Self employed Electrician set up query

Mr Deep


I did the C&G course in 2014 but did not do the project so never did get that certificate. I re-did the course recently in 2019 - AND the project - but because of corona have not bothered to do the black card bit. In general though the black card will probably be unnecessary for my work and only for my own ego; I have been an NICEIC AC for 11 years with my own company and generally that is enough for any of the commercial contracts that I am chasing. (I am a one man band really having had a couple of apprentices that I have taken through to qualified & I use a couple of self employed sparks to help out on a project by project basis when necessary).


The only time I've really really needed the JIB part (ECS Card) was on the really big construction sites when this comes into its own. No card no job.

I was doing installation work for a BMS controls company and did not have a JIB card, so lost out on a £55 000 contract to install part of the BMS System. (At the London College of Arts behind Kings Cross, London, Base build) - 6 weeks later I was back on the job commissioning the installed works when there was pressure to complete and I spent the next 6 weeks there. UNBELIEVABLE....... All it took was the threat that they were not going to complete unless they allowed this NICEIC AC and his team on site, someone signed off, and we were working on day rates. Pity about the contractural work though - that was done by others. 


We all had Green CSCS Cards.


Very definitely consider doing the green CSCS card - it's for site labourers but it gets you on sites and shows a modicum of health and safety knowledge. 


I have been able to, on occasion,  combine my NICEIC AC bit with the green card and get on sites to do work. The NICEIC bit proves competence enough to those issuing the work and the CSCS bit proves some level of health and safety knowledge. 

Mr Deep


I did the C&G course in 2014 but did not do the project so never did get that certificate. I re-did the course recently in 2019 - AND the project - but because of corona have not bothered to do the black card bit. In general though the black card will probably be unnecessary for my work and only for my own ego; I have been an NICEIC AC for 11 years with my own company and generally that is enough for any of the commercial contracts that I am chasing. (I am a one man band really having had a couple of apprentices that I have taken through to qualified & I use a couple of self employed sparks to help out on a project by project basis when necessary).


The only time I've really really needed the JIB part (ECS Card) was on the really big construction sites when this comes into its own. No card no job.

I was doing installation work for a BMS controls company and did not have a JIB card, so lost out on a £55 000 contract to install part of the BMS System. (At the London College of Arts behind Kings Cross, London, Base build) - 6 weeks later I was back on the job commissioning the installed works when there was pressure to complete and I spent the next 6 weeks there. UNBELIEVABLE....... All it took was the threat that they were not going to complete unless they allowed this NICEIC AC and his team on site, someone signed off, and we were working on day rates. Pity about the contractural work though - that was done by others. 


We all had Green CSCS Cards.


Very definitely consider doing the green CSCS card - it's for site labourers but it gets you on sites and shows a modicum of health and safety knowledge. 


I have been able to, on occasion,  combine my NICEIC AC bit with the green card and get on sites to do work. The NICEIC bit proves competence enough to those issuing the work and the CSCS bit proves some level of health and safety knowledge.