Diploma in Electrotechnology

The qualification to become an electrician is undergoing a revamp for September 2010 to come into line with the new QCF suite of qualifications. Out going are the current technical certificate (C&G 2330) and the NVQ Level 3 (C&G 2356) to create a combined qualification called the C&G 2357 NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnology. The qualification will be studied at level 3, there is currently no replacement for the 2330 Level 2 or any electrical qualification planned at this level.

What is the QCF?

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a new framework which has been designed to make vocational qualifications easier to follow and simpler in their application to qualifications. Under "Rules of Combination", a series of individual units are combined to create a qualification. The amount of units studied determines the level of the qualification. They are:

Award - 1-12 Credit qualifications
Certificate - 13-36 Credit qualifications
Diploma - 37+ Credit qualifications

Each unit should take 10 hours to complete which includes notional learning time (time taken to complete by the student) and guided learning hours (time spent being taught within a formal environment).

The generality is that units can be plucked from several sources and merged to create a recognised qualification. It stands to reason that whatever the discipline, electrical principles is a useful part of many different trades so why have several similar units written when one will suffice?

How many hours will I study?

At college or a training provider, there are 646 guided learning hours to complete the knowledge units. There are a further 74 hours for the performance units although these will be completed on site.