A new initiative aimed at ensuring the competence of electrical contractors has been launched by the Electrical Installation Industry Liaison Committee (EIILC). The scheme, which complements a range of government initiatives, will provide a single set of criteria for the regular technical assessment of electrical contractors.

Currently there is no statutory requirement for those undertaking electrical installation work to be qualified. The industry has a low entry threshold and attracts a significant number of unqualified contractors.

The proposed scheme allows for comprehensive assessment of all electrical installation work including security, fire alarm and process control systems. It offers the potential for one-stop technical assessment that avoids the need for multiple certification from different assessment agencies. Clients will have the assurance that their contractor has been satisfactory assessed, is technically competent with all the current relevant standards, regulations and codes of practice and is fully able to carry out the work. Contractors will be assessed at least every three years.

EIILC believes that the scheme has the potential to be developed as a standard of competence for the entire electrical contracting industry. "The development and adoption of a single industry scheme is essential for the future qualification of electrical contractors," commented Keith Morriss, Chairman of EIILC. "It will provide the industry standard for electrical competence. Contractors meeting the requirements will receive a certificate detailing all the categories of work for which they have been satisfactorily assessed. Clients will have all that essential information on one piece of paper."

Anna Lagerkvist