17th Edition Training
ECA 17th Edition seminars
The ECA has announced a series of free seminars across the country to help
contractors and those responsible for contracting electrical work to understand and
prepare for the new 17th edition of the wiring regulations, which is due to come into
force in 2008.
The half-day seminars will provide an authoritative overview of the new regulations
and a chance to ask questions directly to ECA technical experts, many of whom have
helped develop the new regulations.
There are two types of seminar - one for electrical contractors, and one for people who
contract electrical work but who do not carry it out themselves. The contractor
seminars will look at the changes in design, specification, terminology and the effect
on inspection and testing requirements of the new 17th edition and will provide a
detailed insight into how the changes will affect the work contractors carry out.
The seminars for people contracting electrical work will provide an overview of the
changes to the wiring regulations and will also cover related health and safety,
sustainability, and fire and security issues.
ECA Director, David Pollock, says, "The ECA has been leading the way within the
electrical industry for over 100 years and continues to promote excellence and set the
standards. Our half-day seminars will provide people with an invaluable opportunity to
find out about the 17th Edition from the people who helped write it."
Seminar dates and venues can be found at www.eca.co.uk/17thedition, where
applicants can also register online. Alternatively, they should email
17thedition@eca.co.uk with details of their preferred venue. Demand for these free
sessions will be high so early registration is recommended to be certain of a place.
17th Edition Training Courses - expression of interest:
In addition to the above seminars, the Education and Training department is seeking
members' assistance to help them gauge demand for 17th Edition training courses.
The two main awarding bodies serving the industry, City & Guilds and EAL (EMTA
Awards Limited) will shortly both confirm the detail of their new qualifications. To begin
with, it is planned to offer City & Guilds courses to members. Once EAL enters the
market, members will be advised on the respective merits of all available products.
In an effort to provide ECA members with early access to 17th Edition qualifications,
Education and Training will open an early booking window for ECA members and the
department is currently asking members to express their interest in such qualifications.
For more information, and to register your interest, contact ECA Education and
Training on 020 7313 4800.
IET 17th Edition seminar in preparation for BS 7671 : 2008
BS 7671: 2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations
Seventeenth Edition) is scheduled to be issued in January 2008.
This IET seminar presents an early opportunity to gain an appreciation of many of the
significant changes that will take effect next year when the new Standard supersedes
the current 16th Edition, BS 7671: 2001.
Seminar topics:

Overview of BS 7671: 2008 Design principles.

Summary of new material inclusions.

Explanation of the many important technical changes.

Information about guidance documents, courses and City & Guilds
qualifications.
Delegates should be conversant with the structure, terminology and main technical
requirements of the 16th Edition. Required publications are: BS 7671: 2001
incorporating Amendments No1: 2002 and No2: 2004 (brown version); and Guidance
Note 1 and On-Site Guide are also recommended.
The remaining dates and venues are:

Birmingham - 08 Oct (Ref. WSK1BH).

Glasgow - 23 Oct (Ref. WSK2GL).

London - 30 Oct (Ref. WSK3LO).

Manchester - 14 Nov (Ref. WSM1MA).

Bristol - 27 Nov (Ref. WSM2BR).

London - 05 Dec (Ref. WSN1LO).
The fees are (for members): £211.50 including VAT, and for non-members:
£258.50 including VAT, but there is an early booking discount.
Go to www.theiet.org for more information.
IET training course - 17th Edition Preparation Seminar
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) will be holding a 17th Edition
preparation seminar on 13th September 2007 at its HQ in Savoy Place, London,
WC2R 0BL:
The IET's 17th Edition seminar topics will include the following:




Overview of BS 7671: 2008 Design principles.
Summary of new material inclusions.
Explanation of the many important technical changes.
Information about guidance documents, courses and City & Guilds qualifications.
Delegates should be conversant with the structure, terminology and main technical
requirements of the 16th Edition.
Required publications: BS 7671: 2001 incorporating Amendments No1: 2002 and No2:
2004 (brown version). Guidance Note 1 and On-Site Guide are also recommended.
Go to www.theiet.org/careers/courses/electrical/wiring/17prep.cfm for more
information, or call +44 (0) 1438 767289, or email: coursesreg@theiet.org.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL
Tel: +44 (0)20 7240 1871
Fax: +44 (0)20 7240 7735
Web: www.theiet.org
ECA to throw light on the 17th Edition
The 17th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations will come into force in 2008. If you don't
know about them, ‘you need to, and fast’. This is what the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors (RICS - www.rics.org) says. RICS is one of the most respected
and high profile global 'standards and membership' organisations for professionals
involved in land, property, construction and environmental issues.
RICS points out that the ECA is organising free half-day 17th Edition seminars. For
authoritative information on the 17th Edition, book yourself onto one of these seminars.
The next one will be held on 10 October 2007 in Nottingham. Email
17thedition@eca.co.uk.
NICEIC first stop for 17th Edition
With the new 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations being due in January 2008
and from October 2007, the NICEIC Group will provide a 'one-stop-shop' for
contractors' 17th Edition needs:
The NICEIC Group has been working closely with the awarding bodies City & Guilds
and EAL to ensure that proposed changes to their current qualifications are fit-forpurpose and are widely available.
New training courses are currently being developed by the NICEIC and its partners,
along with useful products to make contractors' lives easier. These will include
dedicated 17th Edition publications, DVDs and special discount offers for NICEIC
registered installers.
The NICEIC has also been delivering a series of informative seminars on the 17th
Edition and how it affects installers. These events were available around the UK in
many venues, and there may be more available.
The Group anticipates that its 17th Edition offerings will be in high demand, but
NICEIC is committed to providing the very best services at the right price.
The NICEIC will be sending out regular news updates and features to keep installers
aware of the latest developments and products that are right for them. There will also
be a dedicated section on its new website (www.niceicgroup.com) to keep installers
up to date with any events or seminars.
NICEIC Group
Warwick House, Houghton Hall Park
Houghton Regis, Dunstable,
Bedfordshire LU5 5ZX
Tel: 01582 531000
Fax: 01582 531010
Email: enquiries@niceic.org.uk
Web: www.niceicgroup.com
Wired for skills: EAL prepares to launch new 17th Edition
qualifications
With the pending launch of the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (BS7671), EAL is
applying the finishing touches to a brand new suite of Vocationally Related
Qualifications (VRQs). Catering both for new entrants and existing electricians, the
qualifications will help to ensure the industry is ready when the new standards come
into play on 1st July 2008. From then on all commercial, domestic and industrial wiring
installations must be designed to the specification laid out in BS7671:2008.
The finished package will add four new qualifications to the range of products
developed by EAL for the building services sector. The 17th Edition Update VRQ will
deal with changes to the existing set of standards while the 17th Edition Full VRQ
provides the necessary training for those returning to the trade and covers every
aspect of the new regulations in full.
For new entrants and those undertaking an apprenticeship, the Electrotechnical
Services Level 3 VRQ is a complete VRQ that also takes the 17th Edition into account
and meets the Joint Industry Board's requirements for Electrician Grading. Finally, the
Testing & Inspection VRQ provides qualified electricians with a route to achieving the
extra requirements of the Advanced Electrician Grading.
The content has been developed through close consultation with SummitSkills, the
Sector Skills Council, along with key organisations such as the ECA and NICEIC. The
Joint Industry Board has been kept fully informed throughout the development process
and is expected to recognise the new qualifications as soon as they are officially
accredited by QCA. Sample materials will be available from September/October and
EAL will be welcoming new centre approvals as early as October 2007.
And according to NG Bailey, one of the UK's leading providers of building services,
mechanical, electrical and engineering solutions, planning ahead is an important part
of the new process. Mark Jones, craft apprenticeship training manager, said: "The
changes in the wiring regulations will mean a big influx of people whose skills need
updating. So that things run as smoothly as possible it is imperative that training
providers, colleges and those working in the industry equip themselves with the right
knowledge up front. I know from NG Bailey's previous work with EAL that their
vocational qualifications are of a very high standard, yet the simple documentation
means that they are easily understood by the candidates."
In preparation for the launch, a series of nationwide launch events are taking place in
late September and early October. Free to all who attend, they will provide an
opportunity to meet EAL representatives and speak directly to those involved in
developing the new qualifications. With advice readily available on becoming an EALapproved centre, presentations will also explain all about the 17th Edition
qualifications as well as EAL's other products and services.
The one-day events will take place on 25th, 26th and 27th September and 2nd and
4th October in York, Liverpool, Birmingham, Kent and Bristol respectively. Any
colleges, training providers or organisations interested in attending should refer to
EAL's website, www.eal.org.uk, or contact Andy Lane at alane@eal.org.uk for
additional information.
EAL has 76% of the market share for engineering NVQs at Levels 1-5, and the
organisation awards a range of qualifications in other occupational areas, including
administration, aviation, business improvement, distribution and warehousing, learning
and development, management, occupational health and safety and port operations.
EAS also awards Key Skills qualifications at Levels 1-3, and offers a range of
Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs) including
certificates and diplomas in engineering and technology, welding, electronics,
business improvement, domestic electrical installation and air cabin crewing.
EAL is part of the SEMTA group, the Sector Skills Council for science, engineering
and manufacturing technologies.
EAL
Web: www.olci.info/plumbing/holding_electrician.htm