I am interested in training as a "Smart Meter Installer" but am struggling to find any companies/recruitment agencies with vacancies. I presently work as a Meter Operative for a Data Collection company who used to offer training but recently opportunities to upskill have become "few and far between". Apart from 7 years working as a "Meter Op" I have no formal qualifications in Electricity or Gas. I have found this self funding option by a training company called ECTA Become a Smart Meter Installer with ECTA Training in Stockport - https://ectatraining.co.uk/become-smart-meter-installer/ This option will require a financial contribution from myself of £7440 and involves 13weeks of training - 7 weeks classroom study & 6 weeks training "on the job" near my home postcode. Is anyone familiar with this course and can anyone vouch for it?
ECTA "Self funding" Trainee Smart Meter Installer course?
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Sharpend
"It Just Is"
Sounds like a scam? Didn’t think there was too much involved with swapping meters to be fair. I’ve known of plumbers changing to become meter fitters. :C
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Daughters mate does it for Eon
she used to be a Pole dancer
Possbly a couple of days training
just saying.....don't waste yer cash
she used to be a Pole dancer
Possbly a couple of days training
just saying.....don't waste yer cash
£ 7440 .00 ... to change meters .jjjeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
:Godno: :BadIdea:
:Godno: :BadIdea: Sharpend
"It Just Is"
Well deke, haven’t you mastered the emoji!!
Wow, £7444 gets you what exactly ?
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So at the moment you fit ordinary meters, for which I assume your employer pays you.
If your employer wants yo to instead fit smart meters, then your employer should pay for the training and continue paying you.
If your employer won't train you, carry on fitting ordinary meters.
That would be my take.
If your employer wants yo to instead fit smart meters, then your employer should pay for the training and continue paying you.
If your employer won't train you, carry on fitting ordinary meters.
That would be my take.
'meter operative for a data collection company' sounds more like an OTT version of 'meter reader' tbh
and some! Firkin extortionate :redcard£ 7440 .00 ... to change meters .jjjeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it is "duel fuel" - so a snip!
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Bargain
sign me up now
yep....meter reader I reckon
sign me up now
yep....meter reader I reckon
Yes I could never access them before , when someone added those cheapo ones , that is , of course , why I upgraded the Forum to a faster erm thingymajig .
Right question in the wrong place!
If you guys were familiar with the Smart meter world you would know that most companies that train Smart Meter fitters take a percentage of your wage once qualified to pay back the cost of training. They also initially pay a lower wage and write into your contract that you must work for the company that trained you for 2-3 years so that they get value from their investment. Either way you're paying for the training.
ECTA seem to be taking a different approach.
My main concern is shelling out a load of cash and then struggling academically. Remember, I have no electrical or Gas background and this will involve 13weeks of fairly intense study compared to the usual 20week college course leading to a "Level 2 Diploma in Smart Metering(Dual Fuel)"
That said, according to ECTA that has only happened once, funnily enough to an "electrical engineer" who struggled to get to grips with some of the "gas metering".
Correct Andy/Kerching, I am a Meter reader. Meter operative is what's written on my contract. Thought you lot would be a bit better bred!;-)
If you guys were familiar with the Smart meter world you would know that most companies that train Smart Meter fitters take a percentage of your wage once qualified to pay back the cost of training. They also initially pay a lower wage and write into your contract that you must work for the company that trained you for 2-3 years so that they get value from their investment. Either way you're paying for the training.
ECTA seem to be taking a different approach.
My main concern is shelling out a load of cash and then struggling academically. Remember, I have no electrical or Gas background and this will involve 13weeks of fairly intense study compared to the usual 20week college course leading to a "Level 2 Diploma in Smart Metering(Dual Fuel)"
That said, according to ECTA that has only happened once, funnily enough to an "electrical engineer" who struggled to get to grips with some of the "gas metering".
Correct Andy/Kerching, I am a Meter reader. Meter operative is what's written on my contract. Thought you lot would be a bit better bred!;-)
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Sharpend
"It Just Is"
Ok so you want to shell out over £7k for training on a smart meter installation course, how long will that take you to pay back and actually earn a living from the job? You’ve already suggested that the companies that employ you and train you want you to stay 2-3 years to gain from their investment and I can assure you it doesn’t cost them the same as ECTA will charge you. So have you a spare 5-8years?
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I think the answer is in your question.....
But.. IF... and its a BIG IF.. companies were crying out for the sort of candidates that would be the result from this £7000+ course...
then I think you would be seeing adverts for vacancies here there & everywhere..
If I were investing that sort of money in a limited scope training course, I guess I'd have to be pretty desperate to think it worth while....
Or have bucket loads of cash floating around that I can afford to loose on a whim...
I think you need to look at this like putting £7000 on the lottery...
You may get decent return.. OR you may loose the lot!!
(or its like training to do car mechanics just on a single manufacture, rather than generic all makes, so the skills you learn are not very transferable!)
I am NOT 100% convinced that a single person changing BOTH Gas & Electric, is a thing that actually happens much...
We first had smart meter fitted in 2008..
Then replaced in 2019...
Both cases it was separate staff doing Gas & Electric options.....
:C
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so basically a course in how to change a meter is more intense, takes longer and costs more than a 5 week course to become an 'electrician'?!
Sharpend
"It Just Is"
That’s because they’re smart meters no ordinary meter.
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I think in this case then it may well be Rocket Science
i am intrigued to know what actually happens on the course
Morning day 1
isolate
pull fuse
check for dead
dsc old meter wires
reconnect new meter wires
set up,smart switch
break for coffee
re energise
test
Lunch
economy 7 options
questions
look out of window
i am intrigued to know what actually happens on the course
Morning day 1
isolate
pull fuse
check for dead
dsc old meter wires
reconnect new meter wires
set up,smart switch
break for coffee
re energise
test
Lunch
economy 7 options
questions
look out of window
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