15 July 2024 12:09 am Views - 33
The novel national programme series to ensure the electricians who are ACL Power Pack Members are equipped with enhanced skillsets, contributing to their personal growth and the industry by obtaining the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 4 certification, has to-date been initiated at 32 Vocational Training Authority (VTA) institutions across the island.
ACL Cables partnered the VTA to ensure electrical technicians islandwide are awarded the NVQ Level 4 certification.
Currently, more than 500 electricians have successfully completed the NVQ4 qualification and more than three hundred individuals are presently studying the NVQ4 course.
The ACL Power Pack Electricians Association has more than 15,000 electricians registered and is currently working towards providing NVQ4 for them as soon as possible.
The course has been conducted for the past three years and usually covers one hundred and fifty hours and held on Sundays for 25 days at the designated Vocational Training Centres.
Only thirty electricians are selected per course and priority will be given to electricians with more than five years of experience in this course.
Noteworthy, the entire scope of NVQ4 is covered including programmable logic controllers (PLC) with and motor controlling. However, if they have acquired the necessary practical training over the years will ensure it is easier for them to obtain NVQ4.
Importantly, based on the gazette and Engineering Council Act, with effect from January 1, 2026, it is mandatory for individuals who practice as electricians to possess a minimum qualification of NVQ Level 3.
Furthermore, commencing from January 1, 2030 onwards, the minimum qualification required for the practice of electrician, an individual must possess the NVQ Level 4 certification. Lack of the NVQ qualification will prevent an electrician engaging in the profession.
Cities where courses have been held so far include Colombo, Kandy, Gampaha, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Ampara, Ratnapura, Matara, Galle, Horana, Tangalle, Embilipitiya and Hatton. The total number of 800 students have participated in the programme at these venues.
As solar power systems gain momentum, ACL Power Pack Club has also begun three programmes to provide solar energy-allied knowledge for electricians as part of the NVQ4 curriculum.