Any application for a full-time course submitted after 16 June will be treated as a late application.
What can this course lead to?
Successful Apprentices can continue within employment, gain promotion or progress onto higher education. Possible job roles could include: Electrician, Quality Supervisor and Business Owner.
You will complete the following qualifications:
Candidates will achieve the Level 3 Electrotechnical Qualification, (Installation) or (Maintenance).
By the end of the Apprenticeship the candidate will have satisfied the requirements for registration as Eng Tech by the Engineering Council.
Who is it for?
Please only apply for this Apprenticeship Course if you already have a suitable employer. If you haven’t already got an employer you can apply for Apprenticeship vacancies here https://www.peterborough.ac.uk/course-types/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-vacancies/.
Apprentice Electricians work with supervision to install, maintain and repair electrical systems in industrial, commercial and domestic environments. Electrical equipment and systems may include switchboards, motors, cables, fuses, thermal relays, fault current protection switches, heating, lighting, air conditioning and metering equipment as well as crime and fire alarm systems and renewable energy technologies.
• Installation Electricians work on the installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance of low voltage (less than 1000v) electrical and electronic devices and appliances.
• Maintenance Electricians work on the maintenance of electrical and electronic installations including automated production systems. Duties include the supervision of the equipment, its maintenance and necessary repairs.
You can apply for an Apprenticeship if you are living in England, over 16 and not in full-time education. You must be in paid employment for the duration of your Apprenticeship course, you cannot be self-employed or a volunteer. Employers must pay you the minimum Apprenticeship wage or more, for a minimum of 30 hours a week.
What is covered?
Knowledge and Skills:
• Apprentice electricians will use engineering knowledge and understanding to apply their technical and practical skills. They will contribute to the design, development, manufacture, construction, commissioning, operation or maintenance of products, equipment, processes, systems or services. Apprentices must:
• Understand and apply the principles, practices and legislation for the termination and connection of conductors, cables and cords in electrical systems.
• Understand and apply the practices and procedures for the preparation and installation of wiring systems and electrotechnical equipment in buildings, structures and the environment.
• Understand and apply the principles, practices and legislation for the inspection, testing, commissioning and certification of electrotechnical systems and equipment in buildings, structures and the environment.
• Understand and apply the principles, practices and legislation for diagnosing and correcting electrical faults in electrotechnical systems and equipment in buildings, structures and the environment.
• Understand and apply the electrical principles associated with the design, building, installation and maintenance of electrical equipment and systems.
• Oversee and organise the work environment.
• Understand and apply the principles of planning and selection for the installation of electrotechnical equipment and systems in buildings, structures and the environment.
• Understand and apply the practices and procedures for planning and preparing to maintain electrotechnical systems and equipment.
• Understand and apply health and safety and environmental regulations, guidance notes and relevant codes of practice; and the requirements of the current edition of the Wiring Regulations.
Behaviours:
Apprentice Electricians will be expected to:
• Work reliably and effectively without close supervision.
• Accept responsibility for the work of themselves and others.
• Accept allocate and supervise technical and other tasks.
• Use oral, written and electronic methods for the communication of technical and other information.
• Work effectively with colleagues, other trades, clients, suppliers and the public.
• Undertake work in a way that contributes to sustainable development.
• Maintain and enhance competence in your own area.
• Exercise responsibilities in an ethical manner.
Apprentices are expected to attend college 1 day a week as part of their 20% off-the-job training. Additional off-the-job training hours are expected to be completed within your workplace, however you may also be asked to complete tasks at home via Google Classroom and One-file.
Please note you may also be asked to complete Maths and English qualifications as part of your Apprenticeship programme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Individual employers will set selection criteria, but it is likely to include 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 and above including English and Maths and Science or a Technology subject; relevant Level 2 Electrical Installation qualification; other relevant qualifications and experience; or an aptitude test with a focus on electrical skills.
You will also require a suitable supportive employer who will guide you through your Apprenticeship. If you do not have an employer already you can apply for Apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on our website – https://www.peterborough.ac.uk/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-vacancies/
We strongly advise you to complete a minimum of 2 weeks work experience with your employer prior to the start of your Apprenticeship to ensure it is a suitable organisation for your needs.
As well as being assessed continually throughout your Apprenticeship course, all Apprentices are required to complete an End-point Assessment in order to complete their qualification.
The EPA is conducted independently to your employer and Peterborough Regional College and is designed to test whether you have gained the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the Installation Electrician Apprenticeship Standard. You will be graded according to your individual performance.
Throughout the duration of your Apprenticeship you will complete a number of assessments, only when these have been completed can your assessor and employer agree to put your forward for the ‘Gateway’. This gateway allows you to focus on and prepare for your EPA in order to complete your Apprenticeship. During this time your employer will be expected to support you to prepare for your EPA through regular training and guidance.
The AM2 qualification forms the End-point assessment for this standard. The AM2 test is a synoptic practical/knowledge assessment. This single common assessment is externally set and market by an independent body within an independent assessment structure. For the last 30 years, the AM2 has been recognised within the electotechnical industry as the benchmark for an individual’s occupational competence.
The AM2 is a robust, timed (16.5 hours typically over 2 and half days) practical and theory assessment in sections. The test requires you to perform a set of common tasks and procedures that a full scope electrical operative might face when working in commercial or industrial premises. It assesses you on installation, inspection and testing and fault finding work; your work must comply with BS76, be in line with relevant health and safety legislation and confirm to current industry practices and procedures.
Throughout the Apprenticeship it is your responsibility with the help from your employer, assessor and college tutors to ensure you are ready for your final independent EPA.
More information about your EPA will be given to you by your Assessor at the Apprenticeship Sign Up.
Learners may need to purchase uniform and/or equipment depending on the employer.
Apprentices are also required to apply for a Trainee CSCS card which may involve an additional cost. There is no requirement for the employer to support you with this cost, you would need to discuss this with your employer directly.
An electrical Apprentice could expect to work unsociable hours, weekends and even be on 24 hour call out service. Working conditions may sometimes be confined and you may have to work outside in all weathers. Some work may be at height, outside buildings or on rooftops. An Apprentice will work on average 30 hours a week, this may vary throughout the year dependent on seasonal trends and workloads. Newly qualified electricians may earn a starting salary of between £16,500 and £21,000. An experienced electrician may earn from £21,000 to £35,000. If you are colour blind you will be unsuitable for this role.
An employed status Apprentice you will:
• Earn a wage – the national minimum wage for Apprentices is £6.40 an hour from April 2024, although many Apprentices earn more than this. Please note you must be a paid employee of the business, you cannot be self employed or a volunteer.
• Have a contract of employment – this must be given to you at the start of your employment.
• Get paid holidays – these will be detailed in your contract of employment.
• Receive training – it is crucial to the success of your Apprenticeship that your employer supports you with regular training. The Apprenticeship standard states you must complete a minimum of 20% off-the-job training which can also include training at Peterborough Regional College and training on site. You will also be expected to build a portfolio and complete tasks on One-file and Google Classrooms.
Start date: 15/09/2025
SAP3EL5AW$
48 months
Full-time courses are fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds. For age 19+, various funding options are available.
Part of the Inspire Education Group © 2025 All rights reserved.