According to the two organisations, there is a rising concern that people are being encouraged to think they can gain the know-how, practical abilities and occupational proficiency required of a qualified electrician following a few weeks of classroom-based training.

They have now called on anyone thinking about a career in the electrotechnical sector - such as adults looking to retrain - to make sure they pursue an industry-approved route which employs structured learning with the necessary supervised experience in the workplace.

Sharon Miller, managing director of SELECT, said: “There is already a robust training programme in Scotland that raises electrical professionals to the high standard required of the modern contractor. 

“This is proven to be the ONLY way to equip electricians with the skills required and give consumers confidence that work is being carried out safely and competently.

“This also applies to retraining, with an adult training scheme that offers on-site working to help develop skills in conjunction with the classroom aspect.”

Miller added: “A short course simply doesn’t cut it and endangers consumer safety.

“As we have outlined on a number of occasions, electrical installation is highly skilled, safety-critical work. 

“It simply isn’t possible to replicate in a matter of weeks the combination of technical knowledge, practical ability and workplace experience that is developed through a proper electrical installation apprenticeship.”

The two organisations work closely with the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT). 

The Modern Apprentice in Electrical Installation programme in Scotland is managed by the SECTT.

The programme, which takes roughly four years to complete, employs college-based learning with supervised workplace experience, which culminates in the Final Integrated Competence Assessment (FICA).

Catherine Gillon, secretary of the SJIB, said: “Qualifications are obviously an important part of becoming an electrician, but qualifications alone do not demonstrate occupational competence.

“Working alongside experienced electrical professionals on-site is an essential part of the learning process.

“It enables trainees to put their technical knowledge into practice, encounter different situations and installations and gradually develop the judgement, ability and experience expected of a qualified electrician.”

Gillon added: “That is why there can be no shortcut to competence. 

“Anyone who is being told that they can become an electrician simply by completing a handful of short courses in a classroom should think very carefully about what they are being promised.”

The two organisations have called on would-be electricians to reach out to SECTT and also visit The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP)-run Rogue Trainers campaign, which helps identify misleading training and fosters an understanding of the routes to qualification which are approved by the industry. 

Miller added: “The Rogue Trainers campaign is extremely important because people looking for a new career can understandably be attracted by promises that they can qualify quickly.”

Miller also added that becoming an electrician is about acquiring real occupational proficiency and having the ability to show that you are able to deliver intricate electrical work “correctly and, above all, safely”, rather than “collecting certificates.”

Miller commented: “The electrical installation apprenticeship remains the safe, recognised and proven route into our profession.”