A question for domestic installers who are with Stroma......

[HappyHippyDad]

I am a domestic installer. I have done the domestic installers course only, so do not have level 3. I have been with Stroma for perhaps 7 years and as most of you know Napit are taking over the competent person scheme. This year I was given the choice of either staying with Stroma for one last year or moving over to Napit now, I choose to stay with Stroma as they were still cheaper.

My question is, have any domestic installers moved over to Napit (or indeed any other scheme) since September 2020? The reason for that date is that new requirements for joining a scheme came in to date then and they now require you to have level 3. Did any one have any problems with the switch?

I have checked the new ELECTROTECHNICAL ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION FOR USE BY CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION BODIES (EAS) and on page 28 it does say the following:

"It is acceptable to permit new applications from an existing or previously recognised Qualified Supervisor, provided that they have been a Qualified Supervisor within two years of the application; and can provide a letter or similar evidence from the previous scheme provider confirming their Qualified Supervisor status and the scope of work previously assessed, which must be equal to the scope of work being applied for.
An applicant Qualified Supervisor will need to have at least 2 years’ evidence of responsibility for the technical standard of electrotechnical work and evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development."

Just wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge of this or simply any more information about it all? I can't imagine I will be refused next year, but it is a slight concern

Cheers all..

 

[richy3333]

As a DI I would assume the QS position doesn't exist under that scheme, but its just a guess from north of the border

 

[7029 dave]

I would speak to napit and get that confirmed Steve, don't wait.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

@happyhippydad , this doesn't completely answer your question, but may be useful info.

I'm on a FB group for people trained through a certain training centre, offering the usual DI type courses. Most people in the group seem to go for NICEIC as (anecdotally) they are the most relaxed on entrance requirements. Certainly, since september there have been newcomers successfully joining NICEIC for the 1st time with L2 qualifications, and, I believe, <1 year experience. Supposedly level 3 will become a requirement this year, for new entrants.

Anecdotally again, NAPIT have required L3 for some time now, possibly years, but I suspect that may be only for new entrants. If you look at the attached old EAS from 2015, as far as I can make out, it appears that level 3 has been a requirement (for new entrants) since back then anyway, so I'm not sure why schemes have been taking on new members with L2?

I read the current EAS as, if you're already a scheme member, then you're ok. If you're not, the new entry rules should apply.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I am a domestic installer. I have done the domestic installers course only, so do not have level 3. I have been with Stroma for perhaps 7 years and as most of you know Napit are taking over the competent person scheme. This year I was given the choice of either staying with Stroma for one last year or moving over to Napit now, I choose to stay with Stroma as they were still cheaper.

My question is, have any domestic installers moved over to Napit (or indeed any other scheme) since September 2020? The reason for that date is that new requirements for joining a scheme came in to date then and they now require you to have level 3. Did any one have any problems with the switch?

I have checked the new ELECTROTECHNICAL ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION FOR USE BY CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION BODIES (EAS) and on page 28 it does say the following:

"It is acceptable to permit new applications from an existing or previously recognised Qualified Supervisor, provided that they have been a Qualified Supervisor within two years of the application; and can provide a letter or similar evidence from the previous scheme provider confirming their Qualified Supervisor status and the scope of work previously assessed, which must be equal to the scope of work being applied for.
An applicant Qualified Supervisor will need to have at least 2 years’ evidence of responsibility for the technical standard of electrotechnical work and evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development."

Just wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge of this or simply any more information about it all? I can't imagine I will be refused next year, but it is a slight concern

Cheers all..

you will be fine as you have 2+ years as QS and auditable experience from current registration, even if you opted out of NAPIT and went to NICEIC you would walk on in

 

[Vortigern]

I was JIB graded about forty years ago. My boss got the card for me. I thought nothing of it and put it somewhere never to be seen again. Just did not realise the importance of it. Carried on wiring house shops offices and some factory work in London, Scotland and so on until the Part P thing which I again resisted for around fifteen years then finally caved in and joined Stroma. Went over to NAPIT last year and there was a snag with my qualifications I took a few years ago. 2397 QS course. However the guy/organisation sent me a level 3 cert and I did do a portfolio with it finally. Anyway after a bit of a kerfuffle they decided I could join anyway as I was with an existing scheme and accepted my TPC, EICR and commercial and domestic level from STROMA and afforded me the same competencies as I had already enjoyed. Strangely they did not want to see my commercial work as they were already satisfied with it. They insisted on visiting a crumby little domestic ring circuit I had done. All in all I would say the bar has been raised which is not a bad thing. Of course this only catches the conscientious among us and does nothing to address cowboys and ne'er do wells plying their con games on the gullible which is somewhat infuriating.

 

[Dave OCD]

I think it's a right cheek to be asking for evidence of 'continuous professional development' - this is something that employees of large companies generally have to demonstrate as part of an annual appraisal , seems you must always be ambitious to climb the ladder. But as a self-employed sole trader I'm quite satisfied with what I do and have perfectly adequate qualifications coupled with 35 years of post apprenticeship experience. Honestly these scams are a right load of b0ll0cks. ?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Cheers for the replies guys, I reckon I'll be fine. Not too worried about it, perhaps a tad, but looks like I'll be fine ?

 

[Mike Johnson]

All construction professionals (even sole traders) who belong to a professional body (ARIBA, MIStructE, RICS) to maintain their membership have to prove each year that they have kept up with new trends and legislation in the form of CPD, do you not think this is a good idea?

 

[Dave OCD]

Of course you need to keep up with current regulations and legislation but that's not necessarily CPD.