Colour blindness

[Armeg UK]

Hi TEF,
My lad bagged himself an apprenticeship as an electrical installer. It's the only thing he has shown any interest in pursuing for a career (seeing as being a professional footballer is not a realistic option for him ). He has done several weeks work experience for his future employer and they are that impressed they offered him the apprenticeship.

He has got provisional offers on apprenticeship courses at 2 technical colleges. One of them, the apprenticeships are overseen by JTL. JTL wanted a colour blindness test carrying out. We had this done at the weekend and he narrowly failed (pass mark is 3 fails, he got 5 fails out of 12 slides). He was absolutely distraught as he thinks that JTL will now not allow him to join the course. We have had no notification from the other course provider that they need a colour blindness test but fear it may only be a matter of time.

His main concern is that he won't be able to achieve his dream of becoming an installer.

Are any of you lot colour blind at any level? If so, how has it hindered you? Is his dream over or is there a way round this?

The optician said the problem was a red/green differentiation issue. But he says he has no problem distinguishing the 2 in the real world. I'm no expert but am desperate to help because it was horrible seeing him as upset as he has been this weekend. I know I'm biased but I feel he would be a genuine asset to the industry.

Thanks for reading

Phil

 

[roys]

Wonder if the stress and the unknown of the test had any bearing on the result. Maybe retaking the test now he knows what to expect might have a different result?
I have had a few colour blindness tests and fortunately passed them, hope he gets it sorted out and gets his apprenticeship as he has obviously made a good impression.

 

[binky]

in theory cable colours were changed to prevent colour blindness issues.

 

[UNG]

Back when I started in the industry in the mid 70's a couple of lads I knew had partial colour blindness and got apprenticeships don't know how they got on as I lost touch with them many years ago

 

[Geoff1946]

Would it not be illegal discrimination to refuse someone admission to a course on such grounds?

 

[steptoe]

Would it not be illegal discrimination to refuse someone admission to a course on such grounds?

I'm not sure it would be discrimination in a case like this, seeing colours is fairly important for a spark,
It'd be like turning down someone with vertigo for a scaffolding job,
I think it'd be a prerequisite rather than a like to have.
I can't hear very well in one ear, I'm very likely never to be accepted for a job where sensitive hearing is necessary,

 

[mort2376]

When I was doing my apprenticeship, back when the world was sane, I remember a few lads who were colour blind and they completed their apprenticeship no problems.

Maybe a second test, but explain to the optician what it's for and if there is a different set of slides ? I don't know but it could be an option.

Unfortunately in todays society people won't take risks. I wish your lad every succeed and hope he manages to get it sorted.

 

[Armeg UK]

Wonder if the stress and the unknown of the test had any bearing on the result. Maybe retaking the test now he knows what to expect might have a different result?
I have had a few colour blindness tests and fortunately passed them, hope he gets it sorted out and gets his apprenticeship as he has obviously made a good impression.

Thanks Roys, yep I'm thinking of booking another test for him and fingers crossed

 

[Armeg UK]

Would it not be illegal discrimination to refuse someone admission to a course on such grounds?

They will see it as health and safety due to a lot of colour identification in the industry I would imagine

 

[Armeg UK]

When I was doing my apprenticeship, back when the world was sane, I remember a few lads who were colour blind and they completed their apprenticeship no problems.

Maybe a second test, but explain to the optician what it's for and if there is a different set of slides ? I don't know but it could be an option.

Unfortunately in todays society people won't take risks. I wish your lad every succeed and hope he manages to get it sorted.

Thank you. Yes, I think I'm going to book him another test

 

[Armeg UK]

I've contacted the other course provider and they have also said he needs a colour blindness test. They are going to contact me with more details on that.
JTL have an online colour blindness test which he passed 100%. They specify the Ishihara test to be carried out by an optician which is the one he narrowly failed. If the other course provider want a different test doing then there may be some hope. I'm clutching at straws I realise

 

[Fleeting]

I'm no expert on such things but a school friend of mine had some colour blindness and served an electrical apprenticeship with British Rail. I suppose there are different levels to this but if he can distinguish red and green as he sees them then I don't see a problem but I suspect there is more to it that that good luck to him that he can succeed on his path.

 

[UNG]

One of the things with colour a lot can depend on the lighting what colour you see, how many times do you crawl into a dimly lit cupboard and realise that it would have been a good idea to have a torch so you can the see the different colours that all look very similar in the gloom

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

There is no reason that a colour blind person can not be an electrician.
If anyone wants to try a red/green colour blind test Click here

It is possible to get colour correction glasses for people who are colour blind.

 

[Armeg UK]

Quick update.
The lad is booked in for another Ishihara test at a different opticians next Monday.
Just in case he was a bit blasé and cocksure about the first one.
He is going to practice online beforehand.
I've emailed JTL who say that every test result is taken on its merits and wanted me to give them his name so they could check his uploaded certificate. I haven't uploaded it yet, I'm waiting for the results of the second one. If he passes that then the problem will go away.
I have been told by an ex-college lecturer who is very respected in the industry that JTL are the only people who insist on a colour blindness test. This wasn't backed up when I contacted the other course provider and they said that they too would require a colour blindness test. He said that in the near-on 20 years of lecturing he has carried out, he had never heard of it being a requirement.

Phil

 

[mort2376]

Hope it goes well for him

 

[revor]

I too am red green colour blind and never have any trouble with mains cable colours as there is "enough" bulk colour the only time I have issue is with some data cable where the the ring colours are small and not bold. I used to do colour photography processing and found it impossible to identify tints in my prints so could not correct them. At the time I was recommended some lenses which claim to correct colour vision but never tried them so do not know if such things are still around, If they are then they could be a possible solution.

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

At the time I was recommended some lenses which claim to correct colour vision but never tried them so do not know if such things are still around, If they are then they could be a possible

They are, I posted a YT video about them 3 posts above yours.

 

[revor]

Thanks, goodness knows why I missed it.

 

[Armeg UK]

Final Update!

So we spent a few days 'practicing' Ishihara tests online in preparation for his re-test yesterday evening. Really pleased to say he smashed the test with 100%.

Thanks for all your responses, advice and encouragement. It's really appreciated.

My lad's absolutely buzzing and looking forward to starting his career

Phil