EAS requirements are changing – is the electrical sector ready for them?

Organisations registered with a scheme provider may soon need to demonstrate individual Level 3 competency on some of the works they are already undertaking – which is why CEF is now offering accessible training to support electricians following the 1 October implementation date.

Changes to the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) requirements changed this autumn, but is everyone affected aware of what they are?

From October 2026, individuals working for companies registered with scheme providers, such as NICEIC, NAPIT, ECA and SELECT, are required to demonstrate formal individual Level 3 qualifications in Solar PV, Electrical Energy Storage, Electric Vehicle Charging, Micro Wind and Periodic Inspection and Testing. This represents a shift from relying solely on the Qualified Supervisor model, towards a more formal recognition of individual competency.

Whilst this is seen as sensible, the challenge lies in achieving the required certification quickly, particularly while awareness of the full scope of the changes has been inconsistent across the market.

Some businesses took early steps to prepare, but others are only now finding out about it, often through conversations on site, at events or at their wholesaler’s counter. As a result, there is a growing sense that many electricians are being asked to respond to something that hasn’t been widely or consistently communicated.

For organisations already working in a high-demand environment and booked weeks or months in advance, taking time out for training isn’t always easy. It means lost earnings, disrupted schedules and, in many cases, additional costs for travel and accommodation. For larger businesses, the challenge is multiplied across teams, balancing operational demand with the need to upskill their workforce.

For sole traders, it can be even more difficult. For most, this isn’t about learning something new, it’s about proving what they already know, and the challenge is finding the time and resource to certify that capability. This is where the gap between what the industry is asking for and what is realistically achievable without support begins to widen.

The solution: local training with practical learning 

Finding training that fits around day-to-day work commitments is one of the biggest challenges for electricians, even those who were aware of the deadline. Travelling long distances to training centres is costly and impractical, while online learning alone is insufficient for hands‑on disciplines such as solar PV.

That’s exactly why CEF launched its TechTraining programme, providing access to City & Guilds approved Level 3 qualifications across the UK. The qualifications include Wiring Regulations, Inspection and Testing, Solar PV Installations, Electrical Energy Storage and Electric Vehicle Charge Points.

Training delivered in this way reduces the need for long‑distance travel. For theory‑based courses such as Wiring Regulations and EV Charging, online options allow electricians to learn and sit exams remotely, fitting training around existing workloads.

For practical disciplines, the emphasis is firmly on hands‑on delivery. CEF’s mobile renewables workshop, complete with roof rig, inverters and batteries travels nationwide to provide a fully equipped on‑site training environment. Candidates design, install and commission systems as part of the course, addressing a longstanding frustration with theory‑only approaches.

The goal is making relevant training easier to access and help as many electricians as possible access the training they may need. 

Flexible and accessible training

Darren Staniforth, Head of Technical Solution’s at CEF, commented:

“We know it’s not easy for electricians to take time out for training, especially when they’re already busy. What we’ve focused on is making that process more convenient by making training more local, keeping it practical where it needs to be, and giving people flexibility where we can. If we can make it easier for someone to access the training they need, that’s what matters.”

The growth in demand for training is not limited to changes in the EAS requirements alone. Over the past five years, CPD and formal qualifications have become even more necessary, driven by new technologies, updated regulations and increasing expectations around standards and safety.

Through its wider CPD programme, including CEF Live and TechTalks, the business has delivered over 1,100 CPD-accredited sessions in the past year.

With further regulatory updates happening, regular training is becoming an ever-present requirement. Handled well, in the long term it can only be positive for the sector; offering an opportunity to upskill and stay ahead of new technologies and requirements.

For now, the priority is more straightforward, and more immediate. With the gap between the EAS deadline and awareness still being considerable, electricians need training solutions that fit around their schedules, workload and location. CEF’s role is to provide practical help to remove barriers and provide a clear route to assessment and qualification, without adding unnecessary disruption.

To stay up to speed on the latest regulations and flexible and accessible training solutions, explore the full range of courses available at CEF TechTraining.

cef.co.uk