How to Become an Electrician: The Adult-Learner Route (Fast-Track)

In this section, we’ll explore what we call the adult learner or fast-track pathway—a clear, structured route for those with no prior electrical qualifications to become fully competent electricians.

Many learners find it difficult to choose the right electrician course. But it’s not just students who are confused—there’s often disagreement within the industry itself about what constitutes a fully qualified electrician.

At Elec Training, we define a fully qualified electrician as someone who is authorised to carry out and certify both domestic and industrial installations independently.

If you’re wondering how to become an electrician without going down the traditional apprenticeship route, this fast-track adult learner path might be the ideal solution. While some adverts claim you can become qualified in six weeks, the route most widely recognised by employers—and backed by job board data from platforms like Reed and Monster—includes the following steps:

The Recommended Qualification Path

City & Guilds 2365-02 (Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations)
City & Guilds 2365-03 (Level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical Technology)
18th Edition Wiring Regulations (C&G 2382-18)
City & Guilds 2357 NVQ Level 3 (Work-based Competence Qualification)
AM2 Assessment (Final Practical Competence Test)
Apply for ECS JIB Gold Card (Competency Recognition Scheme)
City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection & Testing Certificate)

Completing these steps qualifies you to install, test, and sign off work in both domestic and industrial settings—the level of competence most employers demand, and the standard Elec Training’s industry partners expect when we place students into work placements.

Who Is This Route For?

Career-changers aged 19+
Individuals who need to work while training
Parents returning to the workforce
Ex-forces engineers

Target Outcome

To become a fully qualified electrician capable of:

Wiring domestic and commercial installations
Testing and certifying your own work
Being listed as a Qualified Supervisor on a Competent Person Scheme

Step-by-Step: How Most Centres Deliver This Route

Stage	Award	Study Mode	Why It Matters
1	City & Guilds 2365-02 (Level 2)	4-week block	Foundation in electrical science, wiring systems, and safe working practices
2	City & Guilds 2365-03 (Level 3)	8 weeks	Covers design, inspection, and environmental technology
3	18th Edition (C&G 2382-18)	5 days	Required knowledge for BS 7671 compliance
4	NVQ Level 3 (C&G 2357)	Portfolio + site assessments	Demonstrates your competence under real working conditions
5	AM2 or AM2E	3-day practical exam	Final proof of practical and technical ability

Steps 6 & 7 – Optional, But Highly Recommended

ECS JIB Gold Card – Some employers don’t insist on this, but without it, you can’t certify your own work or operate independently. You’d always need a supervising company—something some older firms use to maintain control.
C&G 2391 (Inspection & Testing) – Often sold as a combo with the 18th Edition. However, without your Level 2 (2365-02), it doesn’t make you fully qualified. Think of it like trying to enter university without having completed your GCSEs. It’s essential, but only in the right sequence.

As my father always said: Do it right, and do it right the first time.

What Makes Elec Training Different?

At Elec Training, we offer a Fast-Track NVQ Level 3 Route with guaranteed work placements to support your portfolio. Many students get stuck at this stage simply because they can’t find an employer to give them the hands-on experience they need.

We hear it all the time:

“I completed Level 2 at college, then spent two years doing Level 3, but now I can’t find work.”
“I did a fast-track course somewhere else, but no one will hire me.”
“They promised career support—turns out it was just a job board!”

We took that seriously. That’s why we hired real recruitment professionals (we used to call them “career advisors”)—now they’re full-time Recruitment Managers. Their job? Finding you real, hands-on work experience. And they’re very, very good at it.

Here’s how it works:

You complete your Level 2 + 18th Edition
We place you into work to gain practical experience
You then progress to Level 3, and we help you move into a better role to build your NVQ portfolio
18 months to 3 years later—you’re fully qualified

Other Electrician Routes You Can Take

Following this, we’ll explore other paths, including:

C&G 5357-03 – Installation & Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship
C&G 5393 – Domestic Electrician Apprenticeship Standard
C&G 8710 (England only) – T-Level in Building Services Engineering (Ages 16–19)
Domestic Installer Route – 2365-02 + 18th Edition + 2391
C&G 2347 – Domestic Experienced Worker Route (3+ years experience, no formal quals)
C&G 2346 – Electrotechnical Experienced Worker (5+ years experience, no formal quals)

Want help deciding which route is best for you? Get in touch with the team at Elec Training—your career starts here. You can also read our News article to learn more about becoming an electrician through different paths.