Access Training

[user 34292]

I’m currently working though the access training course. I’ve just finished the practical training and will be booking the practical exam soon. Does anyone have any knowledge about this course and what to expect? Also, how useful will these certificates be for me gering work? What other courses, such as AM2 or NVQ Diplom will benefit me compared to what I’ll be getting from just this course? I’ll be achieving level 3 inspection and testing along side the 18th and Pat testing

 

[Sharpend]

Have you actually done any electrical installation courses? If not then you’ve just wasted a shed load of money

 

[user 34292]

That’s what this is. It’s level 3 initial verification and level 3 condition reporting along with Pat testing and 18th edition and also the domestic electrical installation

 

[Andy™]

so... nothing thats really any use

 

[Sharpend]

That’s what this is. It’s level 3 initial verification and level 3 condition reporting along with Pat testing and 18th edition and also the domestic electrical installation

None of what you have/are doing has any relevance to you to be in a position to be capable to design and install anything electrical. They have sold you down the river as they have with many others before you.

 

[user 34292]

None of what you have/are doing has any relevance to you to be in a position to be capable to design and install anything electrical. They have sold you down the river as they have with many others before you.

I’d rather get agency work as a testers doing periodic inspection. I’m guessing due to the fact that there’s a lot of understanding involved for the theory exams and upcoming practical exam, doing courses like this shows a level of commitment and maturity to employers that many can’t display without years of experience

 

[user 34292]

None of what you have/are doing has any relevance to you to be in a position to be capable to design and install anything electrical. They have sold you down the river as they have with many others before

so... nothing thats really any use

no offence, but stating that a course where you need to apply your self and sit 7 difficult theory exams, attend an intense 3 week course and show a high level of competence to pass the practical exams means nothing to employers tells me you don’t have much sense in you

 

[Andy™]

an apprenticeship takes 4 years. do you really think you can learn enough from an 'intense 3 week course'?

 

[Andy™]

I’d rather get agency work as a testers doing periodic inspection. I’m guessing due to the fact that there’s a lot of understanding involved for the theory exams and upcoming practical exam, doing courses like this shows a level of commitment and maturity to employers that many can’t display without years of experience

3 week course and now youre going to be doing EICR's.... what could possibly go wrong?

 

[user 34292]

an apprenticeship takes 4 years. do you really think you can learn enough from an 'intense 3 week course'?

I’ve learned a lot these past two years

 

[user 34292]

3 week course and now youre going to be doing EICR's.... what could possibly go wrong?

That’s why I’m looking to gain experience

 

[Sharpend]

With the greatest of respect, there are people that have been electricians for years that still wouldn’t know how to do an EICR properly. It’s not about reading a result and filling in an form it’s about being competent enough to understand what the result is telling you about the integrity of the installation, if you have no understanding of installations then all you are going to be looking for are Text book results as that all you’ll know.
What you have to then appreciate is that it will your name that is on the form as being the competent tester and you will be responsible if anything goes wrong after as you will be deemed to be that last ‘competent’ person to have touched the installation.
And because of this, many eicrs are done to text book readings so are not worth the paper they are written on. Remember there could be a multitude of reasons why a reading isn’t a text book read, you will be expected to know why and what to look for.

 

[Sensai]

Does the course you are doing have a course code? It sounds like the 2391-52 but you mention learning over 2 years and to access that you should already have some sort of Level 3 qualification.

 

[user 34292]

I understand this and I do feel I’ve learned a great deal through this course and self learning over the past two years. Im not basing my competence, or even claiming to be competent yet, solely from this course. It’s obvious that it takes time, dedication, experience and self learning to be a competent skilled tester which allows you to have a greater understanding of what is deemed to be a safe installation for continued use.
I think people need to weary of condemning someone’s efforts as worthless and meaningless before understanding fully what they’ve done and achieved, as this could be more harmful than helpful.

 

[grumpyjohn01]

I understand this and I do feel I’ve learned a great deal through this course and self learning over the past two years. Im not basing my competence, or even claiming to be competent yet, solely from this course. It’s obvious that it takes time, dedication, experience and self learning to be a competent skilled tester which allows you to have a greater understanding of what is deemed to be a safe installation for continued use.
I think people need to weary of condemning someone’s efforts as worthless and meaningless before understanding fully what they’ve done and achieved, as this could be more harmful than helpful.

Don't let the Guild members and protectionists put you off, with dedication and work and an aptitude in the right direction you can be as good a spark as any...I took an 'unconventional' route 25 years ago much to the chagrin of the 'old school' and now I'm the one getting asked for advice at the Trade Counter..You can direct your own training very effectively but beware of courses promising the earth, be critical before handing over your money, oh and finding an experienced mentor even if it means working for very little for a while is worth its weight in gold. You have to serve your time somehow...10,000 hours and all that...Good Luck!

 

[user 34292]

Don't let the Guild members and protectionists put you off, with dedication and work and an aptitude in the right direction you can be as good a spark as any...I took an 'unconventional' route 25 years ago much to the chagrin of the 'old school' and now I'm the one getting asked for advice at the Trade Counter..You can direct your own training very effectively but beware of courses promising the earth, be critical before handing over your money, oh and finding an experienced mentor even if it means working for very little for a while is worth its weight in gold. You have to serve your time somehow...10,000 hours and all that...Good Luck!

Thanks you very much for the encouraging words. My plan is to gain experience of any kind to begin with and considering I respect the trade enormously, I won’t be cutting any corners. I’m sure I’ll manage to find my way.
Thanks again

 

[Sharpend]

I understand this and I do feel I’ve learned a great deal through this course and self learning over the past two years. Im not basing my competence, or even claiming to be competent yet, solely from this course. It’s obvious that it takes time, dedication, experience and self learning to be a competent skilled tester which allows you to have a greater understanding of what is deemed to be a safe installation for continued use.
I think people need to weary of condemning someone’s efforts as worthless and meaningless before understanding fully what they’ve done and achieved, as this could be more harmful than helpful.

This is not a reflection on you personally it is the fact that you are sold something that really isn’t fit for purpose for someone wishing to change career. Without the fundamental understanding how would you know what’s right or wrong?

 

[Sharpend]

Don't let the Guild members and protectionists put you off, with dedication and work and an aptitude in the right direction you can be as good a spark as any...I took an 'unconventional' route 25 years ago much to the chagrin of the 'old school' and now I'm the one getting asked for advice at the Trade Counter..You can direct your own training very effectively but beware of courses promising the earth, be critical before handing over your money, oh and finding an experienced mentor even if it means working for very little for a while is worth its weight in gold. You have to serve your time somehow...10,000 hours and all that...Good Luck!

No one is being elitist, there are many ways to train or retrain but if you choose or are guided to the wrong course then you’ll miss what you need to know. Training without an experienced mentor is also as dangerous as getting the wrong course, how do you know if you are doing it right if you have no one to correct you?

 

[user 34292]

With the greatest of respect, there are people that have been electricians for years that still wouldn’t know how to do an EICR properly. It’s not about reading a result and filling in an form it’s about being competent enough to understand what the result is telling you about the integrity of the installation, if you have no understanding of installations then all you are going to be looking for are Text book results as that all you’ll know.
What you have to then appreciate is that it will your name that is on the form as being the competent tester and you will be responsible if anything goes wrong after as you will be deemed to be that last ‘competent’ person to have touched the installation.
And because of this, many eicrs are done to text book readings so are not worth the paper they are written on. Remember there could be a multitude of reasons why a reading isn’t a text book read, you will be expected to know why and what to look for

Have you actually done any electrical installation courses? If not then you’ve just wasted a shed load of money

This is not a reflection on you personally it is the fact that you are sold something that really isn’t fit for purpose for someone wishing to change career. Without the fundamental understanding how would you know what’s right or wrong?

I agree that for what I will be receiving i payed too much. Also, although getting taught how to install various appliances, there wasn’t enough time spent on this. I also agree that this type of crash course will arm many people with the idea that they understand more than they do, which is obviously dangerous.

 

[steptoe]

Jaysus, this place gets more and more upmarket every day,
Not only do we have members that have been asked to teach,
We now have members that have been asked for advice at
" THE TRADE COUNTER"
I'm in genuine awe now,