City & Guilds recently announced changes to its EV charge point qualifications from September, following a consultation period with the industry and key stakeholders of the Electrical Vehicle Charger (EVC) market. The change will see the existing 2919 qualifications replaced with a new C&G 2921 standard.
Why is this change necessary?
As the UK continues to grow its Electric Vehicle infrastructure there is a need to standardise practices within the industry which can be adhered to by manufacturers, suppliers and installers. City & Guilds 2921 has been created to better reflect the future requirements of the Electric Vehicle charging industry, also reducing the risk of unsafe and inefficient practices from taking place. An audit conducted in 2020 found that as many of 20% of electric vehicle installations tested were deemed to be potentially dangerous whilst a number also didn't adhere to BS7671 wiring regulations. Such findings have left industry stake holders crying out for a revision to the qualification pathway for electric vehicle charge point installers to ensure best practices are met across the sector.
What's the difference between C&G 2919 and C&G 2921 qualifications?
The below highlights the key difference between the current and new qualification and what it means for trainees looking to book onto an EV installers course.
1. Introduction of 3 distinct qualification pathways
City & Guilds 2921 will have three distinct pathways that cover various aspects of electric vehicle charging. These include...
- 2921-31 Design and installation of domestic and small commercial electric vehicle charging installations
- 2921-32 Design and Quality Assurance of largescale electric vehicle charging installations
- 2921-33 Installation and maintenance of largescale electric vehicle charging installations
C&G 2921-31 will be the direct successor to C&G 2919-01 enabling learners to design, install, inspect, test, commission and maintain EV charge point installations. There are no plans to combine the three pathways into one comprehensive qualification at this stage.
2. Changes to entry level requirements
City & Guilds 2921 qualification has raised the entry requirements making it less accessible for those who are new to the industry. From September it will be mandatory for learners to be either a practicing electrician or electrical engineer in order to attend an EV charge point installation course.
Candidates will also need to already hold a Level 3 NVQ Diploma or Electrotechnical qualification, similar/older qualifications will also be considered including an ECS Gold Card. Those with older qualifications (more than 5 years old) will need to demonstrate continuing professional development (CPD) to successfully enrol on a course, for example keeping up to date with the current 18th Edition Wiring Regulations.
Much of the change around entry requirements is designed to curb complete beginners from applying and reduce the level of bad practices within the industry. City & Guilds have stated that external quality assurance measures will be in place to ensure that minimum entry requirements are being implemented and adhered to by any training providers.
What about those who hold a C&G 2919-01 qualification?
It is unclear at the moment whether C&G 2919 qualified candidates will be able to sit the new 2921 course. Some allowance could well be given to candidates that have demonstrated CPD within the field or currently work as an EV installer/engineer, however this is only speculative at this stage. Further consultation is expected over the next couple of months, so its likely more will be revealed then.
3. Overhaul of course content
The course content has been changed, to focus directly on EV charger installation and health and safety issues surrounding them, acknowledging that candidates will already be either electricians or electrical engineers with completed knowledge and experience of electrical installations, wiring regulations and inspection and testing.
The new 2921 EV charging course will cover the following topics:
- Statutory and non-statutory documents for selection, installation and commissioning of EVC equipment.
- Traffic Management Orders situation identification
- Suitability of different modes of charging equipment and connections
- Design an installation, including assessment of location, and methods for selecting suitable cable
- System earthing and supply arrangements
- Risks associated with installations, including PEN/CNE conductor faults, electric shock
- Requirements for inspection, testing, commissioning and handover of EVC equipment and circuits
- Electrical energy storage systems
4. Changes to examinations and assessments
Learners will still need to complete an online multiple-choice exam, however the practical assessment will be replaced with an assignment made up of short answer and scenario based questions which will be designed to test the practical requirements instead.
City & Guilds have outlined that the content of these has been amended to better reflect issues which specifically effect electric vehicle charging rather than to test "general understanding of electrical principles and regulations." Again, this has been implemented to deter those with less experience from enrolling onto a course, whilst also ensuring newly qualified EV charge point installers meet a certain level of competence to work within the industry.
What is happening with the C&G 2919 qualification?
People can still register for the City & Guilds 2919-01 qualification until 31st August, after which point this will no longer be available.
C&G 2919 will still remain valid after this date, which means those who currently hold it will not necessarily need the new qualification in order to find work within the sector and apply for grant funding through schemes run by OZEV. In the long term however, we could well see the gradual phase out of the 2919 as an accepted qualification to register as an EV charge point installer.
Will Universal Skills offer this new course?
As Universal Skills are an accredited training provider of City & Guilds 2919-01, we are automatically approved to deliver the new C&G 2921 qualification from the 1st of September. We will look to up-skill our electrical tutors to ensure they are fully qualified to deliver the course in line with the new training and assessment requirements.
As the Total Qualification Time and Guided Learning Hours remain roughly the same between the old and new qualification, we don't envision a change in the 2-day duration the Universal Skills currently offer for the EV charging course.
We will seek to consult with City & Guilds over the next few months to ensure that the new EV installer course is designed to fully meet the expectations of trainees whilst adhering to the new standards.
For more information around the EV charging qualification please feel free to contact us on 0333 323 2723 or visit our EV course page:
https://universalskillsgroup.co.uk/collections/ev-charging-course
Additionally you can find out more about the C&G 2921 Electric Vehicle Charging Installations qualification through the below link:
https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/building-services-industry/electrical-installation/2921-electric-vehicle-charging-installations#tab=information
