Are you ready for the 17th?

This is the most significant overhaul of the Wiring Regulations since 1992, and has understandably caused some concern among firms within the industry, which are now seeking to register for courses and get under way with training well in advance of the finalised changes.

By July 2008, all firms designing electrical installations will have to comply with the revised regulations. Contractors that employ staff will be expected to ensure their workforce is up to date in order to fulfil their contractual obligations.

Although these new regulations do not differ radically from the 16th Edition, there are some important differences that will make significant changes to the way clients do business.

The new regulations impose a legal requirement on the client to take responsibility for ensuring that any work commissioned is in compliance. The client’s duty is no longer to simply go with the best price, but to also ensure competence, safety and quality by contracting those with sufficient technical knowledge of the regulations.

Clauses in contracts can be expected to specify that contractors demonstrate competence to carry out work that complies. The most effective way of satisfying this is proof of up-to-date, industry-recognised qualifications.

The ECA has developed a suite of qualification options that is designed to suit every need. Three qualification options are available to electrical workers.

• T60 Assessment only. This is a paper-based assessment option, available only to ECS gold-card holders. This assessment enables contractors to carry out their own self-study and review of the changes to the Wiring Regulations, to formally demonstrate their knowledge.
• T62 Update Course (one day). The update course is intended solely for delegates who hold any pre-qualifications that have been approved by the industry standard-setting body, SummitSkills, as sufficient to indicate good knowledge of BS 7671: 2001.

This would cover City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671: June 2001/Electrotechnical Technology Installation/Electrotechnical Technology Electrical Maintenance/Electrical Installation Part Two.

The course covers the changes to BS 7671 and ends with a theory examination.

• .T64 17th Edition Full Course (three days). This course covers the full 17th Edition regulations and is open to all. It is suitable for those who are qualified but are looking for an in-depth overview of the new regulations, or anyone who has not done any of the acceptable prerequisite courses applicable to the one-day update course (T62).

All three options result in successful candidates achieving the industry-recognised BS 7671: 2008 qualification.

Operatives who have not undertaken formal training since 2001 are advised to take the more in-depth full 17th Edition qualification. This will also be relevant to operatives who wish to fully immerse themselves in the new regulations as part of their continual professional development (CPD). Operatives who regularly keep up to date with amendments or have recently trained as apprentices only need the update course.

A practical approach to training and CPD is an essential part of any business. Updating on the new standards will provide a valuable opportunity to relook at existing skills, particularly with the enhanced requirement for contractors to demonstrate their competence in order to secure work.