EAS Management Committee Occupational Competence Position Statement

The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) Management Committee is committed to upholding the highest standards of occupational competence for individuals undertaking electrotechnical work, to ensure safety, quality, and professional behaviour across the industry.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Regulation 16, states:

No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger or, where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.

The EAS Management Committee advocates for a robust and consistent framework that ensures registered and proposed qualified supervisors are assessed against industry-recognised standards, safeguarding public and workplace safety.

EAS sets out the mandatory technical competence requirements across different categories of electrotechnical work activity for qualifying supervisors and employed persons, including directly employed individuals, temporary, agency and/or subcontracted labour including self-employed individuals and sole traders.

To meet industry standards of occupational competence, individuals undertaking electrotechnical work without supervision must have completed an approved vocational training programme due to the safety-critical nature of their role. This is either an apprenticeship or equivalent industry-recognised structured training programme, such as the Level 3 NVQ, which combines the acquisition of relevant knowledge and understanding with the development of practical skills, installation techniques, safe working practices and expected behaviours, evidenced by application through experience in a real work environment.

Acceptable, industry-recognised current and historic qualifications, indentures and deeds are detailed in the EAS Qualifications Guide.

Current electrician training routes for all UK nations provide a structured pathway to validate occupational competence and ensure that all electricians meet the same minimum industry benchmark.

To achieve an apprenticeship or equivalent industry-recognised structured training programme, achievement of an independent end point assessment of competence, the AM2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, FICA in Scotland, is required to validate that the individual has developed the required skills, knowledge and behaviours during their work-based training experience to meet industry standards.

For eligible individuals with sufficient industry knowledge and practising experience but without a formal apprenticeship or vocational qualification, there is a dedicated route to validate their occupational competence. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Experienced Worker Assessment is available. In Scotland, the Crediting Electrical Competence (CEC) scheme is available.

EAS Appendix 10 provides guidance on adequate supervision methods for individuals who do not meet industry standards of occupational competence, determined by the level of competence held and the risks involved in the nature of the electrotechnical work.

As technology, standards, regulations and working practices evolve, individuals undertaking electrotechnical work must engage in further learning through continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance their knowledge, skills and behaviour. EAS Appendix 11 provides guidance on demonstrating the competence of the individuals.

The EAS Management Committee will regularly approve updates to the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification and accompanying EAS Qualifications Guide to reflect industry advancements and maintain high standards of occupational competency, including expected future requirements for periodic revalidation of competence.

Signed by the EAS Management Committee

December 2025