Day December 30, 2025

City & Guilds vs EAL vs LCL Awards: Which Electrical Qualification Is Best? 

City & Guilds, EAL, and LCL electrical qualifications showing differences in recognition, assessment style, employer acceptance, and international reach.

Prospective electricians researching UK electrical qualifications quickly encounter three main awarding bodies: City & Guilds, EAL (Excellence, Achievement & Learning), and LCL Awards (formerly Logic Certification). The question "which is best?" appears repeatedly in forums, Facebook groups, and training provider consultations, often creating anxiety that choosing the "wrong" awarding body might damage career prospects or waste training investment.

Understanding Electrical Course Codes: What 2365, 2357, 2382 & EAL Equivalents Actually Mean 

Journey from confusing electrician course options to a structured, verified qualification pathway and a fully qualified electrician with ECS Gold Card.

UK electrical qualification codes create confusion that costs learners thousands of pounds in misdirected training investments and delayed career progression. Course codes like "2365," "2357," "2382," and "2391" appear constantly in training provider marketing, job advertisements, and industry discussions, often presented as if their meanings are self-evident when reality is considerably more complex.

Why Approved Electricians Earn More Than Standard Electricians 

infographic comparing a Standard Electrician and an Approved Electrician, showing installation-only tasks on the left and testing, verification, documentation, and compliance responsibilities on the right.

If you're looking at electrician job adverts or researching average electrician salary uk figures, you'll see roles listed as "Electrician," "Approved Electrician," and sometimes "Technician Electrician," with pay differences that seem arbitrary. A standard electrician role might advertise £34,000-£38,000 annually, while an Approved Electrician position at the same company offers £40,000-£48,000. The gap widens further in industrial sectors, where Approved roles can reach £50,000+. On paper, that's a 15-20% premium for what appears to be a similar job title.

Learners are Studying level 2 Electrician Course

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Learners are Studying level 2 Electrician Course

Guaranteed Work Placement for Your NVQ

No experience needed. Get started Now.

Prefer to call? Tap here

Learners are Studying level 2 Electrician Course

Guaranteed Work Placement for Your NVQ

No experience needed. Get started Now.

Prefer to call? Tap here

Learners are Studying level 2 Electrician Course

Guaranteed Work Placement for Your NVQ

No experience needed. Get started Now.

Prefer to call? Tap here

Enquire Now for Course Information