How hard is it to become Part P certified?

[NotHimAgain]

NAPIT started life just registering 'electrical inspectors'. Initially they did not complete directly with the NICEIC, i.e. they did not register contractors, they registered individual inspectors.

John Andrews originally formed NAPIT because he could not persuade the NICEIC to register individual inspectors - just for inspection. The NICEIC always had a 'Defined Approval' for inspection and testing but this related to companies, not individuals.

The original idea was to try and create a 'third party' inspectorate.

I worked for NAPIT in its formative years but what you now have is a totally different organisation. Once it decided to become a Competent Persons Scheme it had to change.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It didn't have to change - the people in charge could have decided not to behave so despicably.

 

[NotHimAgain]

There is nothing despicable about it. The NICEIC have operate such a scheme for years, it simply reflects the employment structure and economics of the industry. The only way registering all works is if all companies only employ very small numbers of personnel.

If the government of the day wants to hide the cost of its hair brained schemes and will not pay to operate a proper licensing system what do you expect.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Individual registration always worked for gas.

 

[NotHimAgain]

CORGI registered companies and then had requirements for staff training - CORGI was actually modeled on the NICEIC but with some changes.

The first thing the Government said when the NICEIC finally joined the discussions was - we don't want another CORGI.

They also didn't want to follow any of the licensing systems in use around the world either.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

OK - yes - they did register companies, but every individual had to be properly qualified.

 

[NotHimAgain]

All of the bodies say that but there is no way you can ensure that only qualified operatives will be used.

The only effective answer would be to restrict access to the trade and license all operatives.

This would not prevent 'unauthorised' trading but it would allow a basis for it to be made illegal.

Note that I am not making any comments about DIY here - there is no reason why that should not co-exist with a regulated industry. New Zealand probably has one of the best models at the moment.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

All of the bodies say that but there is no way you can ensure that only qualified operatives will be used.[/quite]
There are ways - you just need the will to implement them.

The only effective answer would be to restrict access to the trade and license all operatives.

Shouldn't be too hard.

This would not prevent 'unauthorised' trading but it would allow a basis for it to be made illegal.

Unlike the provision of goods and services such as drugs and prostitution, there would be a legal way to carry out electrical installation work. Make the costs of being caught doing or procuring illegal work high enough, and the illegal traders will simply disappear.