EDA Product Knowledge Modules retain City & Guilds Accreditation for eighth consecutive year

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  Posted by: electime      11th June 2026

In May 2026, the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) successfully retained City & Guilds Accredited Programme status for its 12 Product Knowledge Modules for the eighth year in a row.

The annual City & Guilds assessment praised the programme’s delivery model as “accessible, adaptable and clearly communicated”, highlighting its “systematic and well-documented approach” to maintaining quality and consistency.

Margaret Fitzsimons

Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO of the Electrical Distributors’ Association, commented: “City & Guilds Accreditation gives our training modules real prestige and we have to go through a rigorous assessment process every year to retain our status.  It’s a stressful time for Tracy Hewett, our Head of Education and Training, but we believe it’s worth it because of the credibility and confidence it gives to us and to the businesses that use the modules. For the Association to successfully pass its annual City & Guilds assessment once again is a tremendous achievement for Tracy and our Education and Training team.

“The EDA Product Knowledge Programme has become a benchmark for technical learning within the sector, helping both new recruits and experienced employees build confidence and strengthen their understanding of products, systems and applications. As the electrical industry continues to evolve at pace – driven by sustainability, electrification, digital technologies and regulatory change – the programme remains a vital investment in workforce development across the UK electrical wholesale sector.”

“At the end of 2025, the module programme also received its second Princess Royal Training Award, and this latest recognition further endorses the quality of the training we provide.”

In 2025, more than 1,400 modules were successfully completed by employees across EDA member businesses throughout the UK. Feedback from learners and managers highlights the programme’s strong impact:

  • 98% of learners rated the content “good” or “very good”
  • 69% said the training greatly improved their product knowledge
  • 94% of managers reported measurable business benefits through improved customer service or increased sales

Salim Visram, Industry Manager at City & Guilds, said: “Retaining accreditation for an eighth consecutive year is a significant achievement and reflects the EDA’s continued commitment to high-quality training and development. The Product Knowledge Modules demonstrate a clear focus on meeting the needs of the electrical wholesale sector, with a structured and accessible approach that supports learners at all stages of their careers.

“It is particularly encouraging to see how the programme continues to evolve in response to industry change, at a time when the electrotechnical sector is being shaped by rapid digitalisation and the transition to low-carbon and energy-efficient technologies. This ongoing development, alongside strong standards of delivery, assessment and quality assurance, ensures the programme remains well placed to support the workforce as these areas continue to grow in importance. We are pleased to recognise the EDA’s ongoing contribution to building skills, confidence and capability across the workforce.”