Advice needed

[martingstacey]

Hi guys

I'm in massive need of advice cause as I feel like I'm smashing my head against a brick wall at the moment. Its a bit long winded but bare with me cause without the background I cant get to the issue.

Having spent 15years in accounts I got made redundant and 2014 I decided to retrain, got a bit of assistance from the jobcentre (I kid you not) told them I wanted to retrain to become a 'fully qualified electrician' (note the fully qualified bit) they put me in touch with my local training provider, booked me on to various courses and put a contribution towards the training.

I completed

1. EAL level 3 Periodic inspection and testing
2. EAL level 3 Installing, testing and insuring compliance of electrical installations in dwelling
3. C&G Pat testing
4. EAL level 3 Initial verification and certification
5. C&G Building regs
6. C&G 17th Edition wiring regs to 2008(2011)
7. The training companies in-house introduction to electrics

In total study alone was in the region of £6558 + some exams + books and guides.

I was doing general labouring and work as an electricians mate while training and then on completion of the courses I got took on mid 2015 with a one man band doing a tonne of house bashing. Things didn't work out and mid 2016 I started doing work for myself from small repair jobs up to rewires. I've also done a fair amount for sub-contract work on a variety of projects from houses to retail outlets to national trust properties. The guy I sub to also does work on big factories and vehicle production plants. Unfortunately to work on those job i'd need an ECS gold card.

Finally heres my problem, to obtain an ECS gold card I need to be a 'fully qualified electrician' (see my original request to Jobcentre) I spoke to the training provider I did my qualifications with and apparently I now need to do

1. C&G 2365 level 2
2. C&G 2365 level 3
3. C&G 18th edition
4. AM2.

this is gonna cost me at least the same as whats already been spent (£6558) if not even more. Does anyone know if this is correct? is there any cross over exams that can be done instead of the full 2365 2&3 as most of the content the trainer said was in 2365 sounds identical to the studies I've already done.

I much prefer the commercial side of the job as house bashing gets a bit boring day in day out but I'm stuck without the gold card.

if any one has any knowledge of possible routes I'd love to hear them


cheers in advance

martin

 

[Deleted member 26818]

It doesn’t help that the City and Guilds keep changing the exams numbers and introducing all these new qualifications.

 

[Pete999]

It doesn’t help that the City and Guilds keep changing the exams numbers and introducing all these new qualifications.

Agree I Think it 's down to the CP scams for allowing this farce to continue.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Agree I Think it 's down to the CP scams for allowing this farce to continue.

Sorry, but I think it’s not so much them allowing, as them being the cause of it.
Saying that though, the IET are just as bad.

 

[sparkyrj]

I agree with you Mate, sign of the times I'm afraid, play by the rules or be forever dammed, stupid really but until we get someone that knows what it's all about, being an Electrician that is, this kind of stupidity is what we/ you have to adhere to.
The sooner Licensing electricians comes into force country wide, rather than all these pseudo qualifications the better, mind you this Forum may suffer due to lack of people complaining.
Sat back waiting for the doubters and soothsayers to find fault in my reply, but I have a thick skin, and a retiree it doesn't effect me at all. just saying my piece.

Yes I agree, a licence would have been an easy way but I suppose nobody would have made so much money out of that.