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Employers of electrical apprentices

An electrical apprentice is a licensed worker only while under a contract of training and under supervision by an employer.

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Introduction

An apprentice is a licensed electrical worker only while under a training contract and under supervision by an employer.

An employer must only use licensed electrical workers to carry out electrical installation work.

An apprentice is a licensed electrical worker while:

  • under a training contract
  • supervision by an employer.

If an apprentice’s training contract has expired, they are no longer considered a licensed electrical worker.

For you to continue to legally employ your apprentice, you and your apprentice must decide what steps to take next.

Employers of electrical apprentices - flowchart

Employers of electrical apprentices flowchart - showing 7 steps to be completed
Employers of electrical apprentices - flowchart

Employers of electrical apprentices - flowchart

(See numbered steps on the flowchart image)

[Start]

1) Is your apprentice’s schooling or profiling complete? -> Yes -> (go to 2)
|
No
|
Apprentice should - extend the training contract
- contact their trade school & complete schooling ---- (go to 1)

2) Have they passed all assessments? -> Yes -> (go to 3)
|
No -> You can keep employing them for electrical work for up to 3 months from completion date -> After 3 months -> (go to 5)

3) Have you given the apprentice an Employer’s letter**? -> No -> Provide a letter to your apprentice apprentice

** An Employer’s letter includes these points:
* That your apprentice has carried out a minimum period of 12 months of electrical installation work with the company (dates to be provided)
*The type of electrical work they have carried out
* The type of equipment they have worked on
* The type of industries they have worked in (domestic, industrial or commercial)

The letter must be
- on a business letterhead (or have the company details included) and
- be signed by you/the employer
- > (go to 3)
|
Yes -> (go to 4)

4) Have they passed all licensing assessments and gained an A Grade licence? -> Yes -> (go to 5)
|
No -> (go to 6)

5) Check eligibility for Class A Electrician’s licence [End]

6) Apprentice must obtain a Supervised Worker's licence
This licence is temporary. It allows them to do electrical installation work under the supervision of an A Grade Electrician until they have obtained their own A Grade Electrician’s licence.
|
Have they got a Supervised Worker’s licence? -> Yes -> You may employ them temporarily while they work to get an A Grade licence -> (go to 4)

7) It is illegal for you to employ them to do electrical work.

Download Employers of electrical apprentices - flowchart

If your apprentice’s schooling and Licensed Electrician's Assessment (LEA) are complete

If your apprentice’s schooling is complete, but they haven't passed all licensing assessments

Your apprentice needs to apply for a Supervised Worker’s Licence (L).

If your apprentice’s training contract is complete, but they have not yet successfully passed all licensing assessments, you can continue to employ them for 3 months from their completion date. The apprentice can carry out electrical installation work in this 3 month period.

If they do not pass all licensing assessments and gain an A Grade Electrician's licence in this 3 month period, they must have a Supervised Worker’s Licence.

The Supervised Worker's Licence is temporary. It allows them to do electrical installation work under the supervision of an A Grade Electrician until they have obtained their own A Grade Electrician’s licence.

  • Image of a Supervised Workers Licence

    The steps required for your apprentice to obtain a Supervised Worker’s Licence are:

    1. Confirm their eligibility using the checklist:
      Apply for a Supervised Worker's Licence
      pdf 150.05 KB | Updated: 16 May 2023
    2. Confirm they have all the correct documentation
    3. Register with ESVConnect
    4. Complete a Supervised Worker's licence application on ESVConnect
    5. Pay the licencing fee.

    You may employ an apprentice temporarily while they work to get an A Grade licence.

    An apprentice must stop carrying out electrical installation work immediately if:

    • it's more than 3 months past the apprentice's completion date
    • they do not meet the criteria for an electrical licence.

    If your apprentice continues to work under these circumstances, both you and your apprentice may be subject to prosecution and severe penalties.

If your apprentice’s schooling or profiling is incomplete

  • If your apprentice has not completed their schooling (including profiling) at the end of their training contract, they should take these steps:

    • extend the apprenticeship completion date
    • contact their Registered Training Organisation (trade school) to complete any outstanding schooling.

    Information about how to apply for an extension is on the VRQA websiteExternal Link

    You must not employ unlicensed people.

    You must not continue to use an apprentice to carry out electrical installation work if their contract ends and is not extended. If you do, both you and your apprentice may be subject to prosecution and severe penalties.

Licensing Electrician's Assessments

If your apprentice has not yet completed their Licensed Electrician's Assessment (LEA), see Undertaking the Licensed Electrician's Assessment

Further information

If you would like further information, you can contact the Licensing team:

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Date: 06/06/2023 11:20

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Reviewed 16 May 2023

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