SkillELECTRIC has been designed to reflect the role of an Electrical Technician and the standards

that are expected within the electrical industry. Each year the best electrical apprentices and newly qualified electricians from across the UK take part in SkillELECTRIC regional heats to win a place in the competition’s grand UK Final.

SkillELECTRIC is the only route to the next WorldSkills International competition taking place in Lyon, France. Those who are age-eligible and meet the standard will be considered for a place in Squad UK following the 2021 UK Final.

To register for SkillELECTRIC please visit the WorldSkills website.  If you need any further help or assistance please contact WorldSkills UK who manage the registration process:

T: 0800 612 0742
E: getintouch@worldskillsuk.org

More information on what you’ll need to enter SkillELECTRIC

The competition cycle consists of 5 stages:

1. Pre-Competition
   Use the Pre-Competition Guide to help you identify your most suitable candidate(s) to enter for SkillELECTRIC. Within the guide you’ll find:
   1. The Talent Spotting Checklist which defines the ideal personal attributes and other characteristics a competitor should have
   2. The Core Competencies that competitors are expected to meet at each stage of the SkillELECTRIC competition journey, starting from the Regional Qualifiers through to world-class international standards
   3. The Pre-Competition Task can be used as an in-house competition from which you can identify your most suitable candidates to register for the SkillELECTRIC competition.
2. Passive An online theory test to take place at some point after the competition registration period has ended, date TBC.
3. Regional Qualifier
   If it is safe, we will deliver live competitions across the UK. The dates and venues will be confirmed in 2021.

If it is not possible to deliver and attend competitions safely we will look at alternative ways of running this stage.

4. Semi-Final and Pre-UK Final Training
   If we are unable to safely deliver a live Regional Qualifier, we will hold a semi-final for the top 16 top-scoring competitors. This is so that we can meet the competitors and test their technical hand skills.

Along with other technical training, we will also introduce the concept of KNX programming so that those who are eligible for the international competition are aware that it will feature in their future training.

Additionally, to prepare the semi-finalists as best as we can for the live UK Final, which takes place in November at the Birmingham NEC, they will receive:

1. Mindset development
   In previous cycles, this has been successfully piloted and uses methods adapted from supporting and developing the individuals who compete internationally to remain focused on achieving success
2. Technical training
   In 2021 we plan to also deliver technical training to the finalists covering weak areas of performance where previous competitors have lost marks, common mistakes and how to avoid them and any other relevant training required for the UK Final test piece.

Those who do not meet the set technical standard at the semi-final they will not progress onto the UK Final.

5. UK Final
   WorldSkills UK quality assures the results and finalists will be notified by late summer to confirm their participation in the UK National Final at the NEC in November 2021 as part of WorldSkills UK Live.

This is a 2.5-day competition where accommodation will be provided by NET.

As the Competition Organising Partner, NET is responsible for you having a safe and enjoyable competition experience.  For the duration of the competition, competitors will be observed against the expected standards, practices and behaviours as set out in the SkillELECTRIC competition rules, code of conduct and WorldSkills UK competition rules. We expect all competitors to use this as a guide for how to best behave during the competition at all times.

Please remember there may be a number of industry representatives attending your competition and it would be in your best interest to positively represent yourself and your organisation at all times. For competitors who choose to behave outside of the guidance provided, NET cannot be accountable for your actions and this may result in disqualification of your place in the competition.

Once the competition rules have been finalised we will share these with you.

The SkillELECTRIC Regional Qualifier competition is a one-day event where competitors will have 4 hours to complete the task.

On the day of the competition, a clear brief will be provided to you along with the technical drawing which will include the measurements. Past examples of technical drawings and task information can be found here

Tasks are designed to test a competitor’s ability to:

• Work to the specification and dimensions as detailed on the wiring plan with a tolerance of +/- 2mm
• Install the competition piece safely to industry recognised standards
• Complete the competition piece with the materials provided
• Determine all necessary wiring methods for the correct installation and operation of equipment as described in the specification
• Carry out a fault-finding test on a purpose-built rig and completing the report
• Comply with all health and safety legislation and requirements of the competition
• Wear eye protection when cutting and using a battery drill (this applies to using the drill for fixings)
• Wear eye protection and gloves when stripping SWA cable

Carry out basic electrical tests to the standard as per the specification to demonstrate to the judges that the installation is safe to energise. Only judges or appointed persons are authorised to energise an installation and their decision is final.

Competitors are asked to bring and use their own tools, equipment and consumable items as per the tool list below. Please be prepared and double-check your toolbox as the competition venue may not be able to provide any spare tools or consumable items.

There are restrictions which may not be included as follows; ‘Stanley’ type craft knives, an electrician’s knife is recommended and no 230v/110v power tools. Battery operated screwdrivers and chargers are allowed.

Please note that any live connection and test only carried out by the judging team only and no mains-powered tools or Stanley knives will be allowed on site.

At all times we expect competitors:

• To work safely always and take appropriate precautions when working with any tools that have a potential safety hazard
• To wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Not carry out any live working
• Not to use power tools except a battery-operated drill (preferably not impact)
• To comply with additional competition rules for safety

SkillELECTRIC is judged by industry professionals who will observe work practices throughout the duration of the competition.  The judges are briefed on assessment procedures prior to the competition and the results are quality assured before results are announced.

The marking scheme objectively assesses a competitor’s test piece, however, judges will also take into account soft skills such as planning, working under pressure and time management.

The following table is an example of criteria from which competitors work will be marked. The range of marks will vary depending on the task that is set:

The following standards will be used to assess the competition:

• All measurements must be within +/-2mm tolerance and taken from the datum line
• All bends and sets to be formed evenly, uniformly and without distortion
• All conductors should be securely terminated with no bare conductor showing when viewed at 90 degrees, no insulation trapped in connection no reduction in the c.s.a of the conductor and insulation undamaged
• All circuits should function as per the design specification
• There should be no more than 1mm gap on any encasement

All encasement, accessories and components should be vertical and horizontal and installed as per drawing provided which is not to scale.

The next WorldSkills International competition is taking place in Lyon, France 2023.  Those who are age-eligible and meet the standard will be considered for a place in Squad UK following the 2021 UK Final.

After the UK Final 2021, competitors over the next eighteen months are trained to develop world-class technical skills, high-performance attributes and a winning mindset to prepare them for success in 2023 and represent the UK.

Further information can be found on the WorldSkills UK website

If you want to become a qualified electrician, an apprenticeship is the training route preferred by the industry.

If you can’t find an apprenticeship vacancy there are other training routes you may be able to follow. However, it’s just not possible to become a qualified electrician until you are working in the industry to gain on-site practical experience.

You also need to be wary of training courses that claim to qualify you as an electrician within a few weeks or months. If you’re completely new to the industry this is simply not possible! Take look at the routes where you can read the full details and download the training journey.

Using the latest technology, lighting up festivals and stadiums, making machines and buildings come alive.

With a career in electrical engineering, design or installation there’s a whole world of opportunities right on your doorstep:

• Bring power to offices, retail parks and stadiums
• Programme and install smart buildings and controls
• Keep the country online with telecommunications systems
• Be at the forefront of energy monitoring and efficiency
• …and more!

Without electrical engineers, technicians, designers or electricians our lives would be a very different place – imagine no electricity, internet or mobile phone networks!

It all starts with an electrotechnical apprenticeship – once you’ve qualified, you can then develop your skills in whatever route you choose. And the sky’s the limit in terms of career progression and where it could take you.

Once you’ve completed an electrical apprenticeship there’s a wide range of routes you can follow – you may wish to stay in a site-based role or look at something such as design or project management. The options are varied depending on your skills, strengths and what sort of career path you’d like to take.

Explore further to find out more about the different specialisms within the industry and read about other people who are enjoying a career in this area.

With core electrotechnical skills under your belt, you can explore the different careers routes that are available to you here are just some of the roles you’ll find across the industry.