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

 

[paulred75]

Wallicio, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! Currently picking up AMA 3's after having a break for a couple of months due to being busy wih a new job. I'm looking forward to getting back for week 3 sometime soon.

All the best, Paul

 

[dimspark]

I've been speaking to Access 2 Trade, not overly impressed with the people I spoke to over the phone, I've been quoted £5995 which I have been told is non negotiable. Anyone any tips on how to go about getting the £5495 price that I've seen a quoted on here. £5.5k was push but £6k seems extortionate. Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Mac]

I've been speaking to Access 2 Trade, not overly impressed with the people I spoke to over the phone, I've been quoted £5995 which I have been told is non negotiable. Anyone any tips on how to go about getting the £5495 price that I've seen a quoted on here. £5.5k was push but £6k seems extortionate. Any advice would be much appreciated!

This course is nearly half the price and just as good.
Electrical Training Courses Tec20: Comprehensive Courses for Electricians and Non-Electrical Persons

 

[pete3]

Hi Wallicio, i see you are waiting your first practical i have just started and have done AMA1.2 so far, i am wondering how long you have to wait to get booked onto a practical week and when is the next one. The impression i got was you dont have to wait very long is this correct.

 

[wallicio]

Hi Pete3,

The next day they got back to me with a full list of course dates with vacancies, soonest course is a fortnight If by the time i replied they still had a vacancy on it, got to ok it with the boss first and hopefully get away last week of November.

How are you getting on with your AMA's?

Wallicio
Padwan Learner

 

[pete3]

Walicio,

I've done the first six AMA's and am going on the first practical at the end of November ( 30th - 4th) the week before was fully booked.

Pete3

 

[Careful]

Hi Guys,
I've got a rep from Access2 trade coming to see me on Weds 18th Nov. Still very wary of signing up for the course but I found your comments reassuring!

Just wondering how Guitar Graham, Pete3 and Wallicio are getting on, should I go for it?

 

[wallicio]

Thats a shame Pete3, I got 7-11 Dec as work has and will be mad and its the only week i can get, looks like you will have to update me on the 5th before i head off on the 6th. exciting times eh!

You banged out your AMA's quickly didnt you? took me a while to do the last 3. Glad i have had to wait a little while though, am goiing over them a lot so everything is crystal before the first practical week, dont wanna turn up and fluff it.

Careful, relax, the course so far for me is good. yes there are others out there at a fraction of the price but to be fair you do get what you pay for with access2trade, learning is at your own pace and they are only a call/e-mail away if you dont quite get something. for me I dont think i could do a 20 day course, for 1 i couldnt afford to lose 20days+pay and i cant see my employer letting me have that amount of time off and 2 i dont think i could learn that quickly. Its each to their own and it is your decision mate.

Its the end result that matters anyway doesnt it, not the route in but the qualifications and experience. Something where you can earn decent money by applying a bit of brain, rather that carting boxes around on a forklift, well thats why i want to get into it anyways.

Good luck Pete3!


Wallicio
Padwan Learner

 

[pete3]

Thats a shame you got the week after me.
Yes i did manage the AMA's quite quickly, i was doing it full time though, about 8 hours a day. I am going ot use the next two weeks to go over everything a few more times as it was all beginning to bounce off a bit at the end.
I could have got on a practical next week, and the week after was fully booked, so they do appear to run the practicals every week.

As to the cost, yes it is a lot of money but compared to the IT industry where i came from, a weeks training would cost anything from 1000 to 1800 GBP not including VAT i think this course is quite good value.

Good luck on your week.

Pete

 

[Careful]

Thanks for the reply Wallicio, I agree with your thoughts on the 20 day course, there's no way you could be up to scratch in such a short time. I think I may well bite the bullet and go for it!
Good luck for 7th to 11th Dec!!!!

 

[dimspark]

I'm in the process of signing up with Access2Trade largely due to this post and the helpful people who have submitted info on it.
On another post a member has posted this with regards to the qualifications we will gain on the course:
"Maybe if you want to become a professional electrician you should be looking at the C&G 2330 and the 2356, coupled with the part p and the 2382. This will train you in domestic, commercial and industrial environments. The courses you mentioned only have domestic elements and you will not be a qualified "electrician"."
Is this the case as I haven't signed the cheque yet!!
Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[Besim10]

Hmm

A familiar quote. The information is 100% correct but don't just take my word for it. Here is some helpful information from independant bodies:-

City and Guilds
02072942468

JIB
02083020031

Mention you want to be a qualified 'electrician' and ask them what qualifications you would need.

Try this link:-

Electrician Job Profile

A common misconception is training providers offering a domestic installers course with part p, 17th edition, 2392 (initial verification) and 2391 (inspection testing) and calling it a 'Professional Electrician' course. However a glorified 'Domestic Installer' is what they should call it as you are restricted to only working in domestic environments. A qualified 'Electrician' is multiskilled and is elligible to work in commercial, industrial and commercial environments. They are recognised in the trade as being skilled and can further their training such as working in power stations and factories.

Choose your course wisely and don't always take answers as face value. It's important to do your background research.

Good luck

 

[guitargraham]

Hi i started this course back in Feb 2009 and next week i go away to do my 3rd week, the 17th Edtion and the G & G 2392-10 Level 2. on passing these i can then apply to join 1 of the governing bodies and work as Domestic Electrician.
This is what i started this course to do and a couple of lads i met in March on week 1 are now doing that.
I signed up for the full course and people i have spoken with say that if i get the C & G 2391-10 level 3 and the C & G 2377-12 Level 3 then the worlds my oyster?

So far i feel money well spent and i will give my update to this when i retun, hopefully with good news ??????????

 

[dimspark]

Hi Graham, and as I said earlier, thanks for starting this post as it has proved really useful so far. Besim has made me rethink my options a little though. I do intend to work in the domestic market but I also have customers in offices, warehouses schools etc who definitely want me to do their electrical work when I'm qualified(I currently work as a data installer). I'm still a little confused as to whether Access 2 Trade will give me the qualifications necessary to be able to do this??? Guess I better keep on with the research!

 

[guitargraham]

Hi has far has i understand there are no regulations for commercial work other than you are a competant person unlike domistic where you have to be Part P? somebody may correct me.

But of all the courses out there i have not come across any bad feedback back about Access2Trade?

You do what feel best for you and good luck

Graham