Evening - And A Little Help Please

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Would you say the local college courses offer people like me (in their 40s) a better route int the industry then? They often only last a year rather than 4 years.

 
Would you say the local college courses offer people like me (in their 40s) a better route int the industry then? They often only last a year rather than 4 years.
They don't my course was three years and more for the testing and inspection I also trained to be an electrician with a firm when I left school which was 3.5 years. The only thing I didn't do with them was go to college to get my qualifications. Not a proper apprenticeship but as good as.  Where will you get your practical experience when you have finished the course. We get a lot on this forum asking for free training but they don't get many takers.

 
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Fair points - sorry if I came on a bit strong. I have been a victim of dodgy building work in the past so should understand. 

The ATL course I am on is actually 3 years, but a lot of that is waiting for new material to be sent, and waiting for the practical weeks

 
Welcome to the forum, I have merged your two threads together as they both relate to the same thing. (duplicate threads just clutter a forum). I would also point out that as you asked for advice, including horror stories, it is a little strange you appear upset when other members summaries the content of numerous posts relating to similar training providers and the apparent shortcomings between what was "promised" -vs- "what you actually get". The simple fact is a certain swathe of "training providers" have jumped on the bandwagon by selling short courses designed for electricians with experience but no qualifications to get their qualifications up-to date. Many of the courses they provide were never intended for new starters to the trade. It is not illegal for someone to sell training to pass an exam, but it is up to the purchaser to ensure that the product they are purchasing is actually what they think they are getting. In principle it is not unlike other products or services where the basic item appears a bargain, but you then have to pay out more for extras that you may not have realised were additional, or need to pay for improved support package once a 30day free trial expires etc. That is business, I think the phrase is 'buyer beware'. You will probably need to check through the small print of the training agreement you purchased to see if you can get out of it. Other than that it is a case carry on or cut your losses and try again.

Doc H..

 
Thanks Doc, duly noted. Apologies again for being a hot-head. 

I read about the poor woman in the Midlands who died, and would certainly not want to be responsible for something similar happening. 

I will look into switching to a local college - my fee is paid monthly for ATL so I am not too much down. I will get my solicitor mate to write them a letter if I decide to quit and go from there.

 
I think it would be fair to say no one here knows of ATL. Its a fact you will learn more working with an experienced electrician than just a short college course, but you will cost the electrician time and money tagging along so its a catch 22 situation.

Where about in London are you ?

 
ooo he's nearer you than me slipper ;) Mind you doing my job would probably put him being off an electrician altogether.

Going to one next week where all the light fittings and switches are broken and you cant see the floor :(
Oooh you working in voids ducky ??

Be careful of needles sticking out of switches in some of them dives. Dirty skag heads and all that :)

 
Oooh you working in voids ducky ??

Be careful of needles sticking out of switches in some of them dives. Dirty skag heads and all that :)
Oooh you working in voids ducky ??

Be careful of needles sticking out of switches in some of them dives. Dirty skag heads and all that :)
Occupied voids I guess, not always drug addicts / mental health but this one is, the NHS are actually paying us for this one to try stop the occupant from costing them more money.

Ahh well... Bank holiday weekend soon :)

 
little bit of advice: if you put dust sheets down to keep your feet clean, dont tell the tennant that. especially if the foreman is in the same room

on the plus side, i did get a nice easy job elsewhere for the rest of the day...

 
Ironically I spoke to a neighbour last night whose house had been re-wired, but not earthed properly. The guy who'd done it had completed a level 2 course only..

 
When you say not earthed properly is that:

  • To the suppliers earth
  • Main equipotential bonding  
  • Supplementary bonding
 
As much as I hate to point people that way, another forum (the darkside) I believe have a long long thread on ATL & company names associated with them might be worth you looking (bel83 has dug up some info).

Cant give you a link as I'm banned from there. :slap

 
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