| By :
Martin Hofschroer
Electricians should ensure they are fully qualified as homeowners are more vigilant towards rogue tradesmen. The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) has advised consumers to be on their guard against tradesmen who have not completed industry approved electrical courses as they can damage property and cause potentially fatal accidents. Homeowners are being told to investigate whether electricians have passed part p courses and 17th edition courses before they allow them to undertake work on their property. Electricians who have not passed the appropriate electrical courses are more likely to cut corners and perform unsafe work that will be expensive to rectify at a later date if it is not discovered immediately. ECA Group chief executive David Pollock said that rogue electricians damage the reputation of the electrical industry and more important risk the lives of unsuspecting consumers. He said: "The public needs to ensure that they employ people who are qualified, competent and most importantly safe. "At the very least, cowboy electricians rip-off customers and at worse there could be fatal consequences if work is not done properly or safely. We're not trying to frighten people; we simply want the public to get the result their investments deserve." Existing electricians will benefit from 17th edition courses if they are not already familiar with the layout, content and application of the BS 7671 (2008) 17th Regulations Edition. There is no practical work on 17th edition courses as the regulations and their application are covered through worked examples and there is a multiple choice examination at the end of it. Diane Johnson, President of the ECA, has said that she will use her tenure to encourage more people to take electrical courses because the industry is facing a skills shortage. She said: "We are facing extremely challenging times, with many businesses still suffering the effects of the recession and having to cut back as a result. "Apprenticeships are often amongst the first casualties. This is not only bad for the economy and young people in particular, but could be disastrous for the electrical industry, which is facing a very real skills crisis." Wannabe electricians should be aware that the first step on the road to becoming fully qualified is to take the industry recognised City & Guilds NVQ 2330 Level 2 qualification and this will allow progression onto Level 3. Practising electricians may be interested in the City & Guilds 2391 Inspection, Testing and Certification of Installations qualification as this will enhance their range of skills.
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