Hello

[Garethf619]

Hello all,

I'm new here, currently I work as a site manager at a primary school where I have work at for the last ten years. I'm a father of two daughters and one my own house.

I'm 33 years old and thinking about a career change into electrics.

Near to where I live a collage called trades gateway offer an home based coarse that offer the training and placement to become a electrician.

I wanted to ask if anyone on here had heard of them and could offer any advice on where someone like me could start.

Thanks in advance

Gareth

 

[Zeespark]

DONT - these type courses are a load of the brown smelly stuff, go to a proper college, its takes longer, but they are infinitely better Gareth

Andy Guinness

 

[eodneil]

Hi and welcome Gareth

I wouldn't bother with any home study Electrical course, the Electrical trade isn't something you can learn at home through a book or on a computer and you need the right support from a qualified experienced Lecturer. Look for a local college or training provider and enroll on the correct qualifications and who ever you chose do some background research on google, if they are bad you should quickly find out.

Good luck

Neil

 

[Garethf619]

Thanks guys,

One thing I should add is that this collage isn't only home based, I would use my holidays from my current job and work with listed electrical company's that the collage provide and support

 

[eodneil]

Can you list the qualifications? This is important because so many people get ripped off with being sold the wrong or very poor qualifications which aren't recognised.

Have you tried researching for reviews on google? This well tell you a lot about the company.

It sounds like a good idea, but if you are serious I would plan on doing the whole course at a college or training provider. I think the only reason you may go to one of these places for training in this type of course, is to do some practical training.

 

[Essex1]

Welcome to the forum and good luck.  

eodneil will give you very sound advice on this subject. 

 

[Garethf619]

Can you list the qualifications? This is important because so many people get ripped off with being sold the wrong or very poor qualifications which aren't recognised.

Have you tried researching for reviews on google? This well tell you a lot about the company.

It sounds like a good idea, but if you are serious I would plan on doing the whole course at a college or training provider. I think the only reason you may go to one of these places for training in this type of course, is to do some practical training.

 

[Garethf619]

What I was shown was

Part P Defined scope

C&G 2377

C&G 2382

Part P full scope

C&G 2392

C&G 2365 level 2

Unit 201/501

Unit 202

Unit 203

Unit 204

Unit 210

C&G 2365 level 3

Unit 301,302,303,304,305

Unit 308

C&G 2394

C&G 2395

 

[eodneil]

Ok the only qualifications you need to do are;

• Level 2 Diploma in Electrical installations (2365)
• Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (2365)
• and when you are are working in the industry you need to enrol on the 2357-44 NVQ as the final qualification.

Part P course/qualification is a load of BS and the rest I would leave until you have completed the above 3 so that you have a better idea of what the qualificaions entail and whether you need them or not.

Honestly don't be duped into buying a load of qualifications because they sound good.

Neil

 

[Garethf619]

Thanks

The problem I've got is that to do the level 3 it's work based and I couldn't afford to leave work to do it.

Least with trade gateway they sort u a placement to train

Ok the only qualifications you need to do are;

• Level 2 Diploma in Electrical installations (2365)
• Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (2365)
• and when you are are working in the industry you need to enrol on the 2357-44 NVQ as the final qualification.

Part P course/qualification is a load of BS and the rest I would leave until you have completed the above 3 so that you have a better idea of what the qualificaions entail and whether you need them or not.

Honestly don't be duped into buying a load of qualifications because they sound good.

Neil

 

[eodneil]

Thanks

The problem I've got is that to do the level 3 it's work based and I couldn't afford to leave work to do it.

Least with trade gateway they sort u a placement to train

If that's the case then you'll never be a qualified Electrician and you'll stay in the same job. At some point you will have to jump ship to do the level 3 NVQ and work as an Electrical Improver, No decent contractor will employ you as an Electrician with the qualifications you have stated and no real site experience.

What do you mean they "Sort you a placement to train"? Is this with a contractor or just at their workshop?

Sorry I don't mean to sound harsh but I have experienced people getting miss-sold course packages in the past and its a lot of money to waste.

Neil

 

[Garethf619]

No I appreciate you telling me how it is,

I ment to say that I was talking about the first two parts I'd do as a home based coarse but once I was at the level 3 which I know is work base training. That would be the time I'd leave my current job

Sorry I wasn't very clear,

If that's the case then you'll never be a qualified Electrician and you'll stay in the same job. At some point you will have to jump ship to do the level 3 NVQ and work as an Electrical Improver, No decent contractor will employ you as an Electrician with the qualifications you have stated and no real site experience.

What do you mean they "Sort you a placement to train"? Is this with a contractor or just at their workshop?

Sorry I don't mean to sound harsh but I have experienced people getting miss-sold course packages in the past and its a lot of money to waste.

Neil

I'd be working with a selection of contractors they have

What do you mean they "Sort you a placement to train"? Is this with a contractor or just at their workshop?

Sorry I don't mean to sound harsh but I have experienced people getting miss-sold course packages in the past and its a lot of money to waste.

Neil

 

[eodneil]

I would love to know if this is correct, I know many Electrical Contractors but I couldn't just schedule in some new trainees with them whenever I like, again do some research and even try to ask a former student of theirs if this is the case because it just sounds like a load broken promises. To complete the NVQ you will need to be working for someone not just on a temporary work placement no and again.

It may be worth some Electrical Contractors from the forum giving their input on this because I cannot prove that this doesn't happen, but I know I don't have 10 Contractors on tap to give them some trainees to work with them.

 

[Essex1]

I have never heard of this but it does sound like a great idea and a great way to get the apprentices a wide range in work.

 

[Garethf619]

I've got someone from the collage coming to meet me tomorrow afternoon so after that I should have more of an idea

I would love to know if this is correct, I know many Electrical Contractors but I couldn't just schedule in some new trainees with them whenever I like, again do some research and even try to ask a former student of theirs if this is the case because it just sounds like a load broken promises. To complete the NVQ you will need to be working for someone not just on a temporary work placement no and again.

It may be worth some Electrical Contractors from the forum giving their input on this because I cannot prove that this doesn't happen, but I know I don't have 10 Contractors on tap to give them some trainees to work with them.

 

[NozSpark]

If he's coming to see you then he sounds like a salesman..... think double glazing and I'm sure that your experience will be quite similar.

IMHO... do the courses at a local college at night school

 

[eodneil]

I have never heard of this but it does sound like a great idea and a great way to get the apprentices a wide range in work.

Yes it is mate, I have something like this in the pipeline for the future, to give trainees onsite experience during their training, but to promise it to every student a placement so they can complete their NVQ I think will be a bit unrealistic... I could be wrong though and maybe a bigger provider could offer this.

If he's coming to see you then he sounds like a salesman..... think double glazing and I'm sure that your experience will be quite similar.

Good advice Gareth

Normally these guys have no technical knowledge or qualifications but have the gift of the gab and will make you believe all sorts, just take everything with a pinch of salt and don't sign anything in haste, at least take some time to dwell on it if you go against our advice.