Agree that a licence to practice is desirable. 
All of the guys I have on my current experienced worker cohort did not complete their formal apprenticeship qualifications but stayed in the industry nonetheless. While apprentices they were awarded £9000 to see them through. That was tax payers money which not put to best effect. Now they have to dig deep in their own pockets. Whilst I have sympathy, it serves as a solid warning to those younger apprentices who are currently enjoying a free passage through their training. Lads are earning 1500 euros a week on one large project in Dublin, it won’t take them too long to see payback. 
The scheme was developed by industry stakeholders, Certsure, NAPIT, ECA, ECS, ECS, TESP, NET, JIB, Unite and City and Guilds. It’s relatively new so it’s here to stay for a while. Lads and lassies (hopefully) will have to find funding from somewhere not least of all because my daily rate ain’t cheap! 

Luke,

See my post below re costs. I have candidates on the finishing line who started in February. I completed an exemplar logbook over one week so the time issue is firmly in the court of the candidate, at least in our centre.

I appreciate that, but still too long and costly for an electrician who has started on his own after working for other firms with previously acceptable qualifications. Whatever time the course takes, plus the process of joining a scheme. In a perfect world, these guys would achieve any qualifications whilst still gainfully employed, however some might be made redundant, or have another genuine reason that's left them starting up on their own.

Any of those stakeholders a non-profit organisation with a genuine concern for the industry? 

Just because there is a chance for the lads to earn 1500€ a week, doesn't mean that money is there to be taken from their pockets. From that 1500€, I'm guessing they need vans, tools, insurance, digs, meals. This is the same for everyone! As much as the tradesman world think all sparkles are raking it in, there must be a good percentage who can't afford to prove themselves again to an organisation who has come in, deemed their existing qualifications worthless and set new boundaries.

Just out of interest, how much flexibility do the schemes have with regards to the EAS qualification guide? The guidance document states it is not exhaustive, and any qualifications not on the list can be referred to the scheme etc, but the schemes don't seem to be risk averse enough to take matters into their own hands if competence is proven.

I'd assume there is more to it that this, else there would be incidents of electricians gaining access to the scheme without the latest qualifications stated.

lyledunn said:

Now they have to dig deep in their own pockets. Whilst I have sympathy, it serves as a solid warning to those younger apprentices who are currently enjoying a free passage through their training. Lads are earning 1500 euros a week on one large project in Dublin, it won’t take them too long to see payback. 

Hang on ... we are also talking about some people who already did apprenticeships, and saw them through, but their older qualifications or apprenticeship no longer being considered "acceptable" somehow?

Graham,

I stood in many classes over the years and warned the guys to keep their cards up to date whether employed or self-employed. It was clear that the JIB  card was effectively becoming a crucial must-have for the installation operative irrespective of employment status. I warned those who had older qualifications to make application for the card before the scheme set out different criteria. Many failed to heed the warnings and so they pay the penalty. Tough!

Whilst I'd agree to a point, it doesn't make it right.

In addition, now we have AM2E, I wonder how long it will be until that those who can't demonstrate they ever had AM2, have to get AM2E before they can renew their card?

So what do folk get for an amount of money that would buy about 8 weeks course fees at a university?

It seems to me that the discussion is not over the technical merit of some refresher course, but the financial value of it

M

Without a doubt they are being completed fraudulently.  There are places on-line that will complete the portfolio on your behalf.  Whilst a small minority of NVQs, the AM2 is just an assurance tool.  

I have been doing this for over 20 years and ever since I started, industry has been making excuses for those that qualified pre-NVQ3.  The NVQ3 has been with us for over 30 years and at some stage we have to say no more to grandfather rights.

Just because someone was deemed competent does not make that so.  Look at the removal of the Domestic Installer route.