The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) committee has fired the starting gun on perhaps the biggest competence shake-up since Part P. From October 2026 every Qualified Supervisor (QS) registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or any other Competent Person Scheme must hold formal, listed qualifications for four fast-growing technologies:
- Electric-vehicle charging equipment
- Solar-photovoltaic systems
- Electrical-energy storage systems (battery packs)
- Micro-wind turbines
Voluntary “early adoption” lets scheme operators impose the rule sooner, meaning the safe window to upskill may be barely 18 months. If you still rely on the old “grandfather rights” route, now is the time to lock down your paperwork—before renewal day arrives and freezes your scope. Elec Training Birmingham offers an integrated game plan that layers the compulsory tickets directly onto its accelerated electrician course and City & Guilds nvq level 3 electrical programme so you stay compliant without pausing your income.
1 | Why the EAS Committee Is Getting Tough
- Claims data: Insurers reported an 18 % jump in battery-related fire losses during 2023.
- Consumer trust: Home-charging mishaps undermine confidence just as EV adoption is poised to explode.
- International alignment: The UK must shadow IEC and CENELEC standards to keep export options open.
The committee’s answer is simple: no listed qual, no scheme badge, no self-cert sign-off.
2 | How the New Rules Interlock with NVQ Level 3
The NVQ framework already requires “functional testing” and “commissioning” evidence. By choosing technology-specific modules—EV, PV, storage—at Elec Training you double-dip: the same photos and test sheets satisfy both the NVQ evidence grid and the new EAS listing. Result: one task, two boxes ticked, zero extra site visits.
| NVQ Unit | EAS Compliance Evidence |
| Functional Testing | 6 mA DC RCD test on a 7 kW charger |
| Commissioning | G99 paperwork uploaded for PV/battery hybrid |
| Maintain Safe Working Practices | Battery rack thermal-runaway risk assessment |
3 | The Elec Training Three-Step Compliance Plan
Step 1 – Gap Audit (Free)
- Download the EAS Qualifications Guide.
- Elec Training tutors walk you through a 30-minute video call, mapping your existing certs against 2026 requirements.
Step 2 – Pick a Modular Route
| Route | Duration | Ideal For |
| Bolt-On Course | 5–6 days per tech | Graded sparks who only need one extra ticket |
| Green-Skills Fast Track | 6-week blended block | Level 3 learners wanting all four quals together |
| Experienced-Worker Assessment | Portfolio + 1 assessor day | Veterans with >5 years field experience, no paper |
Skills-Bootcamp grants can cover up to 100 % of tuition on many green modules for eligible post-codes.
Step 3 – Evidence & Renewal
- Upload lab photos, test sheets and DNO forms in Elec Training’s cloud app.
- Centre assessors sign off NVQ units; scheme assessors accept the same pack as proof of MTC.
- Renew your scheme badge—stress-free.
4 | Timeline: From Zero to Fully Compliant Before the Deadline
| Month | Milestone |
| Aug 2024 | Complete free gap audit |
| Sep–Nov 2024 | Book bolt-on or fast-track cohort |
| Dec 2024–Mar 2025 | Finish theory (evenings) + Saturday labs |
| Apr–Oct 2025 | Log live installs: 4 chargers, 3 PV, 2 battery packs |
| Nov 2025 | Assessor visit #1: EV + PV witnessed |
| Jan 2026 | Assessor visit #2: Storage + final paperwork |
| Feb 2026 | NVQ Level 3 certificate arrives |
| Apr 2026 | Scheme renewal filed with new EAS-listed quals |
| Oct 2026 | Mandatory deadline passes—you’re already clear |
5 | Business Upside—Not Just Compliance
- Charge-point labour averages £280 for a 7 kW domestic install.
- PV + battery bundles sell for £1,200–£1,500 labour on suburban semis.
- Grid-storage day rates exceed £32/hour for Cat 4 battery PPE competence.
Spending two weekends in a lab can unlock thousands in extra revenue long before the rules kick in.
6 | Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a van full of new tools?
No. Centre loans testers until increased revenue justifies purchase.
Will Amendment 4 to BS 7671 force another exam?
Unlikely. A CPD webinar should suffice—Elec Training provides one free.
What if my portfolio spelling is poor?
Assessors grade safety and completeness, not semicolons.
Final Circuit
Regulation rarely rolls backwards. The 2026 EAS deadlines will lock—and scheme operators may enforce them early. The cheapest, least-painful route is to embed the new quals into your NVQ pathway now, while Skills-Bootcamp funding is still abundant and assessor diaries have slots. Book your gap audit, choose a modular track, and future-proof your trade before the clock runs out. Because when the DNO asks for your battery-storage cert, “I’ll get on a course next year” won’t keep the lights on.
