Data centre work for electricians
Data centres run on large, duplicated electrical systems that can't be switched off, so qualified electricians are in demand, both on new builds and on live sites.
What employers ask for
From UK adverts we checked:
- Equinix, Slough (Critical Facilities Engineer, Level III): "NVQ Level 3 or equivalent is required, and AM2 is preferred for electrical candidates." It accepts maintenance experience from manufacturing, utilities, commercial buildings, transport or the armed forces.
- Equinix, Manchester ("Get into Data Centres" engineer): an ONC, BTEC or NVQ in electrical or mechanical engineering, with high-voltage (HV) switching experience preferred.
- CBRE, Harlow (Data Centre Shift Leader): HV Authorised Person status, 18th Edition, and City & Guilds electrical competency or equivalent.
What the qualifications are
- NVQ Level 3 and AM2. The AM2 is the practical assessment at the end of the Level 3 electrical NVQ (City & Guilds 2357 or EAL 1605), run by NET. Apprentices on the newer apprenticeship standard take the AM2S instead.
- 18th Edition (BS 7671). The IET Wiring Regulations, BS 7671:2018. Amendment 4 was published on 15 April 2026, and the previous version is withdrawn six months later, so "current 18th Edition" now means the 2026 amendment.
- ECS card. The industry card scheme. The Installation Electrician gold card is for Level 3 (NVQ) qualified electricians; the Maintenance Electrician card also needs a current BS 7671 qualification.
- Authorised Person (HV or LV). An appointment by the employer, not a course. HSE's guidance (HSG85) describes it as "a competent person appointed by the employer, preferably in writing", whose duties can include issuing permits-to-work, and who must be competent through training, qualifications or experience of the system being worked on.
Where the jobs are
New builds hire electricians in large numbers during construction and commissioning; live sites hire for maintenance and shift roles. See sites being built near you and what the jobs pay.