Collage showing an apprentice tests a fuse box and another at a work bench solders electrical components. Apprenticeships logo

Electrician (Installation/ Maintenance) Apprenticeship

Qualification: Advanced
Level 3

There are start dates for this apprenticeship throughout the year. Please apply and our apprenticeship team will be in contact with you to discuss.

Apply now

About this apprenticeship

Click to expand

The Electrician apprenticeship consists of two pathways, Installation Electrician or Maintenance Electrician, and is for those looking for a rewarding career as an Electrician. 

Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical systems in industrial, commercial and domestic environments, working in both indoor and outdoor settings.  They may also contribute to the design of electrical systems.

This level 3 advanced apprenticeship will provide you with a set of specialist skills, knowledge and behaviours which are necessary to work competently as an electrician in domestic, commercial and industrial environments. Depending on your employer, work may range from fitting a bathroom shower circuit in a customer’s home to laying equipment cabling in new office developments. 

View our apprenticeship vacancies

As an apprentice Electrician, you will acquire and develop the appropriate skills, knowledge and behaviours required for an electrician role. This will include how to:

  • Connect and terminate conductors, cables and cords in electrical systems
  • Prepare and install wiring systems and electrotechnical equipment
  • Inspect, test, commission and certify electrotechnical systems and  equipment
  • Diagnose and correct electrical faults in electrotechnical systems and equipment
  • Design, build, install and maintain electrical equipment and systems
  • Installation pathway – Plan and select installation of electrotechnical equipment and systems
  • Maintenance pathway – Plan and prepare maintenance of electrotechnical systems and equipment

You will be expected to work independently and take responsibility for the outcomes of your work, with support from your employer and City College as the training provider.

More detailed information can be found on the apprenticeship standard website (new window).

Once you have successfully completed this apprenticeship you will achieve a Level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical (Installation or Maintenance) qualification.

As an apprentice, you can expect to undertake work-based learning with an employer and be paid a wage.

You will attend college on a block release basis to ensure you get the support you need to succeed.  The rest of the training will take place in the workplace with in-house training provided by the employer.  You will be assigned an assessor who will help guide you through the entire apprenticeship.

City College’s construction workshops provide a fantastic learning environment with industry-standard equipment, where you can learn everything you need for you to begin your Electrical Installation/Maintenance Career. 

We also have industry experts tutors, who will be on hand to teach and guide you through and answer any questions you may have.

Candidates will typically have 5 GCSEs at grades 4/C or above (or equivalent) including English and maths.  Evidence of this will need to be provided prior to starting your apprenticeship. Under exceptional circumstances, candidates who haven’t quite achieved these grades in English and/or Maths may be considered after an assessment, interview and agreement to achieve this level prior to taking their End Point Assessment (EPA).

To start an apprenticeship you will need an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice.  If you already have an employer please contact us. If you don't have an employer already, view our current apprenticeship vacancies

You will be required to attend a College interview prior to enrolling onto an apprenticeship.

You must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

  • Fees:
  • Course Length: 42 months
  • Campus: Main campus

Successful completion of this apprenticeship could help you progress into a range of electrical installation and maintenance roles. By the end of the apprenticeship you will have satisfied the requirements for registration as Eng Tech by the Engineering Council.

Possible careers

  • Domestic Electrician
  • Commercial Electrician
  • Industrial Electrician
  • Maintenance Electrician
  • Electrical Contractor
  • Electrical Design Engineer 

Information for Employers

Off-the-job training

Each apprenticeship must include 20% off-the-job training, which amounts to 20% of the apprentice’s contracted employment hours across the whole apprenticeship.  Off-the-job training is any learning undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship.  Examples of this would be shadowing colleagues, attending supplier meetings, taking external courses, Toolbox talks etc.

End Point Assessment

Each apprentice will need to undertake an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship, which is called AM2S.  It measures the skills, knowledge and behaviours each apprentice has developed.  

An apprentice can only take this assessment once all other aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed.  An apprentice needs to be completely ready to take this assessment and the employer and assessor will decide when the time is right.  A declaration will be signed by both the employer, apprentice and assessor.  If the apprentice fails the assessment, then there will be a re-sit charge, which is generally paid by the employer.

The EPA consists of:

1) Synoptic practical - a timed assessment and takes around 16.5 hours, typically taken over 2.5 days.

2) Knowledge assessment - consists of multiple choice questions.