2330 Advice

[Bri Watt]

Hi guys, I've seen similar threads regarding C&G 2330, I am looking for some advice specific to me, and was wondering if you could help me.

I work as a general handyman, among the many none electrical jobs I do, I've also replaced socket-outlets, control switches and ceiling roses.

Wanting to be able to carry out more indepth electrical work i.e. shower and cooker installations, adding to circuits and being unable to get work signed via a regulating body; I studied for and passed my City & Guilds 2330 NVQ Level 2 and my 17th Edition Wiring Regulations.

I am currently studying City & Guilds 2330 Technical Certificate Level 3.
2330 level 2 was great but after 3 or 4 months of level 3 I feel I have learnt nothing, or nothing that helps me.
Alot of (all of) the course seems to be theory to industrial and commercial, and Health and Safety on building sites etc.
All I'm after is something that will help me with the work I do/may do in peoples homes.

I contacted Niceic; they said as I've already got the 17th Edition I could get assessed and become an Niceic Domestic Installer.

Now I'm thinking of leaving my 2330 level 3 as I've gained nothing so far this school year, and saving my cash to get the test equipment required and pay Niceic fees for competent assessment etc.
A friend wants me to rewire their house in the summer, so I think that will probably be the best thing for me to be assessed on and will give me time enough to save for fee's.

I'm just wondering;
- am I shooting myself in the foot dropping out of 2330?
- does anyone know what the domestic assessment consists of?

Any advice greatly appreciated.
Brian

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

I dont think its a question of legality, It is not illegal for joe bloggs to get a van put"bloggs electrical" on the side and go wire a house, its when it burns to the ground with the occupants inside is when the crap hits the fan.

Its the same with any trade, I was i self employed joiner for 12 years from school before I branched out, Its not ilegal for me to be a joiner without qualifications but if I put a dodgy roof on and it falls in on someone asleep and kills them then i need to prove i knew what i was doing,quals do that......to some extent!!

The qualifications are there to protect the contractor and client in say a small claims situation should something go wrong,or worse, if you have done the 2330 levels 2 and 3,the 17th and 2392 then you can say in a court that you technically "should" know more than joe bloggs.

Paying labc a small admin fee if you have a good set of quals sounds good to me, and makes perfect sense, im not really up to speed on it. If people who take the EAL domestic installer scheme manage to fluke their way through it on the day,its those people that need the regular check ups, once a year is not enough

 

[Bri Watt]

Approx £100+ v.a.t , so u can see the benefit of paying niceic, elecsa or napit £400 a year!
being involved in the college i get to speak to lots of sparks, a lot self employed and some who work for bigger firms and do foreigners, Im being straight with you when i tell you less than 10% ever notify, the attitude is tell the customer its £100 per visit, tell them they have to pay and then the decision is theirs.

Problem is that at the end of the day it all comes down to money,competition and winning jobs, imagine you are installing a few fcu's and sockets in a new kitchen, that is notifiable work, if you charged £200 to do the job then another £117 for the labc visit then thats £317, your fellow electrician, your main rival decides not to notify and gives the customer the choice and then does the job £25 less(maybe he has stock left over), then his price for the same job is £175, you can bet which one they choose.

I'm thinking joining Elecse/Napit/Niceic competent person scheme at £400+ a year after finishing my 2330 (as I feel confident with my testing to pass the competent person scheme)
Then in the future look at 2391 if I feel like expanding into certifying work.
Would that be a valid career path?

EDIT: As I'm getting a little confused as to my best options. Is usingElecsa/Napit/Niceic etc a bad thing?

 

[peterbay]

So with the aim to be doing Domestic self employed, my best avenue is to complete my 2330 level 3, I already have my 17th, then register with Niceic?

Will I need to do the competency scheme if I have 2330?

If I do still need to the competency scheme is 2391 the way i can cert work?

If you get in touch with Niceic they will tell you what qualifications you will need.
As for 2392 Inspection and Testing course is design for learners and electricans who have not done much electrical work and therefore are not confidant.
Whilst 2391 Inspection and Testing is the bigger verision mainly aimed at perdioc inspections which you really need experience as the exam is differcult.

All the best

 

[pushrod]

Thanks for the detailed answers Llandrillo