The role of the installer in a new light

- The role of an installer is not primarily about carrying out the work, but about ensuring that the work is planned, carried out and documented correctly. It is a decision-making role, clarifies electrical and instrument engineer, Håvard Løining.

Løining also shares this understanding of the role as a course instructor in NITO's preparatory course for the installer test. The course is based on practical issues and helps participants develop the right mindset for the role of academic manager – not only with the goal of passing an exam, but understanding the responsibilities that come with the role.

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A role with greater responsibility than before

For many electrical professionals, the role of installer is perceived as a natural next step in their career. At the same time, the role has changed character. Where the installer was previously largely associated with technical experience and execution, today the role is increasingly described as a function with responsibility for risk assessment, quality assurance and safety throughout the plant's lifetime.

The installer must not only know how the work is carried out, but ensure that it is planned, executed and documented correctly. This involves decisions that affect personal safety, fire safety, operation and maintenance, documentation and compliance, as well as the expertise in the business.

The installer test shows what the role requires

This development is clearly reflected in the installer test, which is now conducted digitally, without aids, and largely tests the candidate's ability to make administrative and professional assessments – not practical execution.

For many, this means a clear shift in mindset: from a fitter perspective to a professional responsibility perspective. The test is about being able to assess risk, competence requirements, documentation, internal control and relevant regulations and norms – and to show judgement in the role of professional responsible.

Competence is a team effort

An important insight is that the installer's decision-making quality is influenced by the entire business. When installers, bases, case officers and project managers have a good understanding of the regulations, the basis for decision-making is better. Competence building is therefore not an individual responsibility, but a collective task.

In practice, much of the learning takes place in short moments – in a professional discussion before work starts, in a clarification about documentation on the construction site or after a deviation that needs to be handled. Such situations contribute to better decisions and a stronger safety culture.

Digital professional support as a supplement to experience

Professional responsibility cannot be digitized away. The role requires presence, guidance and professional judgement. At the same time, the industry sees that low-threshold digital professional tools can be a useful supplement in competence work.

One example is the Installer App, developed by Håvard Løining, which is designed to support reflection and professional discussions about regulations and responsibilities in everyday work. Such tools can help to keep knowledge active, uncover competence needs, strengthen professional conversations and provide greater confidence in assessments – without replacing experience.

The installer role as a career path 

For many NITO members, the role of installer represents an important development step. The role requires a complex competence profile that combines technical experience, regulatory understanding, system and risk expertise, decision-making ability and the ability to develop others. This makes the installer a key person in the business and a key player for electrical safety in society.

The development points to an installer role characterised by increasing complexity, greater documentation requirements, digitalisation of competence work and a need for continuous learning. The installer who succeeds is not necessarily the one who knows the most alone – but the one who builds expertise around him or herself and facilitates good professional discussions.

Briefly about the author of this article 

Håvard Løining is an electrical and instrument engineer with installation papers according to FEK § 7. He has experience from the construction and energy sector and works with electrical safety, regulatory compliance and quality in technical projects. Løining passed the installer test in 2018 and currently works with competence development in the electrical trade. The commitment to the installer role has resulted in the development of the Installer App and the publication of the Installer Guide.

Read more and sign up for preparation for the installer test