Training team unwraps perfect Christmas gift with EV charge point course

After months of fine-tuning, our new training course finally hits the road to keep Members in the driving seat when it comes to renewables

There’s no doubt that the demand for electric vehicle (EV) charge points is rising all the time and that installations are becoming part of the modern electrician’s world.

It’s also essential that such work is carried out safely and efficiently, which is why SELECT spent the first half of 2023 creating and shaping a new EV charge point installation course.

Developed in line with feedback from Members, the result is the SQA Customised Award in Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installations, a one-day module that can be delivered in person or online.

“There is a lot to learn in one day, but if you do the study beforehand, it’s definitely manageable”

As you’ll know from the previous edition of cabletalk, the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) has rated the session at Level 7 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), which reflects the amount of work that’s gone into developing it.

And that hard work paid off with a full house of 11 local Members as the first official one-day course was held at the Gailes Hotel in Irvine, Ayrshire, on Tuesday 7 November.

Delegates were provided with an introduction to the technology and an overview of its electrical requirements before getting hands-on with the units and being talked through the installation process.

The course was created by Training Development Adviser Stuart McKelvie and Consultant Technical Adviser Billy McRobert, who both delivered the first course, with Technical Adviser Robert McGoogan sitting in to experience the session as a delegate.

“The course was very interesting and I learned a great deal about charging modes and options, costs and installation and potential DNO issues”

Stuart said he was pleased with the roll-out, telling me: “The launch course went really well, with a great range of candidates who were clearly engaged and asked plenty of questions, with plenty of interaction throughout the day.

“Delegates seemed to enjoy the practical side of getting involved, using the equipment and familiarising themselves with how everything works. A few said they went away feeling more confident with the requirements of installing an EV charge point and said they enjoyed the fact that it was all completed in one day.”

Billy added: “This was a great start to our latest training offering. With EVs and charge points becoming more popular, this course will help Members add another string to their electrical bow and provide more business opportunities as they learn how to work with EV technology safely and efficiently.”

Among the feedback, Shaun Taylor from Member company South Ayrshire Council said: “The course was very interesting and I learned a great deal about charging modes and options, costs and installation and potential DNO issues.”

A fellow Member was also impressed by the first session, telling us: “It was a good comprehensive course.

“There is a lot to learn in one day, but if you do the study beforehand, it’s definitely manageable.”

From a personal point of view, it’s been a very satisfying launch. After a pilot course with Members at the SECTT Assessment Centre in Cambuslang on 21 August, we responded to feedback and made a few tweaks, so it was great to see it in its final form.

Thanks to the donation of two top-of-the range charge points by Luceco, the in-person sessions are also completely mobile and can be delivered anywhere, meaning Members don’t need to travel to the Central Belt to do it.

As cabletalk went to press, we were busy delivering more courses across Scotland and will be rolling out further sessions in the coming months.

We’d like to hear from Members who may be interested in the course, so have outlined the format and requirements below to help you see what’s involved.

Overview, aims and requirements

This one-day SQA-approved course aims to provide expert guidance to learners wishing to gain knowledge and understanding of EV charging equipment installations.

Suitable for qualified electricians only, the session focuses on the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (5th Edition).

By the end of the course, learners will understand and be able to design and install domestic, commercial and industrial electrical vehicle charging installations.

To do this, they will be helped to:

Understand the key requirements relating to EV charging equipment
Identify various modes and features of EV charging equipment
Gain the skills for designing and installing EV charging circuits
Gain knowledge for the requirements for inspection, testing, commissioning, maintenance and handover of EV charging equipment and circuits
Understand the use of vehicles as electrical energy storage systems (EESS) as part of prosumer’s installations.

The course is designed for qualified electricians with a current BS 7671 qualification and who are a minimum of 18 years old.

Delegates must also be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

Correctly install and terminate PVC/PVC cable, i.e. twin and earth
Correctly install steel wire armoured (SWA) cable
Carry out an initial verification, i.e. inspection and testing, on an electrical installation and complete the necessary paperwork.

“With EVs and charge points becoming more popular, this course will help Members add another string to their electrical bow and provide more business opportunities as they learn how to work with EV technology safely and efficiently”

Three workbook assessments need to be completed throughout the day, each of which takes around 20 minutes to complete:

Assessment 1– knowledge of the key principles in Parts 1-4 of the IET Code of Practice
Assessment 2 – knowledge of key principles contained in Parts 5 and 6
Assessment 3 – knowledge of key principles contained in Parts 8 to 12.

A multiple-choice questionnaire is also held at the end of the day, with an SQA certificate granted to those who pass the course.

What you’ll need to bring

Delegates who want to take the new EV course must have a copy of the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (5th Edition). They must also spend a minimum of eight hours pre-study time going through it prior to the course itself.

Delegates should also have a copy of ‘the brown book’, AKA Requirements for Electrical Installations (18th Edition Wiring Regulations) BS 7671:2018+A2:2022.

“Delegates seemed to enjoy the practical side of getting involved, using the equipment and familiarising themselves with how everything works”

If you don’t already have a copy of these publications, they can be purchased through the SELECT Shop. Alternatively, please call our Technical Admin Team on 0131 445 5577 or email orders@select.org.uk

Please note that if you don’t have the above publications available on the morning of the course, you won’t be able to attend as they are referred to throughout the session.

Costs and timings

The cost for SELECT Members is £230 + VAT (£276), which includes the assessments and SQA certificate on successful completion.

How to book

To reserve your place on the new course, or if you have any questions about other SELECT Training matters, please email training@select.org.uk or call the team on 0131 445 5577.

Special membership for EV contractors

SELECT operates a dedicated membership sub-category for contractors who install EV charging equipment.

The three sub-categories were introduced in June specifically for Members who undertake such work and want to be recognised for their competence:

EV charging equipment installations (domestic)
EV charging equipment installations (commercial)
EV charging equipment installations (large scale).

These categories are ONLY available for Members classified in work category 3.1: Low and Extra-low Voltage Electrical Installations up to 1kV.

Recognition will only be available to Members who satisfy our revised membership criteria and specific technical requirements must also be in place before classification and approval is given.

SELECT will also require a signed declaration by your principal representative (PR), together with evidence of your nominated competent person, i.e. Qualified Supervisor, having recent assessed training in both BS 7671 and EV charging equipment installation.

A guide to the new sub-categories is available from the Publications section of the SELECT website. If you require any further clarification or information, please contact our Technical Administrators on 0131 445 5577 or via email at technical@select.org.uk