I have the "Lighting and Sound Engineer" ECS card. It's a "Related Disciplines" card. Requirements are a basic H&S multiple choice test. It has a few electrical specific questions, but easy enough to pass with no prep. I think the only other requirement was a job description. Most of the other cards require job specific training and evidence. Card lasts 3 years and cost about £45 for test, plus £30 for the card. When I have taken the test, the scary thing is there were people that didn't pass the test. I'm not sure how people survive every day life if they can't get through this basic test! Sadly these cards are a requirement for working on all UK building sites. They will ask for a "CSCS" card, which an ECS also carries the CSCS logo. You can also get a CSCS card which last for 5 years, but would likely end up with a green "Labourers" card. To get this you need to do a 2 day H&S course, plus multiple choice test. Other cards require this plus further training. I can see the need for this sort of scheme in the building trade, but it's a badly run and overcomplicated scheme, especially CSCS where there are far too many card types. However the assessment and route to getting electrician ECS "Gold Card" status is a reasonable scheme, and any "Gold Card" holders are very likely to be competent electricians.