Whats a JIB firm? Ive heard of sites, usually major contractor group and large new build housing developers etc who request jib cards.

Firms take on electricians, if thats what they want. And the recognised status for an electrician is qualfication to level 3 in both the C&G and the NVQ. The technical and the practical.

I dont think its a case of deciding not to do it if becoming an electrician is your goal. Its a requirement to become a "competent person". Ive seen people do the C&G course whilst holding down jobs in offices behind desks or other trades. Without the NVQ how can these people pass as an electrician. They could pass 3 years C&G with distinctions all the way and be experts on inductive reactance and three phase motor theory but have never so much as lifted a screwdriver in their life apart from the minimal practical experience you get during the C&G course.

I admit the NVQ is a pain. Alot of paper work and time consuming site visits and portfolio building. Its not even something that anyone can fail. It just takes as long as it takes. ?However its needed to establish whether someone is hands on competent as well as knowledge based.