your qualifications and experience and gives you a clear answer on whether you are ready for renewable or specialist training, or what needs addressing first. There is no obligation. It is simply about clarity.
At Learn Trade Skills, we don’t just teach from a classroom. We work with real systems, on real projects.
We deliver City & Guilds 2921 (EV Charging), 2922 (Solar PV), and 2923 (Battery Storage) courses, alongside EAL fire alarm training for both domestic and commercial installations. All training follows current UK standards and industry guidance.
Two examples show how this works in practice.
Holland Bazaar commercial project
Our learners have worked on the Holland Bazaar project, gaining experience on a live commercial site. This helps bridge the gap between training and real site work, so electricians understand how installations work in practice, not just in theory.
Solar PV at our training centre
Our training centre has a working solar PV system installed on the building. This was completed as part of training, giving learners hands-on experience with installing, testing, and commissioning a system that is still in use today.
All of our training is based on the same standards used on site, including BS 7671, IET Codes of Practice, BS 5839, BAFE guidance, and MCS requirements. This means what you learn in training directly matches what is expected on real jobs, both in domestic and commercial environments.
Our aim is simple. When electricians leave our courses, they are ready for real work, real responsibility, and the direction the industry is moving in.
What’s the best electrical course for fully qualified electricians in 2026?
From my experience, specialist courses like EV charging, solar PV, battery storage, and fire alarm systems offer the best opportunities.
Why do fully qualified electricians still need more training?
Because specialist systems follow additional rules and standards. Extra training keeps you compliant and working within your competence.
Do I need CPS registration to take these courses?
No. CPS registration isn’t required to take the courses. You just need to be a competent, practising electrician.
Do I need an ECS Gold Card?
A Gold Card is one route, but recognised Level 3 electrical qualifications are also accepted.
Which skills are most in demand right now?
EV charging, renewables, battery storage, and fire alarm work are creating the most consistent demand.
Are fire alarm courses worth it?
Yes. Fire alarm work is compliance-led and provides steady domestic and commercial work.
What if I’m not sure I meet the entry requirements?
That’s common. Most electricians are either ready or only one step away, and it’s always best to check first.
BAFE – Fire Safety Scheme Information
Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV)
UK Government – Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
UK Government – Renewable & Low Carbon Energy Policy
IET Code of Practice for Electrical Energy Storage Systems
UK Government – Workplace Fire Safety Responsibilities
For me, 2026 is not about electricians starting again. It’s about staying relevant, compliant, and in demand as the industry continues to change. I’m seeing clear growth in areas like EV charging, renewables, battery storage, and fire alarm systems, all driven by regulation and long-term investment.
The electricians who move ahead are the ones who choose the right specialist training, training that builds on what they already know and matches real site standards. That is what keeps your skills future-proof and your career moving forward.
Sezai Aramaz is the esteemed founder of Learn Trade Skills, boasting over 40 years of experience in the electrical industry in the UK. With two decades dedicated to educating future electricians, he served as an Electrical Installation Lecturer and Assessor. Aramaz's expertise and commitment have contributed significantly to the growth and proficiency of aspiring tradespeople in the field.
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut pretium tristique purus nec consectetur. Nulla feugiat eget tellus aliquam scelerisque. Sed eget luctus enim, sed mattis enim. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut pretium tristique purus nec consectetur. Nulla feugiat eget tellus aliquam scelerisque. Sed eget luctus enim, sed mattis enim.Nulla feugiat eget tellus aliquam scelerisque. Sed eget luctus enim, sed mattis enim. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut pretium tristique purus nec consectetur. Nulla feugiat eget tellus aliquam scelerisque. Sed eget luctus enim, sed mattis enim.”
William Goss
Electrician course
11/11/2024
