Access 2 Tade Careers

[guitargraham]

Hi all, as promised in previous thread update of Access2trade training module (for the background on this check out thread “help needed”).
First thing to say is 10 out of 10, the training facility is brand new but caters for all required news, the only down side is poor lunch time menu, but what was on offer was OK.
There were 13 of us doing the course from a cross section of people including a lass from Scotland, and what a great bunch they all were, sure makes a difference to learning when you are all paying for it yourself.
First day and half was spent in the classroom doing theory then out to the workshop.
Purpose built wooden rooms which became our home for two and a half days.
There we installed a consumer unit, did the earth bonding and then installed and wired a light socket with single switch with a ELV spotlight connected via a junction box and a second light working from 2 switches, this might not sound like much but to 13 newbie’s it was a work of ART?
We then dead tested all circuits for earth loop impendence, Zs etc using a very impressive Megger tester, £800 worth we were told?
Then we connected up to the mains and switched on, or not? But we all pitched in helping each other to sort out all the little niggles.
Then back to the classroom and more studying, more tests and then a brief on are part 2 studying module and what we need to do before we return for the second weeks training.
All in all a cracking week with a great bunch of people and a great bunch of tutors who had all the time in the world to spend with us all, but especially are main tutor Wade a totally top class guy, hope I have him next time.
Have included a photo of my work booth with my lights on, sad but I was chuffed to bits to install it all and see it work.

Regards till next update.

Graham

 

[Sparky Sian]

Re: Access2trade careers

Guitar Graham, how are you finding this course? Have you been looking at job prospects for when you finish?

Is there much support during your learning? Considering the course but very wary of the negative posts on some of the forums out there. This is alot of money at the end of the day

 

[guitargraham]

Re: Access2trade careers

Hi Sian

found the course content very good, bear in mind we did 6 solid hours a day for 5 days thats 30 hours in 1 week which is like 2 hours a week on an evening course, ie 2 terms to get to where i am now.

Back up is fantastic wether working at home or on the training course.

not looked at jobs, i am looking at working for myself, thinking of starting off doing handyman jobs then picking up minor electrical work as i go along, but i have got my taxi badge so i can put some shifts in to keep the pennies rolling in.

Working full time at the moment so waiting to get my paid holidays out of the way, hopefully get my part P when i do my 2nd module at the end of July then start punting for work on my weekends off and in the evening.

Cheers Graham

 

[colinhills]

Re: Access2trade careers

hi mate i have done week 2 already and and doing week 3 in aug as first one i can get on. make sure you study as part p test is on monday. also the work placement thay promise is not true and still tringin to find placement for myself. crouse is good and lean a lot but still need that bit of experince. also week 3 has 2 big test one on monday and other on wednesday
hope this helps and if you have any questions please ask

 

[guitargraham]

Re: Access2trade careers

Hi Colin

glad to hear from you, i was told that on the Monday we sit the EAL Domestic Electrical
Installers Course (Part P) and only had to know the building regs?

Hope you passed everthing, i was'nt expecting them to find me work placement, but help with CV and things.

Any other study tips would be cool

Cheers

Graham

 

[guitargraham]

Re: Access2trade careers

Hi to all interested my week 2 update?

Monday morning arrive at centre 8.30, quick brief & coffee break then up to the exam room for Part P exam.

Short intro then a practise session to get used to how the programme works then the online exam.

13 out of 14 pass, happy days i pass?

Rest of week we do 6 more AMAs, 1 lad fail 2 and then struggles with resits and the head tutour suggests he goes home and re-studies and comes back and does it again, with no extra cost which i thought was good.

Pratical we hade to install a consumer unit with bondings and then a cooker outlet with socket and a ring main with a a spur socket and then do dead testing and then live testing, recording results and completing a installation certificate.

On Friday afternoon they perpared us for are 3rd weeks training for the 17th edtion with are new books to study including THE BIG RED BOOK and then talked through the ADIABATIC EQUATION you could see people brains runnings out of there ears, then said " its OK its all in the on site guide " then at 4.45 sent us home.

Really enjoyed myself with a great group of people ones again and cant wait to get stuck into my next batch of study.

Regards

Graham

 

[guitargraham]

Re: Access2trade careers

Hi
for those interested i have just completed my 2nd training module and i am now Part P quilified.

The week was tuff, arrived at training centre 8.15 in to classroom at 8.30 for quick Part P brief, break for smoke and coffee then at 11.00 up to the exam room, quick run down on how the prograame works then a mock exam to get us used to the system then onto the Part P exam, 13 out if 14 passed.

Rest of the week was split between classroom and workshop were we installed a cu a cooker supply with socket/swich and a ring main with a fused spur. Then did all the bonding, ded and live tests filling out a installation cert as we went.

In the class room we had 6 AMAs along the way and some of them were tuff, 1 lad failed 2 and then struggled with the re-sits and on Thursday morning they suggested he go home and re-study and do the full week again at a later date.

Friday was spend getting us ready for are next training module week which includes the 17th Edition exam, so we were all given the BIG RED BOOK, boy what a cracking read?????????????

Then in the afternoon they explaind the ADIABATIC EQUATION ? you could see peoples brians running out of there ears? then said " but you don't need to know it because is at the back of the OSG " finally left at 5.00 totally knackared.

Now have to study and complete 13 on-line AMAs before i can book my next training week, think it will take 2 to 3 months because there is a lot to learn.

Regards

Graham

 

[paulred75]

Re: Access2trade careers

Just completed the 2nd week myself at the beginning of August, It really does need to be said that the guys who do the training down there are absolutley spot on!

My week was exactly as you said Graham, may also be worth mentioning if any one is going to week 2 to make sure you know your building regs other than those in Part P. The online exam is set into 3 sections:

1) Demonstrate an understanding of what are building regulations and approved documents (4 Q's)
2) Demonstrate an understanding of Approved Document P (7 Q's)
3) Demonstrate an understanding of other applicable building regulations and approved documents (9 Q's)

I'll rack my brains to think of some example questions that I had to give an idea.

 

[Sean b23]

Re: Access2trade careers

Hi there. I'm also thinking about doing this course. I was hoping to find more info about it than what is posted here. has anybody actually completed the course?

They say their careers department can help find you work and the guy I've been speaking to says they generally don't have people leaving the course without having a job to go into(not exactly a promise, but he sounded very positive about it). I can get a loan to do the course, which isn't such a bad thing if they get me work half the way through, like they say they will.

Colin, have they helped find you employment yet? Is there anyone else on the course who can tell me anything about the employment side of things here?

Graham, are any of the people doing the course with you having the same problems as Colin here as regards employment?

 

[Mac]

Re: Access2trade careers

What is this course costing you mate,£6000.This company will do the same thing at less than 1/2 the price.
Electrical Training Courses Tec20: Comprehensive Courses for Electricians and Non-Electrical Persons

 

[colinhills]

Re: Access2trade careers

hi guys the teachers and great but the rest are not very good. have only started to send emails about jobs that they find on the net from places like gumtree and total jobs. found own job in end after long time searching, be ready not to work untill after week 3 and not 2 like they say.

 

[m4tty]

Re: Access2trade careers

Looking through the qualifications that you get but cant see the C&G 2330 anywhere. Surely this is the most important qualification to get as it teaches you background knowledge and aint it the one that apprentiships would study??

 

[guitargraham]

Re: Access2trade careers

Hi all

Thanks Sean for re-lighting this thread.

I am finding the course fantastic and really enjoying it, but i am finding the 3rd lot of course work a bit harder, which is only what you would expect as is for the 17th Edition exam.

The company is still fairly new so things are improving all the time, i started getting e-mails from them after i finished week 2 training with help for wtiting CV and business start up help and jobs they have found in my area. I dont expect a mirale from them to find me a job but its nice to know they are trying.

Hi Colin, i pressume you have done your third week? how did it go, good i hope. PM me if you could with any tips???

Hi M4tty, not sure what 2330 is, but if i want to join governing body like ELECSA i need the 2382 level 10 17th edition, unless i am mistaken.

Cheers Graham

 

[Sean b23]

Re: Access2trade careers

Hmmm, now I'm rethinking.... The course Mac has highlighted is looking more tempting to me.

A lot more crammed into a smaller space of time though. The thing i liked about the access2 course was the space of time to get your head around it, but it does seem very expensive in comparison to the TEC20 and even the TEC30(both of which contain more modules).

I guess it all depends on what time you have spare.

 

[paulred75]

Re: Access2trade careers

By the nature of these types of courses you wouldn't be able to individually compare them like for like. I mean, you aint gonna do one and then the other and see which was best. So all you can do is get the feedback from the people who are doing the courses.
I'm currently doing the Access2Trade course and from my experience I have only positive experiences from what I have been doing. The guys who do the practical and theory on the weeks with them have been very helpfull and also in touch with the real world. The learning methods between modules consist of self researching theory and online testing. This again fits in well with you lifestyle as I can either do as much or as little as I like depending on how I feel / how busy I am etc..
Yes the cost is high, but I do not feel as though any quality is being compromised.

Well there's my two pennys worth. All the best!

 

[wallicio]

Hi guys,

I am on the Access2Tradecareers course and I have just finished AMA1.6 and awaiting placement on my first practical course, I must admit for someone who hasn't had is head in a book for over 10 years the process of which they set you learning objectives in my eyes are excellent.
Yes this course is costly but there is no time frame for your coursework, its at your own pace which eleviates so much pressure for you. And cost wise, at a little over £100 a month for the next 4-5 years, you dont really notice it.
Its the same kind of expense as your Mrs getting a new motor on tap. Except you will be on triple what your wages are by the time you have paid it off, well for a ForkLift truck Driver like me anyways.

Got any tips for the first practical session?

Wallicio
Padwan Learner