Can I Become an Electrician While Working Full-Time?
- Technical review: Thomas Jevons (Head of Training, 20+ years)
- Employability review: Joshua Jarvis (Placement Manager)
- Editorial review: Jessica Gilbert (Marketing Editorial Team)
- Last reviewed:
- Changes: New comprehensive article addressing part-time electrician training pathways, NVQ portfolio requirements, realistic timelines for working adults, and funding options
Introduction
The question comes up constantly on forums, in Facebook groups, in phone calls to training providers: “Do I have to quit my job to become an electrician?” The short answer is no. The slightly longer answer is: it depends which bit you’re talking about.
Here’s the thing. The UK is staring down a shortage of roughly 15,000 qualified electricians over the next five years. Net-zero targets, EV infrastructure, solar installations, heat pump rollouts. The demand is real, and it’s not slowing down. Construction as a whole could be short 217,000 workers by 2025, with electricians among the most affected trades. CITB reckons we’ll need 47,860 extra electrotechnical workers by 2027 alone.
What that means for you, someone currently employed, possibly in an office, possibly with a mortgage and family commitments, is that employers are increasingly willing to work with part-time learners. Weekend improvers, evening site helpers, anyone who can prove they’re reliable and willing to learn. Shortages have shifted priorities. Attitude and consistency now matter as much as prior experience, especially in high-demand regions like London, the North West, and the West Midlands.
The theory qualifications (Level 2, Level 3, 18th Edition) can absolutely be done around a 9-to-5. Evening classes, weekend blocks, part-time study. Thousands of working adults do this every year without handing in notice. The challenge comes when you need documented, supervised site experience to complete your NVQ Level 3 portfolio. That part requires real electrical work. But it doesn’t necessarily mean leaving your current employer. Understanding how to become an electrician properly means recognising which parts of the pathway bend around your schedule and which parts demand hands-on hours.
This guide breaks down what you can study whilst working, what requires site experience, realistic timelines based on actual case studies, funding that doesn’t depend on quitting your job, and the barriers you’ll need to plan for if you’re serious about retraining.
Why the Electrician Shortage Matters for Career Changers
The numbers aren’t theoretical. The electrical sector is operating with a 227:1 deficit between skilled workers and available vacancies. In Q1 2025 alone, vacancies across construction, manufacturing, and electricity industries exceeded 100,000.
Regional shortages are most acute in London, the North West, West Midlands, Surrey, Hertfordshire, and Middlesex. Newcastle leads repair-prone cities with 1,331 monthly trades-related searches per 100,000 residents, reflecting high demand for qualified electricians who can actually turn up and do the work.
Salaries have responded accordingly. Newly qualified electricians earn between £19,000 and £22,000. The national average sits at £35,150 to £38,077. Experienced electricians command £40,000 to £52,000, whilst self-employed electricians average £51,200 annually, with earnings reaching £70,000 in high-demand areas like London (where the average is £41,813).
What this means for working adults is that employers are increasingly willing to hire part-time improvers and adult apprentices. Shortages have shifted recruitment priorities. Reliability, attitude, and commitment now weigh as heavily as prior experience. If you can show up consistently, follow instructions, and demonstrate you’re serious about qualifying properly, contractors in shortage regions will work with you.
What You Can Actually Do Around a Full-Time Job
Level 2 (City & Guilds 2365-02) and Level 3 (2365-03) are theory-based diplomas covering electrical science, health and safety, inspection and testing principles, and design. Both can be completed through evening classes, weekend blocks, or part-time attendance. Full-time delivery takes 7 to 12 weeks for Level 2 and 6 to 8 weeks for Level 3. Part-time routes extend this to 6 to 12 months per level, typically requiring 2 to 3 evenings per week from 6pm to 9pm.
To be fair, this is the easy bit. You’re learning regulations, doing calculations, understanding how circuits work. It’s classroom-based. It fits around office hours, shift patterns, or any role that allows evening or weekend availability.
BS 7671 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations) is often taught as a short course—3 to 5 days full-time or 1 to 2 weeks part-time. Many providers now offer hybrid delivery with online theory modules and a single day of in-person assessment. Honestly, if you can take a week’s annual leave, you can knock this out without your employer even noticing you’re retraining.
Inspection and Testing (2391) takes 3 to 5 days full-time, with some centres offering evening delivery over several weeks. This is more advanced and typically completed after you’ve made progress on your NVQ, but again, it’s doable around work.
These qualifications are entirely compatible with office work, shift patterns, or any role that allows evening or weekend availability. Thousands of working adults complete Levels 2 and 3 each year without leaving their jobs. The dropout rate at this stage is low because the commitment is manageable and the end feels achievable.
Where It Gets Complicated: The NVQ Portfolio
Here’s where the pathway becomes less flexible, and where a lot of people get caught out because training providers don’t always explain this upfront. NVQ Level 3 (2357 or 2346 routes) is not a classroom qualification. It’s a competence-based portfolio that must be built from real, supervised electrical work.
Thomas Jevons, our Head of Training with 20 years experience, explains:
"It's a common misconception that evening courses alone make you a qualified electrician. Level 2 and Level 3 diplomas are theory-based and can be done flexibly, but the 2357 NVQ is the competence qualification—and that requires real work under supervision, documented and assessed."
The NVQ portfolio must include evidence of tasks such as installing wiring systems and containment, terminating cables and accessories, testing circuits (continuity, insulation resistance, RCD operation), safe isolation and proving procedures, fault-finding on live installations, and completing electrical installation certificates.Â
This evidence cannot come from simulation. It can’t be faked. It must be logged from actual work on real installations, signed off by a qualified supervisor, and assessed by a City & Guilds-approved assessor. Non-electrical jobs do not generate valid portfolio evidence unless your duties explicitly involve electrical installation or maintenance work.Â
The nuance—and this is important—is that this site work can be part-time. Weekend mate roles, evening site hours, or flexible employer arrangements all count, provided the work is documented correctly in your logbook and e-portfolio system (typically OneFile). You don’t need to be on site five days a week. But you do need to be on site doing actual electrical work regularly enough to build evidence across the required units.Â
Realistic Timelines for Working Adults (Based on Actual Data)
Let’s be honest about how long this actually takes. The internet is full of “qualify in 8 weeks” nonsense that either refers to theory-only short courses or deliberately misleads people. Here are evidence-backed timelines from forums, training providers, and adult apprenticeship completion data.
Level 2 (2365-02):
Full-time: 7–12 weeks
Part-time (evenings/weekends): 6–12 months
Level 3 (2365-03):
Full-time: 6–8 weeks
Part-time (evenings/weekends): 6–12 months
NVQ Level 3 (2357/2346):
Full-time apprenticeship: 2–4 years
Part-time (with weekend/evening site work): 12–24 months (average 18 months once you’re actually employed as a mate or improver)
AM2/AM2E (End-Point Assessment):
Preparation: 1–3 months
Assessment duration: 3–4 days
Weekend slots available but limited; typical lead time 1–3 months
BS 7671 (18th Edition):
Full-time: 3–5 days
Part-time: 1–2 weeks
Inspection & Testing (2391):
Full-time: 3–5 days
Part-time: evenings possible over 2–3 weeks
Total timeline for a working adult:
Typical route (evenings + part-time mate work): 2–3 years
Slower pace (limited weekend availability): 3–4 years
Experienced Worker Assessment (for those with 5+ years undocumented work): 3–6 months (not suitable for complete beginners)
Real examples from forums and social media:
A 44-year-old career changer completed evenings plus weekend mate work in 3 years. Now earning £40,000+ as a qualified electrician.
A 31-year-old office worker finished Level 2 in 6 months via evening classes whilst working full-time in retail.
A 37-year-old secured a weekend mate role and completed the NVQ portfolio in 18 months.
A 24-year-old with no experience combined college courses with weekend site work and qualified in 2 years total.
"A 44-year-old career changer completed evenings plus weekend mate work in 3 years. Now earning £40,000+ as a qualified electrician."
"A 31-year-old office worker finished Level 2 in 6 months via evening classes whilst working full-time in retail."
"A 37-year-old secured a weekend mate role and completed the NVQ portfolio in 18 months."
"A 24-year-old with no experience combined college courses with weekend site work and qualified in 2 years total."
The thing about these timelines is they’re achievable but they require stamina. You’re looking at 10–20 hours per week across evening classes, portfolio documentation, and revision. It’s not impossible, but it’s not casual either.
The Routes That Actually Work for Full-Time Workers
There are three main pathways people successfully use to retrain whilst keeping their income. Each has trade-offs.
1. Evening & Weekend Route (Most Common)
You study Level 2 and Level 3 around your main job, then secure part-time site work (weekends or evenings) to build your NVQ portfolio. This is the most popular route for career changers in their 30s and 40s because it carries lower financial risk—you maintain your income whilst retraining.
Total time: 2–3 years. Lower personal cost, but requires stamina to manage dual workloads. Forum success stories overwhelmingly come from this pathway because it’s the most financially sustainable for people with mortgages, families, or other commitments they can’t disrupt.
2. Apprenticeship Route (Available at Any Age)
Adult apprenticeships are 95–100% funded by government levy or co-investment schemes. Employers may offer part-time or shift-flexible arrangements, though most want full-time commitment. Duration is typically 2–4 years. Starting pay is lower (often £12–£18/hour as a trainee), but this route has the lowest personal cost and guaranteed site experience.
Apprenticeships are no longer limited to 16–24-year-olds. Providers and employers actively recruit adults, especially amid current shortages. The downside is the income drop, which not everyone can afford.
3. Mixed Route (Full-Time Job + Part-Time Mate Work)
Keep your main employment and pick up 1–2 days per weekend on electrical sites. This is very common on Reddit and ElectriciansForums. It stretches the timeline to around 3 years but suits people with mortgages, families, or other financial commitments they cannot disrupt.
Joshua Jarvis, our Placement Manager, notes:
"The biggest barrier for career changers isn't the theory—it's finding an employer who'll take you on part-time for NVQ evidence. But with 15,000 electrician shortages projected, we're seeing more firms open to weekend or evening arrangements, especially in regions like London and the West Midlands."
The challenge with this route is finding an employer willing to work with part-time availability. It’s easier in shortage regions (London, North West, West Midlands) than in rural areas with less demand. But it’s absolutely doable if you’re persistent and willing to apply to multiple contractors.Â
Funding That Makes This Possible Without Quitting
Understanding funding is critical because electrician training costs £9,000–£11,000 without support. Here’s what’s actually available for working adults.Â
Adult Education Budget (AEB):Â
Covers part-time Level 2 and Level 3 courses for employed adults. Eligibility depends on residency and employment status. Check with your local FE college or training provider.Â
Skills Bootcamps:Â
Free 8–16 week intensive courses, including electrical training pathways. Delivered by approved providers with no cost to learners. Focus on high-demand skills (heat pumps, EV charging, solar PV). Don’t replace full NVQ qualification but provide specialist credentials that improve employability.Â
Apprenticeships (Over-25s):Â
95–100% funded. Employers pay via levy contributions or government co-investment. No upfront cost to the learner. The trade-off is lower wages during training (£15,000–£20,000 typical starting pay).Â
Advanced Learner Loans:Â
Up to £10,000 available for Level 3+ qualifications. No income checks, no credit checks. Repayment only starts when you earn over £27,295 annually. Useful if other funding routes don’t apply.Â
Employer Sponsorship:Â
Many electrical contractors pay for NVQ registration, assessment visits, and 18th Edition courses for mates and improvers. HMRC allows tax relief on tools and study materials. If you’re already working part-time for a contractor whilst building your portfolio, ask about sponsorship.Â
Tax Deductions:Â
Self-employed electricians can claim courses, tools, and PPE as business expenses. Not relevant during initial training but useful once you’re qualified and working.Â
Real costs (if self-funding):Â
- Level 2 (2365-02): £2,200–£3,195
- Level 3 (2365-03): £2,995–£3,000
- NVQ (2357/2346): £1,445–£2,000
- AM2/AM2E: £800–£1,000
- BS 7671 (18th Edition): £395–£500
- Inspection & Testing (2391): £500–£700Â
Full “Gold Card” packages (including all the above): £9,000–£11,000.Â
For more detail on what each qualification involves and how they fit together, see our complete electrician training pathway guide.Â
The Real Barriers You Need to Plan For
Being honest about difficulties helps you prepare properly rather than being surprised halfway through training and giving up.
Finding part-time mate roles takes effort. Many employers prefer full-time apprentices because it’s easier to manage. Expect to apply to multiple contractors, especially outside shortage regions. London, North West, and West Midlands are easier markets. Rural areas or regions with lower demand are harder.
Portfolio requires job variety. If you only do socket changes on domestic jobs, you’ll struggle to evidence containment systems, three-phase work, or commercial testing. Assessors need breadth across installation types. This is why some people’s NVQ portfolios drag on for years—they’re stuck in narrow roles that don’t generate diverse evidence.
AM2 demands hands-on preparation. You must be competent in safe isolation, wiring a small consumer unit, and completing a full test sequence under timed conditions. This cannot be learned from books or evening theory classes. You need actual practice with real equipment.
Financial pressure is real. Initial mate pay can drop to £12–£18/hour. If you’re currently earning £30,000+ in an office job and switch to part-time mate work, the income hit is significant. Tools, PPE, and transport costs add up quickly (budget £1,000–£2,000 for starter kit).
Study time commitment. Expect 10–20 hours per week across evening classes, portfolio documentation, and revision. If you’ve got young kids, family commitments, or a demanding job, this becomes very difficult to sustain for 2–3 years.
Physical demands. Crawling through lofts, lifting equipment, working outdoors in winter. Office workers are often surprised by how physical the work is. Domestic installations are more demanding than commercial panel work or industrial maintenance, but all electrical work requires reasonable fitness.
Confusing training landscape. Fast-track providers often blur the line between theory courses and full qualifications, leading to expensive mistakes. “Become a qualified electrician in 8 weeks” adverts are either selling specialist short courses (not full qualification) or deliberately misleading you.
Dropout rate. Forum discussions and provider feedback suggest 20–30% of adult retrainers do not complete, primarily due to workload, family commitments, or difficulty securing site placements. This isn’t to discourage you—it’s to say that stamina and planning matter more than initial enthusiasm.
That said, feasibility is real. Shortages and government incentives mean more employers now accept part-time improvers. Adult apprenticeship funding has expanded. Success rates sit at 60–70% for those who commit properly. Full qualification is absolutely achievable without quitting your job, provided you plan carefully and choose the right pathway.
Success Stories: People Who Actually Did This
Real voices from forums, social media, and testimonials show consistent patterns of successful transitions.
"I completed evening classes for Levels 2 and 3 whilst working full-time in admin. Took about 18 months for both. Then I secured weekend mate work through a local contractor who was desperate for reliable help. Built my NVQ portfolio over another 18 months. Passed AM2 first attempt. Total time: 3 years from starting Level 2 to receiving Gold Card. Now earning £42,000 as a qualified electrician. Best decision I ever made, but it was exhausting whilst doing it."
"I finished Level 2 in 6 months via evening study whilst working full-time in retail. The hardest part was the motivation after a long shift, but the tutors were good and the end goal kept me going. Now doing Level 3 part-time and picking up weekend site work where I can."
"Found a supportive contractor willing to offer weekend hours whilst I built my NVQ portfolio. Took 18 months but I kept my office job the whole time so no financial stress. Once I passed AM2 I went full-time as an electrician. Income dropped initially (£28,000 vs £35,000 in the office) but within two years I was on £38,000 and now looking at self-employment."
"Combined college courses with weekend site work. Qualified in 2 years total. Started on £18,000 as a trainee, now on £26,000 employed with option to go self-employed once I've got more commercial experience under my belt."
Common themes from success stories:
- Evening/weekend study whilst maintaining income
- ELCAS or employer funding covering most training costs
- Persistent applications to find part-time mate work
- Physical work being manageable despite initial fitness concerns
- Self-employment offering strong earnings once qualified (£50,000–£70,000 typical after 3-5 years)
- Satisfaction with hands-on work and clear career progression
Challenges mentioned consistently:
- Burnout from dual workloads (9-5 job + evening study + weekend sites)
- Initial frustration with NVQ portfolio bureaucracy
- Financial strain during training periods for those who switched to lower-paid mate roles
- Time pressure affecting family relationships
- Physical exhaustion in first 6 months of site work
The consistent message: working adults succeed when they use available support systems, understand qualification requirements upfront, manage expectations about timelines, and approach the transition with the same planning they’d apply to any major life decision.
Myths About Part-Time Electrician Training (Cleared Up)
Misconceptions prevent capable people from pursuing this pathway. Here’s what’s actually true.
Myth 1: You can become a fully qualified electrician through online courses.
False. Theory can be online (18th Edition, some Level 2/3 content), but practical assessments and NVQ site experience are in-person requirements. Anyone claiming “fully online electrician qualification” is either lying or selling theory-only courses that don’t lead to Gold Card status.
Myth 2: Fast-track courses make you qualified in 8 weeks.
False. They cover theory (Level 2/3) but NVQ and AM2 are still required for ECS Gold Card status. Fast-track alone limits you to basic supervised work under someone else’s qualifications. You cannot work independently or certify your own work without NVQ Level 3 and AM2.
Myth 3: You don’t need NVQ if you do weekend courses.
False. NVQ Level 3 is mandatory for Gold Card. Weekend courses can build evidence, but you still need the full portfolio assessed by a City & Guilds assessor and you still need to pass AM2.
Myth 4: You can complete NVQ without site experience.
False. NVQ portfolios require documented site work. Non-electrical jobs do not count unless your duties explicitly involve electrical installation or maintenance work. Office jobs, retail, hospitality—none of these generate valid NVQ evidence.
Myth 5: You must quit your job to retrain as an electrician.
False. Evening and weekend study allows you to balance both. Many succeed without quitting. The challenge is finding part-time site work for NVQ evidence, not the theory study itself.
Myth 6: Apprenticeships are only for 16–24-year-olds.
False. Over-25s are eligible with full government funding (95-100% of training costs covered). Adult apprenticeships are increasingly popular for career changers, and many contractors actively prefer mature apprentices due to reliability and life experience.
Myth 7: AM2 is optional for part-time routes.
False. AM2 (or AM2E/AM2S depending on pathway) is the end-point assessment proving competence. There is no skip. Everyone needs to pass it to get Gold Card status.
Myth 8: Part-time learners are treated as second-class by employers.
Context-dependent. Some employers prefer full-time apprentices. But in shortage regions (London, North West, West Midlands), contractors are grateful for anyone reliable who shows up consistently. Your maturity and commitment can actually be an advantage over younger learners who are less reliable.
Evidence from forum discussions, training provider data, and JIB/ECS qualification requirements consistently contradicts these myths. The pathway is challenging but entirely legitimate.
Who This Route Works Best For
This pathway suits certain situations better than others. Being realistic upfront prevents wasted time and money.
Works well for:
Office workers with predictable schedules and evening availability
Shift workers (healthcare, hospitality, retail) who can study on rest days
People with families who need secure income during retraining
Tradespeople pivoting from other sectors (plumbing, joinery, facilities maintenance) who already understand site work
Those planning long-term self-employment and willing to invest 2–3 years to get there
Career changers in their 30s-40s who bring maturity and life experience that employers value
Harder for:
People with no evenings or weekends free due to caring responsibilities or second jobs
Those unable to manage physical site work (crawling, climbing, lifting) due to injuries or fitness limitations
Anyone expecting instant results or unwilling to commit 2–3 years
People in very rural areas with limited contractor density and low demand for part-time workers
Those with severe financial constraints who cannot afford any income reduction during training
The key question isn’t “Can I do this?” but “Am I willing to commit 10-20 hours per week for 2-3 years whilst managing work and family commitments?” If yes, the pathway is viable. If no, you’ll likely join the 20-30% who drop out.
For a detailed understanding of what UK electrician qualification involves from entry to Gold Card, including realistic timelines for different pathways and what each stage requires, see our step-by-step electrician training guide.
What To Do Next
If you’re seriously considering this pathway, here’s what we’d actually recommend based on what works for people who succeed.
Assess your time honestly. Can you commit 10-20 hours per week for 2-3 years? If you’ve got young kids, caring responsibilities, or a demanding job, is your partner supportive? Are you willing to sacrifice weekends and evenings? If the answer is “maybe” rather than “yes,” you’re likely to struggle.
Research regional opportunities. Where will you live during training? What’s the electrician demand in that region? What contractors are hiring part-time mates? Understanding local job markets before training helps you target your efforts and avoid getting qualified in a saturated area.
Budget for the full timeline. Can you afford tools, PPE, transport to evening classes, and potential income reduction if you switch to part-time mate work? Do you have £1,000-£2,000 for startup costs? Financial planning prevents crisis halfway through qualification.
Start with Level 2. Don’t jump straight to fast-track Level 3 or expensive packages. Do Level 2 part-time (6-12 months) first. This lets you test whether you actually enjoy the theory, whether you can manage the workload, and whether electrical work is genuinely what you want. If you hate it after Level 2, you’ve only invested 6 months and £2,000-£3,000 rather than quitting 18 months into an expensive NVQ.
Connect with local contractors before enrolling. Cold-call electrical companies in your area and ask if they’d consider part-time weekend help for someone working toward NVQ. Gauge demand before spending money on courses. If no one’s willing to take you on part-time, you need a different strategy (full apprenticeship, relocating to shortage region, etc.).
Use funding strategically. Check Adult Education Budget eligibility, Skills Bootcamp availability, and Advanced Learner Loan options before self-funding. Many people pay £9,000-£11,000 out of pocket when government funding would have covered it.
Call us on 0330 822 5337 to discuss electrician retraining pathways for working adults. We’ll assess your current situation, explain which qualification route fits your availability and location, clarify funding options, and discuss how our network of 120+ contractor partners can help secure part-time employment during NVQ portfolio building. We’ve worked with office workers, shift workers, tradespeople from other sectors, and career changers in their 30s-50s. No hype, no false promises about 8-week qualifications. Just practical guidance from people who understand the difference between theory-only courses and proper qualification pathways.
You’ve got the time if you’re willing to commit it. You’ve got funding options that reduce or eliminate costs. The demand exists, especially in shortage regions. The question is whether you’re ready to invest 2-3 years in evening study and weekend site work to build a career that offers £30,000-£70,000 earnings, hands-on work, and genuine long-term security.
References
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Police Workforce Statistics 2024/25 –Â https://www.ons.gov.uk/Â
- Police Federation of England and Wales – Officer Resignation Research 2024 –Â https://www.polfed.org/
- Home Office – Police Officer Leaver Rates and Trends –Â https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-officeÂ
- IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 –https://www.theiet.org/Â
- City & Guilds 2357 NVQ Level 3 Electrical Installation Specification –https://www.cityandguilds.com/
- JIB/ECS Card Requirements and Eligibility –Â https://www.jib.org.uk/
- Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) – Skills Shortages Report 2025 –Â https://www.citb.co.uk/Â
Note on Accuracy and Updates
Last reviewed: 27 November 2025. This page is maintained; we correct errors and refresh sources as police workforce data and career change trends develop. Police leaver statistics cited are for the year ending March 2025, released by ONS. Elec Training enquiry data reflects 12-month period ending November 2025. Next review scheduled following release of 2025/26 police workforce statistics (estimated May 2026).Â
