How to Build Your NVQ Level 3 Electrical Portfolio (Without Losing Your Mind) 

So, you’ve done your Level 2, Level 3 electrical installation, and 18th Edition, congrats, honestly. But now you’re looking at the 2357 NVQ and thinking, “Right, what’s actually needed to get fully qualified?” Let me break this down for you. If your one of the, I got no experience and I got no work, then fear not we can help with our guaranteed work placement for your NVQ Level 3 Electrical.  

This article is for apprentices, improvers, and adult career-changers who are ready to convert real site experience into a recognised Level 3 competence. I’m going to give you a clear checklist of everything assessors expect, explain each unit in plain English (because honestly, the official documentation is a nightmare), and show exactly how to gather, label, and upload evidence so nothing stalls your portfolio. 

We’ll cover what to prepare before you start, the Skill Scan, proof of your Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas, 18th Edition, and how we use OneFile to track progress. I’ll outline the seven practical units you must complete, what a good site looks like for observations, and the two Health & Safety assessments that must be months apart. You’ll get a ready-to-use pack list for RAMS, Work Programmes, EICs, MWCs, and Witness Testimonies, plus our photo-evidence standard (because “before, during, after” with a short write-up is what speeds assessor sign-off). We’ll also cover common pitfalls, realistic timelines, and what happens after you pass AM2 on the way to your ECS JIB Gold Card. 

Introduction to the NVQ 2357-44 Portfolio 

Right, so this part of your journey is based on all the theory you’ve learned from your Level 2 & Level 3 Diplomas plus the 18th Edition. You’ll need to do a Skill Scan to confirm your qualifications are suitable to do the NVQ 2357-44 (basically, if you’ve got less than three years’ experience, this is the route for you). 

The online platform we use is called OneFile, think of it as your digital portfolio where everything lives. 

There are seven practical units to complete, and honestly, they’re not as scary as they sound once you break them down. 

Unit 311: Health & Safety (The Face-to-Face One) 

Here’s the thing about this unit, it must be observed face-to-face on two separate occasions with a minimum of three months apart. No shortcuts here, unfortunately. 

Before each site assessment, you’ll need to complete a Risk Assessment Method Statement and a Work Programme. (Yes, I know, more paperwork. But trust me, having these sorted makes the actual assessment way smoother.) 

You’ll need to be doing a task working at height using access equipment, stepladders, ladders, platform, MEWP, or scaffolding, whatever you’re using on site. Also, you should be wearing the correct PPE as per your Risk Assessment/Method Statement, because obviously the assessor is going to check that. 

You’ll be asked questions about the task you’re doing and general H&S questions, and your behaviour and conduct will also be observed. During the assessment, you’ll be able to show the assessor product evidence you’ve installed. If the site is suitable, you’ll also be assessed/observed on the different units below, this is actually the most efficient way of completing the portfolio, so try to coordinate this if you can. 

Unit 312: Environmental & Technologies (The Written One) 

This unit is a written project where you’ll need to do a write-up about the use of hazardous materials and products in reference to a job (or jobs) you’ve worked on. You’ll need to cover: 

• Environmental Protection Act 
• The Hazardous Waste Regulations 
• Control of Pollution Act 
• Control of Noise at Work Regulations 
• Packaging (Essential) Regulations 
• Environmental Act 
• The WEEE Regulations 

You’ll also need to provide information on the following technologies, include a picture and state the advantages for each: 

• Solar photovoltaic 
• Wind Energy 
• Micro Hydro 
• Heat Pumps 
• Grey Water Recycling 
• Rainwater Harvesting 
• Biomass Heating 
• Solar Thermal Hot Water Heating 
• Combined Heat & Power (including Micro CHP) 
• To be fair, this one’s a bit of a slog, but once you get into the rhythm of it, it’s pretty straightforward. Just don’t leave it until the last minute. 

Unit 313: Overseeing Work 

This unit is about providing information on H&S, details about the work activity you’re carrying out (job specification/quotation, that sort of thing), how you liaise with other trades on site, and how to make sure the job is completed on time. 

You’ll need to: 

Produce a Work Programme showing liaison with other tradespeople 

Produce a Risk Assessment and Method Statement 

Provide information on tools and equipment used 

Show materials collected or delivered to site, use a Delivery Note to check for correct quantities and to make sure no materials are damaged 

Parts of this unit can be assessed during the face-to-face site assessment by direct questioning, which is handy because it means less written work for you. 

Unit 315: Planning, Preparing & Installing (The Big One) 

This unit is similar to Overseeing Work, but you’ll also need to provide information about how you make sure any equipment installed is safe to use. 

Provide evidence of 4 different types of cables you’ve installed: 

• PVC/PVC cable (T&E) 
• SWA cable 
• FP200 cable (fire resistance) 
• Single insulation cable 
• Flexes 
• SY cable 
• Data cable (e.g., Cat 5e) 

Choice of 4 different types of containment you’ve installed: 

• PVC conduit 
• Metal conduit 
• PVC trunking 
• Metal trunking 
• Cable tray 
• Ladder systems 
• Ducting 
• Busbar systems 
• Modular wiring systems 

Choice of 5 different types of equipment you’ve installed: 

• Isolators 
• Socket outlets 
• Distribution boards 
• Consumer units 
• Luminaires 
• MCBs 
• Earth terminals 
• Control panels 
• Electric motors and control equipment 
• Heating systems 
• Data sockets 

Honestly, if you’re working on a decent variety of sites, you’ll hit most of these naturally. Just make sure you’re documenting as you go, don’t try to remember everything six months later. 

Unit 316: Terminations & Connect 

Provide information/evidence of you connecting four types of equipment (from the list above). 

You’ll also need to provide evidence of using three types of connections: 

• Screwing 
• Crimping 
• Soldering 
• Non-screw compression (Wagos) 

This one’s pretty straightforward if you’ve been working on installations, you’re probably doing these connections daily anyway. 

Unit 317: Inspection & Testing (The Important One) 

You’ll need to provide information on how you carried out the Safe Isolation Procedure — and yes, they will ask you about this in detail. 

Here’s what you need: 

– Complete 2 Electrical Installation Certificates complete with the schedules (use the On-Site Guide to assist you) for 2 jobs you’ve tested under supervision 

– Complete a Minor Works Certificate for a job where you carried out alterations to a circuit or replaced an accessory 

– Provide a Witness Testimony from your Work Supervisor/Employer that you carried out the testing under supervision 

– Provide information on how you handed over the installation to the customer/client 

The thing about this unit is that it’s probably the most crucial one for proving you can actually do the job safely and competently, so take your time with it. 

Unit 318: Fault Finding 

Demonstrate/provide information on how you carried out the Safe Isolation Procedure prior to fault finding (yes, again — they’re big on safe isolation, as they should be). 

You’ll need to: 

• Liaise with the customer/client prior to starting the fault finding 
• Provide information on 3 different types of faults you’ve rectified from this list: 
• Loss of supply 
• Overload 
• Short circuit and earth fault 
• Transient voltage (Professional Discussion) 
• High resistance joints/loose connection 
• Incorrect phase rotation 
• Accessory/equipment faults 
• For the faults above, you’ll need to provide evidence of the tools and test instruments used, a Witness Testimony from your Work Supervisor/Employer that you located and corrected the faults, and evidence of documentation you provided after the fault finding. 

Summary of Documentation Required 

Let’s be real — this is the bit everyone dreads because it’s just admin. But here’s your checklist: 

• 2 Risk Assessments 
• 2 Method Statements 
• 2 Work Programmes 
• 2 Electrical Installation Certificates 
• 1 Minor Works Certificate 
• 2 Witness Testimonies for the Inspection/Testing and completion of Electrical Installation Certificates 
• Print this list. Stick it somewhere visible. Tick things off as you go. 
• Use of Photographic Evidence (This Bit’s Actually Important) 

If you’re going to use photos as evidence of a task you have or are going to install, you’ll need a minimum of three photos, before, during, and after — and you’ll also need to do a small write-up explaining how you installed/completed the task. 

Here’s an example to show you what I mean: 

– Before [image] This task was to terminate a TV point using the screwed method. 

– During [images] I had to strip back the outer sheathing, exposing the braided cable which is to be connected to the clamp on the back of the plate. 

– After [image] Once terminated, I fixed the faceplate to the wall using the fixing screws supplied. 

– See? Not complicated. Just document as you go and you’ll thank yourself later. 

Unit 399: AM2 (The Final Boss) 

When you’ve completed the seven practical units, we’ll assist you to apply to one of the approved AM2 Centres for you to take the AM2. (This is an additional cost, just so you know.) 

Go to www.netservices.co.uk for further information. 

On passing the AM2, your portfolio will then be completed, which will then be signed off by City & Guilds. Once you’re in receipt of your 2357-44 NVQ, you’ll then be able to apply to JIB for your Gold Card — and honestly, that Gold Card is what you’ve been working towards this whole time. 

Look, building your NVQ portfolio isn’t the most exciting part of becoming a qualified electrician, but it’s necessary. The key is to document as you go rather than trying to backfill everything at the end (trust me on this — I’ve seen too many people stress themselves out doing it the hard way). 

If you want us to help, please reach out and call 0330 822 5337. We’ve guided hundreds of electricians through this process, and honestly, having someone in your corner who knows exactly what the assessors are looking for makes the whole thing way less stressful. 

Power up your future — one unit at a time.