October 2026 might sound like a long way off. It is not.

From 1 October 2026, changes to the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification will place greater focus on individual competence across the UK electrical industry.

For electricians, contractors, subcontractors and electrical businesses, this means one thing: you need to be able to provide evidence that the right person holds the right qualification for the work they are carrying out.

That is not something to leave until the final few weeks.

If you carry out inspection and testing, EV charger installation, solar PV installation, battery storage work or other specialist electrical services, now is the time to check whether your qualifications, experience and CPD records are where they need to be.

If you are searching for electrician courses in London, electrical courses near me, or EAS-related training, the safest approach is to act early. Course places, assessment dates and training schedules can become harder to secure as a deadline approaches.

This is why Kelly Energy Training is encouraging electricians and electrical businesses to start planning now.

October 2026 is closer than it looks

The deadline may be 1 October 2026, but the preparation needs to happen before then.

Completing training is not always as simple as booking a course and walking away with a certificate the next day. Depending on the qualification, you may need time to:

Find a suitable course date
Work around existing jobs and contracts
Attend a multi-day training programme
Complete written or practical assessments
Wait for results and certification
Update your competence records
Review staff, subcontractor or agency worker qualifications

That is why waiting until September is risky.

By then, more electricians and businesses will be trying to book the same courses, especially in areas directly linked to the EAS changes, such as inspection and testing, EV charging, solar PV and battery storage.

Acting early gives you more control. You can choose dates that work for your diary, plan around live projects and avoid putting unnecessary pressure on yourself or your team.

What happens if you delay?

The risk is not just missing out on a course date.

The real risk is being unable to evidence individual competence when it matters.

The 2026 EAS changes are designed to make competence clearer, more measurable and more directly linked to the person carrying out the work. This is especially important for periodic inspection and testing and low carbon technologies.

If you leave training and evidence checks too late, you could face problems in several areas.

Registration and assessment reviews

Certification and registration bodies use the EAS framework when assessing electrical businesses.

From October 2026, there will be clearer expectations around individual competence for certain types of work. This means businesses need to know that employees, subcontractors and agency workers are properly qualified for the tasks they carry out.

If your business carries out inspection and testing, EV charging, solar PV or battery storage work, you should be reviewing your team’s qualifications now.

Do not wait until an assessment or registration review highlights the gap.

Inspection and testing work

Inspection and testing is one of the most important areas affected by the EAS changes.

If you carry out periodic inspection and testing, including EICRs, you need to make sure you hold the right recognised qualification for the work you perform.

Relevant inspection and testing qualifications may include:

City & Guilds 2391 to 51 Periodic Inspection and Testing
City & Guilds 2391 to 52 Inspection and Testing
Other accepted Level 3 qualifications, depending on your role and scope of work

You may also need to evidence relevant experience and ongoing CPD.

If inspection and testing is part of your work, this should be one of your first checks.

Low carbon technology work

Low carbon technologies are another key area of focus.

The updated EAS includes specific work categories for low carbon electrical work. This includes areas such as:

If you or your team carry out this type of work, you need to make sure the individual doing the work holds the relevant qualification for that specific area.

A general electrical background may not be enough on its own.

For example, if your business offers solar PV installation, EV charger installation or battery storage services, you should be able to evidence that the people carrying out that work have suitable training and qualifications.

This is not just a compliance issue. It is also a trust issue.

Clients, contractors and scheme providers want to know that specialist work is being completed by properly trained people.

Commercial and tender opportunities

For electrical businesses, the EAS changes should not only be seen as a risk.

They can also be a commercial advantage.

If your workforce is properly qualified and your competence records are clear, you can use that in tenders, contractor conversations and client proposals.

Being able to say that your team is prepared for the 2026 EAS changes gives clients confidence. It shows that your business takes compliance, safety and professional standards seriously.

The businesses that act early will be in a stronger position than those trying to catch up close to the deadline.

Why London electricians need to plan ahead

London and the South East have a high concentration of electricians, contractors, facilities management companies, housing associations, commercial building services providers and renewable energy installers.

That means demand for electrician courses in London is already strong.

As the October 2026 EAS deadline gets closer, demand is likely to increase further, especially for courses linked to:

If you are based in London or the South East, acting early gives you a better chance of finding course dates that work around your current commitments.

Leaving it too late could mean fewer options, more diary pressure and a harder route to getting everything completed before the deadline.

The training areas to review first

Not every electrician will need every course.

The right training route depends on the work you carry out, your existing qualifications and the evidence you already hold.

However, these are the key areas worth reviewing now.

Level 3 electrical qualifications

The EAS changes place a stronger focus on individual competence.

For many electricians, that means checking whether you hold a recognised Level 3 qualification that reflects the work you carry out.

If you are unsure whether your current qualifications are suitable, speak to Kelly Energy Training about the Level 3 NVQ Qualified Electrician route and what evidence may be needed.

18th Edition

The 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations is central to electrical work in the UK.

If your knowledge is out of date, or your qualification predates the latest BS 7671 updates, it may be time to complete an update course.

An 18th Edition course is usually one of the easier training actions to schedule, but it should still not be left until the final rush.

Inspection and testing

If you carry out initial verification, periodic inspection and testing or EICRs, check your qualifications carefully.

Depending on your role and scope of work, you may need a qualification such as City & Guilds 2391 to 51 or 2391 to 52.

These courses can require more planning than a short update course because they include technical content, assessment and practical elements.

EV charger installation

EV charger installation continues to be a growing area for electricians and contractors.

If you install EV charge points, make sure you hold a recognised qualification for that specific work.

This is particularly important for businesses offering EV installation as part of their services.

Solar PV installation and maintenance

Solar PV is another fast-growing area.

If you install or maintain solar PV systems, you need to be able to evidence that you are properly trained and qualified for that work.

A recognised solar PV installation and maintenance course can help close that gap.

Battery storage and ESS

Battery storage and electrical energy storage systems are becoming increasingly important as more customers invest in solar, energy efficiency and low carbon technologies.

If you work with battery storage systems, make sure your qualifications reflect that area of work.

This is a key point for renewable energy contractors and electrical businesses moving into low carbon services.

Evidence and CPD records

The EAS changes are not only about qualifications.

They are also about evidence.

You should be able to show:

Your certificates
Your relevant qualifications
Your work experience
Your CPD
Your training updates
Your scope of work
Your team’s competence records

For business owners, this should include employees, subcontractors and agency workers.

If someone is carrying out work under your business, you need to be confident that they are qualified for that work.

Why acting now makes business sense

Leaving training until the last minute creates pressure.

Acting now creates control.

By reviewing your qualifications early, you can:

Identify gaps before they become urgent
Book courses around your work diary
Plan training for employees and subcontractors
Avoid a last-minute rush for course places
Keep competence records organised
Show clients and contractors that you are prepared
Protect future work opportunities

For electricians, this is about protecting your ability to keep working in the areas you want to work in.

For electrical businesses, it is about protecting your workforce, your registration, your client relationships and your commercial opportunities.

How Kelly Energy Training can help

Kelly Energy Training delivers electrical and low carbon training courses for electricians, contractors and businesses preparing for the 2026 EAS changes.

Relevant courses include:

Whether you are an individual electrician, a small electrical contractor, a renewable energy installer, a facilities management company, a housing association or an electrical labour agency, Kelly Energy Training can help you understand the right training route.

Our team can talk you through your current qualifications, identify possible gaps and help you plan your next steps before the October 2026 deadline gets closer.

Frequently asked questions

What are the 2026 EAS changes?

The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification is the framework used by certification and registration bodies to assess electrical competence.

From 1 October 2026, the EAS places greater focus on individual competence. This means electrical workers need to be able to evidence that they hold suitable qualifications, experience and CPD for the specific work they carry out.

Why should electricians act now?

Training takes time to plan, book and complete.

Some courses involve multi-day training, assessments and certification processing. If you leave everything until September 2026, you may have fewer course options and less time to complete the qualifications you need.

Acting now gives you more control over your training plan.

Which electricians are most affected?

The changes are especially important for electricians and businesses carrying out:

Periodic inspection and testing
EICRs
EV charger installation
Solar PV installation
Battery storage and ESS work
Other low carbon technology work

Electrical businesses should also review the qualifications of employees, subcontractors and agency workers.

Do sole traders need to prepare for the EAS changes?

Yes.

If you are a sole trader carrying out work under a certification or registration scheme, you still need to be able to evidence your own competence.

You should check whether your qualifications, CPD and work scope are up to date before the October 2026 deadline.

What courses might I need before October 2026?

The courses you need depend on the work you carry out and the qualifications you already hold.

Relevant training areas may include:

Kelly Energy Training can help you understand which route is most relevant to you.

Are EV and solar qualifications part of the EAS changes?

Low carbon technologies are a key part of the updated EAS framework.

If you carry out EV charging, solar PV, battery storage, or other low-carbon technology work, you should check whether you hold a recognised qualification in that specific area.

Can I complete my training before October 2026?

Yes, but it is better to start early.

There is still time to plan and complete relevant training before the deadline, but availability may become more limited as more electricians and businesses begin booking courses.

Where can I find electrician courses in London?

Kelly Energy Training offers electrical and low carbon training courses for electricians and businesses looking to prepare for the 2026 EAS changes.

Courses include Level 3 NVQ Qualified Electrician, 18th Edition, Testing and Inspection, Solar PV, EV Charger Installation and Battery Storage and ESS.

Contact Kelly Energy Training to discuss your current qualifications and find the right course for your needs.

Conclusion

The October 2026 EAS changes are not something to leave until September.

If your work includes inspection and testing, EV charging, solar PV, battery storage or other specialist electrical services, you need to know where you stand now.

The key question is simple:

Can you evidence that the right person holds the right qualification for the work they are carrying out?

If you can, you are in a stronger position. If you cannot, or you are unsure, now is the time to act.

Kelly Energy Training can help you review your training needs and book the electrical, inspection and testing, EV, solar PV and battery storage courses that support your route to EAS readiness.

Book your electrician courses in London with Kelly Energy Training today.

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Why Electricians Should Act on the 2026 EAS Changes Now

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Why Electricians Should Act on the 2026 EAS Changes Now