Skilled trades — electrician, plumber, builder

Updated: 12 April 2026

In short

In the UK you can work with your hands and earn good money. Electricians earn from £35K per year. No university needed. City & Guilds + CSCS card = ready to work. College training is free for refugees.

£35K+

Electrician

salary per year

1-2 years

Training

at college

CSCS

Site access

card for work

£0

Training

for refugees

⚡ How to become an electrician — step by step

Electrician is one of the highest-paid trades in the UK. The path takes 2-3 years.

City & Guilds 2365 — Level 2

Basic electrical course. Learn the basics: wires, circuits, safety. Takes 6-12 months at college. City & Guilds is the organisation that awards trade qualifications in the UK.

City & Guilds 2365 — Level 3

Advanced course. Electrical system design, inspection and testing. Another 1-2 years. After this you know the theory.

18th Edition (BS 7671)

Mandatory exam on wiring regulations. BS 7671 is the "electrician's bible" in the UK. The exam takes 1-2 days. Without it you cannot work independently.

NVQ Level 3 — practical work

NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) is a hands-on qualification. You work on real sites and an assessor checks your work. Takes 1-2 years. After NVQ you are a qualified electrician.

🔧 How to become a plumber — step by step

Plumbers earn £30K-£45K. The path is shorter than for electricians — 1-2 years.

City & Guilds 6035 — Level 2 Plumbing

Basic plumbing course. Pipes, boilers, bathrooms, radiators. 6-12 months at college. Free for refugees.

Level 3 Plumbing + Gas Safe (optional)

Advanced level. If you want to work with gas (boilers, cookers) — you need Gas Safe registration. This is a separate course and exam. With Gas Safe your salary is much higher.

NVQ + CSCS card — start working

Get NVQ Level 2-3 through practical work on real sites. Pass the CITB test and get your CSCS card. Now you can work on any construction site.

🪪 CSCS card — what it is and how to get one

CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) is a site access card. Without it you cannot enter most construction sites in the UK.

Card colour	Level	What you need
🟢 Green	Labourer	CITB test only
🔴 Red	Trainee	College enrolment + test
🔵 Blue	Skilled worker	NVQ Level 2+
🟡 Gold	Advanced	NVQ Level 3+
⚫ Black	Manager	NVQ Level 6+

💡 How to pass the CITB test

Computer-based test. 50 questions about safety on construction sites. Costs £22.50. Available in different languages (but not Russian). Book at: citb.co.uk. The card costs another £36.

📍 Where to study

FE colleges (Further Education)

Government-funded colleges for adults. Training is free for refugees. Search at gov.uk/further-education-courses. Examples: City of Bristol College, Lewisham College, Leeds City College.

Private training providers

Intensive courses that take 3-6 months. Cost £1,000-£5,000. Examples: Trade Skills 4U, Access Training, Able Skills. Good if you want to qualify faster.

Frequently asked questions

How much does training cost?

If you have refugee status or Humanitarian Protection, training at an FE college (Further Education college — a government-funded college for adults) is FREE. You qualify for the Adult Education Budget. Private courses cost £1,000-£5,000, but at college it is £0.

How long does it take to become an electrician?

About 2-3 years in total. Level 2 takes around 1 year. Level 3 is another 1-2 years. The 18th Edition exam takes 1-2 days. NVQ Level 3 takes 1-2 years alongside work. You can speed this up by studying full-time.

Can asylum seekers study trade courses?

Yes! Asylum seekers (people waiting for a decision on their claim) CAN study at college. Courses up to Level 2 are free. To work on construction sites you need permission to work — this is given after 12 months of waiting for a decision on your claim.

How much do tradespeople earn in the UK?

Electrician: £35,000-£50,000 per year. Plumber: £30,000-£45,000. Builder: £25,000-£40,000. Self-employed tradespeople earn more — some electricians make £60,000+. This is MORE than many office jobs.

What is a CSCS card and why do I need one?

CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) is a site access card. Without it, you CANNOT enter most construction sites. You need to pass the CITB Health & Safety test (a computer-based test, available in different languages). It costs £22.50 for the test + £36 for the card.

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