LCL Awards aligns electrical qualification prerequisites with TESP’s Electrician Plus model
29 Oct 2025
LCL Awards has recently updated the entry requirements for its electrical-based renewable qualifications, aligning them with The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership’s (TESP) Electrician Plus model. The change comes ahead of new national competency standards due to take effect in 2026.
Here’s what this means for learners, training centres and the wider industry.
Q: What is the Electrician Plus model, and why is it important?
Developed by The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), the Electrician Plus model provides a clear progression route for qualified electricians looking to upskill into renewable and low-carbon technologies.
It ensures that training and assessment build upon a solid foundation of core electrical competence, creating consistency across awarding organisations and training providers.
This approach gives employers and consumers confidence that work on technologies like solar photovoltaic (PV), battery storage (EESS) and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging is being carried out by competent, fully qualified professionals.
Q: What are the upcoming changes to the Mandatory Technical Competencies (MTC)?
The Mandatory Technical Competencies (MTC) outline the minimum skills, knowledge and qualifications required for individuals working under Competent Person Schemes (CPS).
Upcoming revisions to the MTC will formalise the requirement that only qualified electricians should carry out work on specialist renewable and low-carbon systems – such as solar PV, battery storage and EV charging equipment.
By updating its prerequisites now, LCL Awards ensures its qualifications remain compliant with these future requirements.
Q: What changes has LCL Awards made to its qualifications?
We’ve revised the prerequisites for our Solar Photovoltaic (SPV), Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS), and Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (EVCE) qualifications.
From now on, only fully qualified electricians will be able to enrol on these courses.
This proactive move ensures consistency with the Electrician Plus model, as well as the forthcoming MTC and Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) updates - reinforcing high standards of safety, quality and competence across the industry.
Q: Why has LCL Awards made this change now?
By taking this step early, LCL Awards is helping its centres and learners prepare for upcoming regulatory shifts and supporting the industry’s ongoing professionalisation.
Neill Ovenden, Operations Director, explains:
“We have updated our qualification prerequisites to stay ahead of regulatory changes and maintain national consistency. These updates give clarity to learners, centres, and employers, ensuring that those installing renewable and low-carbon systems are fully qualified electricians with the proper knowledge, skills, and experience.”
Q: How does this support the wider industry and the transition to net zero?
By adopting the Electrician Plus model, LCL Awards is helping to future-proof the electrotechnical workforce, supporting the UK’s transition to cleaner, low-carbon technologies.
The update reinforces national standards of safety and competence, ensuring that the workforce can meet the demands of a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Ruth Devine, Chair of TESP, said:
“With public safety and workforce competence of critical importance, TESP welcomes further qualifications aligned to industry standards and the Electrician Plus principles. The installation of low-carbon technologies is an additional specialism for industry-recognised qualified electricians. Alignment with Electrician Plus helps prevent non-qualified or under-qualified personnel from carrying out electrotechnical installation work, reducing fire and shock risks.”
Looking ahead
This update provides clarity for learners, confidence for employers and assurance for the public - reinforcing LCL Awards’ commitment to a safe, skilled and future-ready workforce powering the UK’s low-carbon transition.
LCL Awards has recently updated the entry requirements for its electrical-based renewable qualifications, aligning them with The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership’s (TESP) Electrician Plus model. The change comes ahead of new national competency standards due to take effect in 2026.
Here’s what this means for learners, training centres and the wider industry.
Q: What is the Electrician Plus model, and why is it important?
Developed by The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), the Electrician Plus model provides a clear progression route for qualified electricians looking to upskill into renewable and low-carbon technologies.
It ensures that training and assessment build upon a solid foundation of core electrical competence, creating consistency across awarding organisations and training providers.
This approach gives employers and consumers confidence that work on technologies like solar photovoltaic (PV), battery storage (EESS) and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging is being carried out by competent, fully qualified professionals.
Q: What are the upcoming changes to the Mandatory Technical Competencies (MTC)?
The Mandatory Technical Competencies (MTC) outline the minimum skills, knowledge and qualifications required for individuals working under Competent Person Schemes (CPS).
Upcoming revisions to the MTC will formalise the requirement that only qualified electricians should carry out work on specialist renewable and low-carbon systems – such as solar PV, battery storage and EV charging equipment.
By updating its prerequisites now, LCL Awards ensures its qualifications remain compliant with these future requirements.
Q: What changes has LCL Awards made to its qualifications?
We’ve revised the prerequisites for our Solar Photovoltaic (SPV), Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS), and Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (EVCE) qualifications.
From now on, only fully qualified electricians will be able to enrol on these courses.
This proactive move ensures consistency with the Electrician Plus model, as well as the forthcoming MTC and Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) updates - reinforcing high standards of safety, quality and competence across the industry.
Q: Why has LCL Awards made this change now?
By taking this step early, LCL Awards is helping its centres and learners prepare for upcoming regulatory shifts and supporting the industry’s ongoing professionalisation.
Neill Ovenden, Operations Director, explains:
“We have updated our qualification prerequisites to stay ahead of regulatory changes and maintain national consistency. These updates give clarity to learners, centres, and employers, ensuring that those installing renewable and low-carbon systems are fully qualified electricians with the proper knowledge, skills, and experience.”
Q: How does this support the wider industry and the transition to net zero?
By adopting the Electrician Plus model, LCL Awards is helping to future-proof the electrotechnical workforce, supporting the UK’s transition to cleaner, low-carbon technologies.
The update reinforces national standards of safety and competence, ensuring that the workforce can meet the demands of a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Ruth Devine, Chair of TESP, said:
“With public safety and workforce competence of critical importance, TESP welcomes further qualifications aligned to industry standards and the Electrician Plus principles. The installation of low-carbon technologies is an additional specialism for industry-recognised qualified electricians. Alignment with Electrician Plus helps prevent non-qualified or under-qualified personnel from carrying out electrotechnical installation work, reducing fire and shock risks.”
Looking ahead
This update provides clarity for learners, confidence for employers and assurance for the public - reinforcing LCL Awards’ commitment to a safe, skilled and future-ready workforce powering the UK’s low-carbon transition.