Advice please!!!

[Alexw]

Hi everyone! I am looking to re train and hopefully one day become electrician as being made redundant in oct has made me look to better myself. I have enrolled to start college in sept On the c&g 2330 level 2 and after reading alot on the Internet and various forums was wondering if this is the right path to take with the c&g 2357 being spoke of alot!! Any advice would be really helpful!! Thanks

 

[Paul.M]

Welcome to the forum Alex. The 2330 is changing into the 2357 as from next year so they are the same course but just the number is changing. Ask your college about it.

 

[Alexw]

Thanks for the reply Paul!! I have spoken to them and they have said I should do the 2330 l2 and will still be able to do the level 3 next year! Am just a little worried about Completing the L2 and not being able to start L3!( 2330) they also said the 2357 is more apprentice aimed!

 

[malcolmsanford]

http://www.electriciansforums.net/electricians-unite-jobs-your-area/39426-smas-de-skilling-our-industry.html

All I can say mate is before you think of retraining into our industry have a read of this thread, if it is true as it seems to be, then there may not be much of an industry to retrain into

 

[Big n Daft]

Joinery.....................
Tis the way forward ma' boy.
The leccy games knackered.

 

[Alexw]

Not loving these words of encouragement!! £700 not well sent then??

 

[malcolmsanford]

"Speak to me words of comfort Jacob" to quote a Dickens classic

" I have none to give" was the reply and to be honest in this climate the quote is very relevant to the electrical industry.

 

[Alexw]

I understand where your coming from!! But I am 100% committed to my life changing decession! But your advice and warnings have been taken on board!! Thanks for your input

 

[Mark F]

I personally think it's best if you can get a job in the industry first (as a mate or labourer) before starting college. It gives you time to learn the basic aspects of the job from the best folk to teach you (the older hands).

Be prepared for a long learning period with LOTS of ups and downs (i started in the industry in 2005, finished my 2330 last year, it was 4 and a half year night course, funded by me and me alone, and i'm still not qualified yet... Problems maintaining work at the moment mean i can't afford to be spending on the NVQ course to build my portfolio... though i do get a lot of work compared to most folk, i've started having to manage periods of several weeks between jobs by taking anything going)

It's a volatile industry at the best of times, i started for a company where i learned a hell of a lot from folk who wouldn't accept anything slightly off (IMO that put me in a better position than starting college first) but after a couple of years they went bust... I got in with a couple of agencies (didn't want to, but love the job and wanted to keep learning) and eventually got another full time job with another firm... 6 months later and BUMP again... Agencies since but the same few firms keep asking for me back WHEN they get work in.

To me, it's been worth the sacrifice of 4 and a half years of long work weeks with low pay IF i can eventually get qualified, but the criteria for becoming a spark can change, meaning you have to almost start from scratch. Be prepared for things popping up that seem to get in your way, and endless training for different aspects of the job (i'm mainly talking commercial/industrial).

All this assumes you know nothing (as i did), there's a lot more to becoming a qualified spark than wiring and testing. Oh and brush up on algebra and maths in general, will help a lot with fuse / cable / power factor calculations etc

 

[Big n Daft]

Still Jionery

 

[Mark F]

Still Jionery

Maybe, i found this forum today based on texts i've been getting from other lads this last week, and i have no idea what to do or aim for, as if the JIB does break down (i think it already has tbh) then what standards do i need to be trained to etc...

If i was looking at starting now i'd hold off until i knew where i stood, as it is i'm 90% of the way there now, but in 10 months time the quals i have may mean nothing...

 

[Alexw]

Thanks Mark for the great reply!! I do know alittle about the industry and have a few friends who are quallified!! I plan to do some labouring for them in-between college and some lorry diving!! ( to pay the bills) I understand it will be a Long and difficult path but if you want something bad enough and work hard then hopefully that will be enough!! Thanks again

 

[malcolmsanford]

I think the JIB will remain as an entity if only for training and the ECS part of it. They will evolve into what is another thing.

 

[Mark F]

Something else to bear in mind is that 90% of what you learn in college, you'll probably never use again, and 90% of what the job entails, you will only learn on the job (ie not in college).

Take your time, and learn to know your limitations (i've seen how some companies operate, and what they expect apprentices to do, and it can be dangerous). If you think you need help or advice, ask for it instead if thinking you can handle things. Most of the experienced lads out there are only too willing to help, or have a good laugh at a stupid question. Better to have a laugh about something silly than put anyone at risk from a little mistake.

 

[Mark F]

I think the JIB will remain as an entity if only for training and the ECS part of it. They will evolve into what is another thing.

Possibly, but Corgi went very quickly, so i wouldn't be suprised if the JIB became second fiddle to some other entity that comes to set the standards...