Apprenticeship Standards Explained: 5393 Domestic vs 5357 Installation/Maintenance

Charanjit Mannu, Director at Elec Training and Vocational Education Expert

By Charanjit Mannu

Vocational Education, Employability & Green Technology
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  • Technical review: Thomas Jevons (Head of Training, 20+ years)
  • Employability review: Joshua Jarvis (Placement Manager)
  • Editorial review: Jessica Gilbert (Marketing Editorial Team)
Comparison of electrician pathways showing 5393 Domestic with limited scope and earnings versus 5357 Installation and Maintenance with broader work, higher income, and ECS Gold Card progression
5393 Domestic vs 5357 Installation & Maintenance: limited domestic scope compared with wider opportunities, higher earnings, and career growth.

Introduction 

The UK electrical industry now operates with two distinct apprenticeship standards: ST0539 (Level 3 Domestic Electrician) and ST0152 (Level 3 Installation/Maintenance Electrician). On paper, both are Level 3 qualifications. Both take 3-4 years. Both are government-funded. But here’s what the marketing materials don’t emphasise: choosing the wrong one can lock you out of 70% of the electrical industry for your entire career. 

The 5393 Domestic Electrician standard was introduced in 2018 to create a streamlined pathway specifically for residential electrical work. The 5357 Installation/Maintenance standard has been the industry’s full-scope qualification since 2016. The difference isn’t just about breadth of training. It’s about legal competence under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, insurance coverage, site access through the ECS card system, earning potential, and whether you’ll hit a career ceiling at £40,000 or progress to £60,000+ with specialist roles. 

If you’re considering UK electrical apprenticeship pathways and trying to understand which standard leads where, this guide breaks down the regulatory framework, training content, permitted scope of work, evidence requirements, pay differences, and long-term career implications using data from government apprenticeship standards, JIB wage agreements, ECS card requirements, and HSE competence guidance.

Diagram comparing 5393 Domestic Electrician apprenticeship versus 5357 InstallationMaintenance Electrician showing scope and career differences
The 5393 standard restricts apprentices to residential work whilst 5357 provides full industry access across domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors

The Regulatory Framework: What the Law Actually Requires

Understanding why these two standards exist requires starting with the legal definition of electrical competence in the UK. 

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) 

Regulation 16 states: “No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger or, where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.” 

The critical phrase is “technical knowledge or experience necessary to prevent danger.” This isn’t a blanket qualification. Competence must match the specific work and environment. 

5357 holders meet the Regulation 16 competence threshold for complex multi-phase systems, commercial distribution boards, industrial control panels, and hazardous environments because their training includes “Electrical Scientific Principles” covering three-phase theory, fault current calculations, and commercial containment methods. 

5393 holders do not meet the competence threshold for commercial or industrial environments under EAWR. Their training is explicitly limited to “dwellings.” Working unsupervised on three-phase systems, commercial distribution, or industrial motor circuits would constitute a breach of EAWR if their training consisted only of the domestic standard. Legally, they would require close supervision in those environments, equivalent to an apprentice, which negates their value as a qualified tradesperson outside residential work. 

This isn’t theoretical. HSE investigations following electrical incidents examine whether the person who carried out the work possessed the technical knowledge required under Regulation 16. A 5393 holder working on a commercial system cannot prove competence if their qualification explicitly excludes that scope. 

Building Regulations Part P 

Part P of the Building Regulations applies only to electrical installations in dwellings (houses, flats, and associated gardens/outbuildings). It defines “notifiable work” (new circuits, consumer unit replacements, work in bathrooms and kitchens) and requires it to be carried out by a “competent person” or notified to Building Control. 

The 5393 Domestic Electrician standard was specifically designed to meet the Qualified Supervisor (QS) requirements for Competent Person Schemes like NICEIC Domestic Installer and NAPIT. This allows self-certification of Part P notifiable work in homes. 

The limitation: Part P competence does not extend to communal areas in blocks of flats, landlord supplies, or intake rooms serving multiple dwellings if they involve complex distribution or three-phase supplies. These are often classified as commercial installations despite being in residential buildings, creating a grey area where a Domestic Electrician may be legally unable to work on the electrical intake serving the very flats they’re wiring. 

BS 7671 Wiring Regulations (18th Edition) 

Both standards require knowledge of BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (the IET Wiring Regulations). Both require the 18th Edition qualification (City & Guilds 2382). The difference is in assessment scope. 

5357 Installation/Maintenance is assessed against the full scope of BS 7671 Parts 1-7, including: 

  • Three-phase distribution and load balancing 

  • Commercial and industrial containment systems (steel conduit, cable tray, cable ladder, trunking) 

  • Motors, starters, and control circuits 

  • Special installations (Section 7): agricultural, marinas, caravans, heating cables, photovoltaic systems 

  • Advanced testing sequences for polyphase systems 

5393 Domestic Electrician is assessed only on single-phase residential applications of BS 7671. The standard explicitly excludes: 

  • Commercial and industrial trunking and conduit installation 

  • Three-phase polyphase distribution boards 

  • Agricultural and special locations (Section 705 often excluded from domestic curriculum) 

  • Complex fault diagnosis on control wiring and motor circuits 

Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) 2024 

The EAS 2024 formally categorises electrical workers for JIB grading and ECS card purposes: 

Installation Electrician (A1.1): Meets full Qualified Supervisor requirements for all electrical work. Requires NVQ Level 3 Installation or Maintenance (5357) plus AM2/AM2S practical assessment. 

Domestic Electrician (A1.2): Separate category strictly limited to dwellings. Requires Level 3 Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Installation – Dwellings) (5393) plus AM2D practical assessment. 

The EAS upgrade requirements state that to move from Domestic to Installation Electrician, a candidate must provide performance evidence of commercial work including steel containment and three-phase systems. A 5393 holder working exclusively in homes cannot generate this evidence in their normal job role, creating a significant barrier to progression. 

ECS Card System and Site Access 

5357 Installation/Maintenance: 

  • Eligible for ECS Registered Electrician Gold Card (Installation Electrician) 

  • Full site access to domestic, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects 

  • Meets insurance and client competence requirements for Tier 1 contractors 

5393 Domestic Electrician: 

  • Eligible for Domestic Electrician Gold Card (introduced 2023) 

  • Restricted to residential housing sites only 

  • Many large commercial construction sites operate “100% CSCS/ECS Installation Card” policies that reject Domestic cards entirely 

The practical impact: Major contractors like Balfour Beatty, Mace, and NG Bailey require Installation Electrician Gold Cards. A 5393 graduate turning up at a commercial site gate with a Domestic card will be refused access, regardless of their technical ability. This isn’t arbitrary; it’s driven by client contracts, insurance requirements, and CDM Regulations competence verification. 

Qualification Structure: What You Actually Learn

The structural differences between these standards explain why the career outcomes diverge so dramatically. 

ST0539 – Level 3 Domestic Electrician (5393) 

Duration: 36 months typical (government minimum 12 months, but most providers deliver 3-year programmes) 

Core training content: 

  • Electrical Scientific Principles in Dwellings (excludes complex polyphase theory) 

  • Design and Installation Practices for Dwellings (single-phase circuit design only) 

  • Termination and Connection in Dwellings (domestic cable types, excludes SWA glanding except simple runs) 

  • Inspection, Testing and Commissioning in Dwellings (single-phase EIC and basic EICR) 

  • Fault Diagnosis in Dwellings (excludes control wiring faults, motor faults, panel diagnostics) 

What’s explicitly excluded: 

  • Three-phase power systems and motor installations 

  • Steel conduit, cable tray, cable ladder systems 

  • SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) cable installation to commercial standards 

  • MICC and FP200 fire-rated cable systems 

  • Industrial fault diagnosis and maintenance 

  • Building Management Systems (BMS) and HVAC controls 

  • Complex load calculations for commercial distribution 

Assessment method: 

  • On-site portfolio of domestic installations 

  • AM2D (Achievement Measurement 2 – Domestic) practical exam 

  • Knowledge test covering residential scenarios only 

Off-the-job training: Minimum 20% of working hours (6 hours per 30-hour week) 

End Point Assessment: Portfolio review, practical assessment in controlled domestic environment, professional discussion 

ST0152 – Level 3 Installation/Maintenance Electrician (5357) 

Duration: 48-54 months typical (4-year programmes standard for comprehensive coverage) 

Core training content: 

  • Electrical Scientific Principles (full scope including three-phase theory, transformer principles, motor operation) 

  • Design and Installation Practices (domestic, commercial, and industrial environments) 

  • Termination and Connection (all cable types: T&E, SWA, MICC, FP200, singles in containment) 

  • Understand and Apply Inspection, Testing and Commissioning (single and three-phase, commercial EICRs) 

  • Fault Diagnosis and Rectification (control circuits, motor faults, panel diagnostics, complex systems) 

  • Industrial Containment Methods (steel conduit bending, tray and ladder installation, trunking systems) 

Additional scope covered: 

  • Motors, motor starters, and control gear 

  • Three-phase distribution boards and busbar chambers 

  • Emergency lighting systems (central battery and self-contained) 

  • Fire alarm systems (basic installation) 

  • Photovoltaic (PV) systems integration 

  • EV charging infrastructure (commercial installations) 

  • Heat pump electrical integration 

  • Building Management Systems (BMS) awareness 

Assessment method: 

  • Comprehensive portfolio across domestic, commercial, and industrial environments 

  • AM2/AM2S (Achievement Measurement 2 – Standard) practical exam including three-phase scenarios 

  • Knowledge test covering all environments 

Off-the-job training: Minimum 20% of working hours 

End Point Assessment: Portfolio review, practical assessment covering multi-environment scenarios, professional discussion on complex installations 

Diagram showing 5393 domestic training content as subset of full 5357 installationmaintenance scope with excluded areas highlighted
The 5393 standard covers only the residential subset of electrical work, excluding commercial, industrial, and three-phase systems entirely

The comprehensive comparison across electrical training programmes: 

Feature 5393 Domestic Electrician 5357 Installation/Maintenance 
Duration 36 months (3 years) 48-54 months (4-4.5 years) 
Assessment Portfolio + AM2D Portfolio + AM2/AM2S 
Scope Dwellings only All environments 
Three-Phase Not covered Full coverage 
Industrial Containment Excluded Steel conduit, tray, ladder 
Motors & Control Excluded Full installation & fault-finding 
Testing Authority Domestic EIC/EICR only Commercial & industrial EICRs 
End Card Domestic Electrician Gold Installation Electrician Gold 
JIB Grading Not applicable (domestic only) Electrician / Approved Electrician 

Permitted Scope of Work: What You Can Actually Do

The scope limitations aren’t just about training depth. They’re defined by legal competence, insurance coverage, and industry certification requirements. 

5393 Domestic Electrician – Permitted Work 

Residential installations: 

  • House rewires (single-phase only) 

  • Consumer unit installation and replacement 

  • Lighting, socket, and cooker circuits 

  • Immersion heaters and electric showers 

  • Domestic EV chargers (7kW single-phase with additional short course) 

  • Smoke and heat detector systems (domestic grade) 

Testing and certification: 

  • Initial Verification (EIC) of own new domestic work 

  • Minor Works Certificates for domestic alterations 

  • Basic Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) for single-phase dwellings 

Qualified Supervisor status: 

  • Can act as QS for Domestic Installer schemes (NICEIC/NAPIT Domestic) 

  • Limited to Part P self-certification in homes 

5393 Domestic Electrician – Prohibited Work 

Commercial installations: 

  • Office fit-outs, retail premises, restaurants 

  • Schools, nurseries, medical facilities 

  • Warehouses, workshops, light industrial units 

  • Commercial landlord supplies and communal areas 

Industrial environments: 

  • Factory installations and maintenance 

  • Data centres and server rooms 

  • Agricultural installations 

  • Processing plants and heavy industrial sites 

Specific systems: 

  • Three-phase distribution boards and busbar chambers 

  • Motor installations, starters, and variable speed drives 

  • Industrial control panels and relay logic 

  • Commercial emergency lighting (central battery systems) 

  • Commercial fire alarm installation (addressable systems) 

  • Industrial SWA distribution and panel feeding 

  • High-bay lighting and industrial containment 

Insurance implications: Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance for domestic electricians typically contains explicit exclusions for “work on commercial, industrial, or agricultural premises.” Claims arising from prohibited work would be rejected, leaving the individual personally liable. 

5357 Installation/Maintenance Electrician – Full Scope 

Domestic work: All work permitted to 5393 holders plus: 

  • Whole-house smart home integration 

  • Complex lighting control systems 

  • Integrated renewable energy systems (PV with battery storage) 

Commercial work: 

  • Complete office and retail fit-outs 

  • Commercial distribution boards (single and three-phase) 

  • Small power and lighting in all commercial premises 

  • Till and point-of-sale electrical infrastructure 

  • Commercial kitchen installations 

  • Shop frontage and signage electrical work 

Industrial work: 

  • Factory maintenance and installation 

  • Motor installations up to specified ratings 

  • Industrial control systems and starter panels 

  • Production line electrical distribution 

  • Warehouse and logistics centre installations 

  • Process control wiring and sensor integration 

Specialist systems (with additional training): 

  • Commercial EV rapid charging hubs (50kW+ DC) 

  • Solar farms and large-scale PV installations 

  • Industrial heat pump systems and HVAC integration 

  • Building Management Systems (BMS) integration 

  • Emergency lighting (all types) 

  • Fire alarm systems (with FIA certification) 

Testing and certification: 

  • Commercial EICRs (with C&G 2391-52 qualification) 

  • Periodic Inspection and Testing across all sectors 

  • Industrial installation commissioning 

  • Three-phase system verification 

Qualified Supervisor status: 

  • Can act as QS for full NICEIC/NAPIT Approved Contractor schemes 

  • Covers domestic, commercial, and industrial work 

  • Required for supervisory and management positions 

Installation electrician working on commercial three-phase distribution board in industrial environment
The 5357 standard provides competence for three-phase commercial and industrial systems that 5393 domestic apprentices cannot legally work on unsupervised

The Evidence Barrier: Why Upgrading Is Nearly Impossible

This is where the career trap becomes apparent. The NVQ evidence requirements create a structural barrier that prevents domestic apprentices from easily upgrading to full Installation Electrician status later. 

5357 Portfolio Evidence Requirements 

To achieve the Level 3 NVQ in Installation or Maintenance (5357), apprentices must provide documented photographic and written evidence of: 

Installation work: 

  • Steel conduit installation and bending (90° bends, sets, saddles) 

  • Cable tray and cable ladder installation 

  • Three-phase distribution board termination and testing 

  • SWA cable installation, glanding, and earthing 

  • Motor installation and starter wiring 

  • Control panel wiring and relay logic 

Testing and commissioning: 

  • Three-phase system testing (insulation resistance, continuity, RCD testing) 

  • Earth fault loop impedance on polyphase circuits 

  • Prospective fault current calculations and verification 

  • Functional testing of motor control circuits 

Diverse environments: 

  • Documented work in domestic settings 

  • Documented work in commercial premises 

  • Documented work in industrial or agricultural settings 

Thomas Jevons, our Head of Training with 20+ years of experience, explains the problem:

"The NVQ evidence barrier is real. To complete a 5357 portfolio, you need documented proof of steel conduit installation, three-phase panel terminations, and SWA cable work. A domestic apprentice legally can't obtain this evidence because they're not competent to work on those systems unsupervised. It creates a genuine career trap."

Thomas Jevons, Head of Training

The Catch-22 for 5393 Holders

The upgrade problem: 

  1. Need evidence from commercial/industrial work to complete 5357 portfolio 

  1. Can’t legally work unsupervised on commercial/industrial systems without 5357 competence 

  1. Employers won’t hire without Gold Card (which requires completed 5357) 

  1. Insurance won’t cover non-competent work on commercial systems 

  1. Must find willing employer to provide supervised commercial experience while building portfolio 

  1. Most employers prefer hiring qualified 5357 graduates rather than supervising 5393 upgraders 

The bridging assessment route: Some providers offer “Experienced Worker Assessment” routes allowing 5393 holders to pursue 5357 later. This requires: 

  • Finding employment in a commercial or industrial environment 

  • Working under close supervision while building portfolio evidence 

  • Paying for additional assessment (often £2,000-£3,000) 

  • Taking AM2E (Experienced) or AM2S practical exam 

  • Typically 12-18 months to complete while working full-time 

The practical reality: Many 5393 holders who attempt to upgrade later report being unable to secure the necessary commercial experience. Employers hiring for commercial roles specifically request “NVQ Level 3 Installation (2357/5357)” and reject domestic-only applicants. This forces a restart of the full apprenticeship with a different employer, effectively wasting 3 years. 

5393 Portfolio – Limitations 

The 5393 portfolio requires evidence of domestic work only: 

  • Single-phase consumer units 

  • Domestic lighting and socket circuits 

  • Twin and earth cable installation 

  • PVC trunking and capping 

  • Basic testing and initial verification 

What’s missing: Three-phase experience, industrial containment methods, motor installations, commercial distribution, SWA cable work, complex fault diagnosis. These gaps make the 5393 portfolio insufficient for upgrading to 5357 without essentially starting fresh. 

Earnings and Labour Market Demand 

The pay gap between domestic-only and full-scope electricians is substantial and well-documented across multiple data sources.

Apprentice Rates

Apprentice Year 5393 Domestic 5357 Installation/Maintenance 
Year 1 £6.40 – £9.00/hour £7.00 – £10.50/hour (JIB rates apply) 
Year 2 £8.00 – £11.00/hour £9.50 – £12.50/hour 
Year 3 £10.00 – £13.00/hour £12.00 – £15.00/hour 
Year 4 N/A (complete at 3 years) £14.00 – £16.50/hour 

JIB apprentice rates 2025: First-year apprentices on 5357 programmes with JIB-registered employers earn structured rates starting at £7.83/hour, rising to £15.34/hour by Year 4. 5393 apprentices rarely benefit from JIB rates as most employers are small domestic contractors outside the JIB structure. 

Newly Qualified Earnings (PAYE) 

5393 Domestic Electrician: 

  • Entry salary: £28,000 – £32,000 annually 

  • Regional variation: North £26,000-£30,000, Midlands £28,000-£32,000, South £30,000-£34,000, London £32,000-£36,000 

5357 Installation Electrician: 

  • Entry salary: £32,000 – £38,000 annually 

  • Regional variation: North £30,000-£36,000, Midlands £32,000-£38,000, South £36,000-£42,000, London £38,000-£45,000 

  • JIB Electrician grade: £38,742 base (2025 rates, £18.80/hour standard 40-hour week, London +£3-£5/hour) 

Experienced Electrician Earnings 

5393 Domestic Route: 

  • 5-10 years experience: £32,000 – £38,000 

  • Ceiling: £35,000 – £40,000 (rarely exceeds £42,000) 

  • Self-employed domestic: £180-£220 per day (regional variation) 

5357 Installation Route: 

  • 5-10 years experience: £42,000 – £52,000 

  • With C&G 2391 testing qualification: £45,000 – £55,000 

  • With specialist skills (CompEx, EV, PV, controls): £50,000 – £65,000+ 

  • JIB Approved Electrician: £42,952 base (2025 rates, £20.84/hour) 

  • Self-employed commercial: £250-£350 per day 

  • Contract roles (data centres, industrial maintenance): £280-£400 per day 

Joshua Jarvis, our Placement Manager, regularly sees this gap:

"Domestic-only electricians hit a hard earnings ceiling around £35,000-£40,000 because homeowners only pay so much. The commercial and industrial sectors pay significantly more - £42,000-£55,000+ for experienced electricians - but those opportunities require the full 5357 qualification and Gold Card."

Joshua Jarvis, Placement Manager

Regional Earnings Breakdown 

Region 5393 Domestic (Experienced) 5357 Installation (Experienced) Gap 
North £32,000 – £38,000 £38,000 – £48,000 £6,000 – £10,000 
Midlands £34,000 – £40,000 £42,000 – £52,000 £8,000 – £12,000 
South £36,000 – £42,000 £45,000 – £55,000 £9,000 – £13,000 
London £38,000 – £45,000 £48,000 – £65,000 £10,000 – £20,000 

Why the gap exists: 

  • Commercial and industrial contracts pay higher rates due to complexity and risk 

  • Gold Card requirement restricts domestic-only electricians from accessing these contracts 

  • Testing qualification (C&G 2391) typically adds £5,000-£10,000 to earning potential 

  • Domestic market is highly competitive and price-sensitive 

  • Commercial roles often include premium rates for overtime, shift work, and specialist skills 

Line chart comparing earnings progression from apprentice to experienced electrician for 5393 domestic versus 5357 installation standards
The earnings gap widens significantly with experience. Domestic electricians hit a ceiling around £40,000 whilst full installation electricians progress to £55,000-£65,000+ with specialist qualifications.

Employer Perception and Hiring Preferences

The labour market reality shows a clear preference for 5357-qualified electricians across the commercial and industrial sectors. 

Major M&E Contractor Requirements 

Tier 1 and Tier 2 mechanical and electrical contractors (firms like NG Bailey, T-Clarke, Crown House Technologies, Briggs & Forrester) almost exclusively hire 5357 graduates. Job advertisements explicitly state: 

Typical requirements: 

  • “NVQ Level 3 Electrical Installation (2357/5357) essential” 

  • “ECS Gold Card (Installation Electrician) required” 

  • “AM2/AM2S qualified – no domestic-only applicants” 

  • “Experience across commercial and industrial environments” 

  • “Ability to work on three-phase distribution systems” 

5393 applicants: Routinely rejected from commercial roles. HR systems filter out Domestic Electrician cards during pre-screening. Even where technical ability might suffice, insurance and client contract requirements mandate Installation Electrician Gold Cards. 

Housing Association and Domestic Contractors 

5393 holders find employment primarily with: 

  • Housing associations (Clarion, Peabody, L&Q) for social housing maintenance 

  • Small domestic electrical contractors (1-5 employees) 

  • Regional house-building firms (new-build domestic installations) 

  • Domestic maintenance and repair companies 

Market size: The domestic-only sector represents approximately 30% of total UK electrical work by value. The remaining 70% (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, specialist installations) requires 5357 competence. 

Industry Sentiment

Employer feedback (paraphrased from industry forums and recruitment discussions): 

"We won't take the risk on domestic-only electricians for site work. Our insurance requires Gold Card installation electricians, and our clients audit competence. A Domestic card doesn't meet the standard."

Regional M&E contractor, Midlands

"Domestic apprentices often struggle with the site discipline required in commercial environments. They haven't been trained on permit-to-work systems, isolation procedures for complex panels, or coordination with other trades."

Industrial maintenance manager, Manufacturing sector

"The 5357 gives you versatility. We need electricians who can work on a house rewire Monday, a commercial office fit-out Tuesday, and factory maintenance Wednesday. Domestic-only limits our ability to deploy labour flexibly."

Multi-sector electrical contractor, South East

Graduate Outcomes

5357 Installation/Maintenance: 

  • Near 100% employment rate post-qualification 

  • Average 3-5 job offers upon completing AM2 

  • Ability to choose between PAYE stability and higher-earning CIS contract work 

  • Clear progression to testing roles, supervisory positions, specialist sectors 

5393 Domestic Electrician: 

  • Good employment in domestic sector (housing associations, small contractors) 

  • Limited mobility between employers due to restricted scope 

  • Difficulty accessing commercial roles without 5357 upgrade 

  • Career progression primarily through self-employment (starting own domestic business) 

Career Progression Pathways 

The long-term trajectory of each standard differs fundamentally. 

5393 Domestic Electrician Progression 

Typical career path: 

  • Years 1-3: Apprenticeship with domestic contractor or housing association 

  • Years 4-6: Qualified domestic electrician, building experience 

  • Years 7-10: Senior domestic electrician or team leader (domestic projects only) 

  • Years 10+: Self-employed domestic contractor or QS for Domestic Installer scheme 

Barriers to advancement: 

  • Cannot progress to commercial or industrial supervisory roles 

  • Cannot become QS on Approved Contractor schemes (requires full scope competence) 

  • Cannot access testing and inspection roles in commercial sector (C&G 2391 requires diverse experience) 

  • Cannot move into specialist sectors: EV infrastructure, solar farms, data centres, industrial maintenance, CompEx hazardous areas 

  • Earning ceiling around £40,000-£50,000 even with 20+ years experience 

The self-employment route: Many 5393 holders progress by starting their own domestic electrical businesses. This provides more earning potential (£45,000-£60,000+ possible with high workload and efficiency) but still restricts work to residential markets. Commercial tenders require Installation Electrician QS status, excluding domestic-only contractors. 

5357 Installation/Maintenance Progression 

Typical career path: 

  • Years 1-4: Apprenticeship across diverse environments 

  • Years 4-6: Qualified electrician, working across domestic, commercial, industrial 

  • Years 6-10: Pursuing specialist qualifications (C&G 2391, CompEx, EV, PV, HV awareness) 

  • Years 10-15: Approved Electrician, Supervisor, or moving into specialist sectors 

  • Years 15+: Project Manager, Contracts Manager, QS on Approved Contractor scheme, or specialist roles (£60,000-£85,000+) 

Advancement opportunities: 

  • JIB Approved Electrician status (with C&G 2391 + 2 years experience) 

  • Electrical Supervisor / Foreman roles 

  • Testing and Inspection Specialist (commercial landlord EICRs, periodic inspection contracts) 

  • EV Charging Infrastructure Specialist (commercial rapid charging hubs, fleet installations) 

  • Solar PV and Battery Storage Specialist (farms, commercial rooftops, grid-connected systems) 

  • CompEx certification for hazardous areas (oil & gas, chemical processing, pharmaceutical) – £60,000-£90,000+ roles 

  • High Voltage Authorised Person (with HV switching training) – £55,000-£75,000 

  • Building Management Systems (BMS) and controls engineering – £50,000-£70,000 

  • Data centre electrical maintenance – £50,000-£80,000 

  • Electrical Project Manager – £55,000-£85,000 

  • Electrical Contractor (self-employed with full scope capability) – £70,000-£120,000+ possible 

The key difference: The 5357 aligns with the entire JIB grading structure (Electrician → Approved Electrician → Technician → Design Technician), providing formal career progression with wage increases at each level. The 5393 exists outside this structure, creating a distinct lower-tier pathway. 

Future Industry Trends and Net Zero Implications 

The electrical industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by decarbonisation targets, and this significantly affects the value of each apprenticeship standard. 

Green Energy Infrastructure Demands 

Electric Vehicle (EV) charging: 

  • Domestic 7kW chargers: 5393 sufficient (with additional EV course) 

  • Commercial rapid charging hubs (50kW-350kW DC): Requires three-phase competence and commercial certification (5357 essential) 

  • Fleet charging installations: Three-phase distribution, load management systems (5357 essential) 

Heat pumps: 

  • Domestic air-source heat pumps: 5393 can install electrical side (single-phase) 

  • Commercial ground-source and air-source installations: Require integration with BMS, three-phase supplies, complex controls (5357 essential) 

  • Industrial heat recovery systems: Exclusively 5357 scope 

Solar PV and battery storage: 

  • Domestic rooftop PV (<4kW): 5393 can install with additional training 

  • Commercial rooftop and ground-mounted arrays: Three-phase grid connection, G99 compliance (5357 essential) 

  • Solar farms and community energy projects: Industrial-scale installations (5357 essential) 

The growth sectors: Government targets include 600,000 heat pump installations annually by 2028, 300,000 public EV charge points by 2030, and massive expansion of grid-connected renewable generation. The majority of this work falls outside 5393 scope. 

Building Safety Act and Competence Tightening 

Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Building Safety Act 2022 has dramatically increased scrutiny on competence verification. The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) is being tightened in 2025/26 consultations. 

Likely changes: 

  • Stricter evidence requirements for Domestic Electrician status 

  • Formal separation of Domestic QS from full Approved Contractor QS 

  • Increased emphasis on demonstrated competence across environments for Installation Electricians 

  • Potential restrictions on domestic-only electricians working in multi-occupancy buildings 

Industry direction: The electrical trade is formally bifurcating. “Domestic Electrician” is becoming a distinct, narrower specialisation (similar to a gas installer who only does domestic boilers versus a heating engineer who works across all sectors). The 5357 Installation/Maintenance Electrician remains the industry’s “full electrician” standard. 

What This Means for Apprenticeship Choices

If you’re deciding between these two standards, the choice depends entirely on your long-term goals and career expectations. 

Choose 5393 Domestic Electrician if: 

  • You’re certain you only want to work in residential properties 

  • You’re happy with an earning ceiling around £35,000-£40,000 (potentially £50,000-£60,000 self-employed with high volume domestic work) 

  • You want a shorter apprenticeship (3 years vs 4+ years) 

  • You plan to work for a housing association or small domestic contractor long-term 

  • You understand the limitations and accept you won’t access commercial, industrial, or specialist electrical sectors 

  • You’re willing to potentially restart training later if your goals change 

Critical consideration: Most 16-18 year olds choosing apprenticeships don’t yet know their full career preferences. The 5393 route closes doors that are extremely difficult to reopen later. 

Choose 5357 Installation/Maintenance if: 

  • You want the full scope of electrical work available to you 

  • You want access to commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects 

  • You want earning potential of £45,000-£65,000+ including specialist roles 

  • You value career flexibility and the ability to move between sectors 

  • You want the industry-standard Gold Card and JIB recognition 

  • You want access to growth sectors (EV infrastructure, solar, industrial automation, data centres) 

  • You want progression opportunities to supervisory, testing, and management roles 

  • You want to keep all options open while you decide which electrical sector you prefer 

The versatility argument: Even if you primarily enjoy domestic work after qualifying, the 5357 gives you that option while also keeping commercial and industrial routes available. The reverse (5393 upgrading to 5357) is structurally difficult and expensive. 

The Reality vs The Marketing 

Training providers, employers, and government guidance don’t always emphasise the long-term implications of choosing 5393 versus 5357. 

Common misconceptions

Misconception: “Both are Level 3, so they’re equivalent.” Reality: Level refers to complexity of learning, not scope of competence. A Level 3 in Dwellings is fundamentally different from Level 3 across all environments. 

Misconception: “You can easily upgrade from Domestic to Installation Electrician later.” Reality: The NVQ evidence barrier makes upgrading extremely difficult. You need commercial experience to qualify, but you can’t get commercial experience without qualifying. 

Misconception: “Domestic apprentices are employable everywhere.” Reality: Domestic apprentices are employable in the residential sector only. Commercial and industrial employers require 5357 + Gold Card as standard. 

Misconception: “The domestic route is faster, so you start earning sooner.” Reality: You start earning qualified rates one year earlier, but hit a permanent ceiling £10,000-£20,000 below 5357 holders within 5 years. 

Misconception: “All electrical work is the same once you’re qualified.” Reality: Competence, insurance, legal liability, and site access differ dramatically between the two standards. 

At Elec Training, we’re transparent about these differences. The 5393 route serves a genuine purpose for apprentices who are certain about residential-only careers. But for most people entering the electrical trade, the 5357 Installation/Maintenance standard provides the comprehensive training, legal competence, and career flexibility that leads to sustainable long-term employment across the full industry. 

We offer both pathways but recommend the 5357 route for apprentices who want maximum career options. Our placement network of 120+ UK contractors provides diverse work experience across domestic, commercial, and industrial environments, ensuring apprentices build comprehensive NVQ portfolios that lead to Installation Electrician Gold Cards and JIB grading. 

Looking for an electrician course uk? 

Call Us on 0330 822 5337 to discuss which apprenticeship standard matches your goals. We’ll explain exactly what each involves, the evidence requirements, progression pathways, earning potential at each stage, and what our placement team can do to ensure you build the portfolio needed for your chosen route. No misleading marketing. No hidden limitations. Just honest guidance on the two distinct electrical apprenticeship standards and what they actually lead to in the UK industry. 

Composite image showing electrician working across domestic, commercial, and industrial environments accessible with 5357 InstallationMaintenance qualification
The 5357 standard provides competence and career flexibility across all electrical environments, from domestic rewires to industrial motor installations

References

Note on Accuracy and Updates

Last reviewed: 13 December 2025. This page is maintained; we correct errors and refresh sources as apprenticeship standards, EAS requirements, JIB wage agreements, and electrical regulations change. All apprenticeship details cited reflect current Institute for Apprenticeships standards as of December 2025. Salary data reflects 2025 JIB wage agreements and ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings for electrical trades. Next review scheduled following EAS 2026 updates and any revisions to ST0539/ST0152 standards.

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Learners are Studying level 2 Electrician Course

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