Calling for time served electricians need your advice

[morgiee]

Hi their thanks for reading this post will get you up to speed as to were I am.

Im 25 currently work in retail but desperately want to change my career and become an electrician.  Not ideal as iv'e left it a little late however retraining now while i still can.  

Currently i have been working a couple of days volunteering with a local electrician for the past 7 months now.  In this time i have have been involved in all types of work, network CCTV systems, 3 x part p rewire, consumer unit upgrades inc testing and inspecting and general electrical faults.  Im currently on a domestic training course with a company called PASS (this web link shows you the course im currently enrolled on).

Im coming to the end of the course now my final course is a part p course.  I successfully passed two City and Guilds qualifications:

City and Guilds 2382-15 (level 3) requirements for electrical installation. (BS 7671)  electricians 

City and Guilds 2393-10 (level 3) building regulations for electrical installations in dwellings

I want to know what the next best move is.  My aim is to be mainly a domestic electrician but can do all aspects of electrical e.g. CCTV install, alarm systems, test and inspect and sometimes small businesses.  

The sparky im currently with has been real helpful and has advised that ideally my next stage is to do a nvq level 3 which is 3-4 years.

If this is the case OK, however due to some commitments would only work if it was a part time course and all portfolios could be done on specific jobs ive been involved in.  Eventually with the right qualifications and personal confidence i will move to a permanent position.

What would be you advise on my scenario?  All thoughts appreciated.  As i need to start planning my next move.  

Thanks  

 

[morgiee]

sorry never posted link here it is:

http://www.electricaltrainingcourse.co.uk/electrical-training-packages/domestic-electrical-installer/

Thanks 

 

[Blue Duck]

Become a qualified domestic electrical installer in 16 days

Never heard of the 2393 :C

Part pee = waste of time  :red card

Stop giving these people your herd earned and get down to your local college and ask about the NVQ, you may also need lvl3 2330 (2365)?

One of the forum sponsors has a training centre (EOD Neil) He will be able to advise further.

IMO Start with Domestic electrics and other things will fall into place such as CCTV, alarms, door entry etc.

It's only wires how hard can it be?

 

[morgiee]

Thanks cant find him on here could you direct me to him.

Thanks 

 

[Andy™]

those courses are useless. they were originally for those who knew what they were doing but didnt have the qualifications, not those who dont know what they are doing. once you finish, you may well be 'qualified', however you will not be an electrician, and you will be very unlikely to be employed as one. your sparky is correct - you need your NVQ3 which will take a few years.

 

[apprentice87]

How long the NVQ takes is entirely up to you....

Go ask at the local college.

If you can produce the evidence that is required  of work you have done for the NVQ assessor and you can arrange fro him to come and actually see you doing some work there is NO REASON that you could not do it in no time at all....

john...

 

[shanky887614]

ill be honest with you, i went to college 5 years ago and ive still got a lot to learn. put me in a plantroom etc and i can get all the cables in and containment but chuck me in a factory and i wouldnt have a clue when it comes to large scale power for example busbar chambers, taps off for different boards and supplies etc

now i could call a mate and get enough info to get by but it would be a struggle and thats with 3-4 years on the tools after i finished 2 years at college

 

[morgiee]

those courses are useless. they were originally for those who knew what they were doing but didnt have the qualifications, not those who dont know what they are doing. once you finish, you may well be 'qualified', however you will not be an electrician, and you will be very unlikely to be employed as one. your sparky is correct - you need your NVQ3 which will take a few years.

Yeah thought that with it only being a month, however it has been useful as it given me an insight into being an electrician and hopefully a step in the door when it comes to entry requirements for college 

How long the NVQ takes is entirely up to you....

Go ask at the local college.

If you can produce the evidence that is required  of work you have done for the NVQ assessor and you can arrange fro him to come and actually see you doing some work there is NO REASON that you could not do it in no time at all....

john...

This is exactly what i was hoping John, i dont see why it would be an issue if say a year in they want me to develop a portfolio of specific jobs i have done.  I could do the written part and then ask my sparky if i could volunteer with him for a few days and document with photos or even arrange the assessor to come to the same job that day to assess my work  Ideally working full time would be better but its no longer practical for me now at my age with things like commitments. That way i can continue with my daily job, go to the college course every Tuesday night and from what i see it is a two year course so this being the nvq that people would want from me.  I refuse to accept that it is impossible or not possible for me to retrain and within a few years be qualified.  If i stick to it and do as much practical and theory work why i cant be just as qualified or near qualified as someone who has done it as an apprenticeship   

ill be honest with you, i went to college 5 years ago and ive still got a lot to learn. put me in a plantroom etc and i can get all the cables in and containment but chuck me in a factory and i wouldnt have a clue when it comes to large scale power for example busbar chambers, taps off for different boards and supplies etc

now i could call a mate and get enough info to get by but it would be a struggle and thats with 3-4 years on the tools after i finished 2 years at college

I appreciate what you are saying and i can imaging it is very difficult as your going down a specialist field working with high voltages.  However im only aiming to be a all round domestic / commercial electrician.  

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Hmmm...

Both of the courses you have listed are just regulations update courses...

designed for people already qualified and working in the industry...

as a update refresher to ensure existing knowledge is brought up to current standards...

They are not intended as startup courses for newcomers to the industry....

Try reading the City & Guilds guidance...

Then why not go back to the link you posted and look at the courses they suggest?

http://www.electricaltrainingcourse.co.uk/become-electrician/

e.g. 2365..

Note the C&G suggest this is for new entrants giving underpinning knowledge for electro technical qualification.

http://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/building-services-industry/electrical-installation/2365-electrotechnical-craft#tab=information

Can never understand how people can search the internet to find a forum to ask questions about qualifications..

but can't find the provider of a qualification to see who/what it is intended for and if it is appropriate for themselves.?

opcorn

 

[Blue Duck]

Thanks cant find him on here could you direct me to him.

Thanks 

http://talk.electricianforum.co.uk/profile/13036-eodneil/

 

[eodneil]

Thank you Blue Duck.

Hi Morgiee

The guys above have already told you whats needed so I'm merely repeating what they have said. There are three qualifications you need if you do not want to go down the route of completing a 4 year Apprenticeship, they are (and in this order);

• Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations (2365)
  
• Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (2365)
  
• Level 3 NVQ (2357-44) Portfolio and AM2 only.
  

If you want more information on these quals have a look at my page How to become an Electrician.

I have noticed you have already done a lot of work that would cover what is required to complete the NVQ, but don't count on being able to use it as evidence, it needs to be recent work that you have completed whilst enrolled on the 2357 NVQ.

Its a shame that you have already paid out money on the qualifications you previously mentioned, as you have noticed from what the guys here have said, the majority are a waste of money and effort. One of the qualifications that is worth a mention on your CV is the 2382 17th Edition, whilst it is only a 3 day regs course and not deemed difficult, a lot of employers require this.

You should find the qualifications that I have mentioned with most decent colleges and providers, who will offer different time scales. Let us know if we can help with anything else and good luck.

Neil

 

[apprentice87]

I have noticed you have already done a lot of work that would cover what is required to complete the NVQ, but don't count on being able to use it as evidence, it needs to be recent work that you have completed whilst enrolled on the 2357 NVQ.

says who??? APL

john...

 

[morgiee]

Thank you Blue Duck.

Hi Morgiee

The guys above have already told you whats needed so I'm merely repeating what they have said. There are three qualifications you need if you do not want to go down the route of completing a 4 year Apprenticeship, they are (and in this order);

• Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations (2365)
  
• Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (2365)
  
• Level 3 NVQ (2357-44) Portfolio and AM2 only.
  

If you want more information on these quals have a look at my page How to become an Electrician.

I have noticed you have already done a lot of work that would cover what is required to complete the NVQ, but don't count on being able to use it as evidence, it needs to be recent work that you have completed whilst enrolled on the 2357 NVQ.

Its a shame that you have already paid out money on the qualifications you previously mentioned, as you have noticed from what the guys here have said, the majority are a waste of money and effort. One of the qualifications that is worth a mention on your CV is the 2382 17th Edition, whilst it is only a 3 day regs course and not deemed difficult, a lot of employers require this.

You should find the qualifications that I have mentioned with most decent colleges and providers, who will offer different time scales. Let us know if we can help with anything else and good luck.

Neil

Thanks for this advice finally a clear path as to what I need to do next. Going to enquire my local college about it and will let you know what I find 

 

[morgiee]

 

[apprentice87]

Not sure if this will be any use to you..

http://cdn.cityandguilds.com/ProductDocuments/Building_Services_Industry/Electrical_Installation/2365/Centre_documents/2365_APL_matrix_v7.pdf

john..