Can an apprentice sign off electrical work?

No.

You are within your rights to ask to see a competency card which is the JIB gold card, however these days it’s not worth the plastic it’s printed on. In which you do not see this card for an apprentice you should challenge the electrician with the gold card to ensure the correct standards of work from both parties. I’m afraid you have taken a risk there or was this understood before the job was started, however this risk should be with the supervising electrician that you saw last minute as he will have to put he’s name down on the certificate as the qualifying supervisor to cover the entire job. Depending on if this apprentice has gained the skills Whilst working and obtaining hes/her qualifications the risk of shoddy work is minimised. Your certificate should be an installation certificate highlighting the New circuits Installed or a minor works if the circuits have just been extended. I have seen clients issued with a minor works document for incorrect work requested. I hope this helps.

Under the Safe working practice, its not advised that an apprentice should be working alone with no guidance from a senior (JIB grade electrician). When it come to testing and signing off the work, any new installation should be issued with an EIC - this is carried out by a registered electrician with the likes of having a 2391-52 qualification. In terms of paying the bill, I would ask for a certification first and maybe worth getting a second opinion on the install, before paying. A quick EICR from another electrician will be able to confirm the readings and install. Hope this helps

No an apprentice should never working unsupervised. On the other hand unless he is really good and has the knowledge of what the work involves. But in the best practice no. Yes you should be given a Domestic Installation Certificate for the Kitchen ring circuit install . Also it should of been inspected and tested and certified.

It is a little harsh to withhold the entire payment just because you don't have a certificate. Pay him half and the remainder when he's furnished you with a certificate. Gold Cards are for commercial/industrial work. Not needed for domestic. Far better to have a Part P registered electrician.

Apprentices shouldn’t be left alone to carry out any work at all and should always be under the supervision of a fully qualified electrician . All new circuits installed are notifiable work under part p and so you need to be part of an approved installer scheme napit , niceic etc as an apprentice he wouldn’t be able to be registered with one of these governing bodies or provide you with the eic certification required