All these courses are confusing me - starting from scratch

[davgen7]

Hi guys

I'm 18, and have just finished A-levels. However, I have become painfully aware of the fact that Uni does not necessarily equate to a good job like it used to, and based on my phobia of ending up in a desk job have decided to look into becoming an electrician

My father is a gasfitter and is supportive of this idea, and I would much prefer to work with my hands and see the end result of my effort rather than blindly working in an office building to (ultimately) make some rich bloke even richer

However, I have looked quite a bit at the various courses available and while there is no shortage of the availability of these courses to me, I am pretty much clueless about which ones are necessary or directly helpful

From what I understand, I require a 17th Edition, and a level 3 NVQ or City & Guilds qualification (having done the first two levels obviously) to be classed as competent

Other than that I'm baffled. I'm in my summer holiday, bored, and want to get started on this sooner rather than later (especially seen as I'm pretty sure I'm going to be kicked out of home soon and without a job life is going to be very difficult)

Please help me I've looked around at similar questions but not found anything particularly clear

On a side note, what do you guys make of the fast-track courses on offer? I'd obviously much rather get it done sooner rather than later as doing the training full-time is not a problem (I managed to save up a couple of grand from past jobs) but I am conscious that the quality of learning on offer might suffer somewhat

Thanks in advance
David

 

[GMES]

Hi David and welcome along to the forum, you have come to the right place for advice we have loads of Trainees on the forum who will help you through what can seem like a minefield of courses.
I am sure someone will be happy to help once they see your thread.

 

[Karin]

hey, looks like you've already got it sussed - the NVQ3 and 17th are what you're aiming for to start. don't bother with any other 'installer' package. that means c&g 2365 level 2 is the first thing to start on.

the fast track packages are a way to get the qualifications soonest, which will help with an understanding with what you're doing when you get on site, but a lot of training providers will only be teaching you what you need to pass the exam and contribute to their pass rate.. i'd spent a bit of time on site before joining onto the 2365 level 3 with a lot of people whom this was their first stop in electrical installation - i don't think another person asked a single question while i was rinsing the tutor for every bit of information i could gather, based on things i'd come across elsewhere, so i feel like i probably got more out of the course than other people.
but it's a means to an ends - it might make it easier to get a job and then you can learn quicker on site.

same kinda thing with the 17th edition. it's easy to pass with no experience as every answer is in the book, and it's useful to have early on with regards to getting a job, but as i did it before any other course then some bits went right over my head and i know i missed out on some good stuff!

i ended up working with some sparks before starting all this, and i'd definitely say it's good to get on site as soon as possible to help with understanding and experience, so taking the ECS test (not difficult and practise questions online) and applying for an electrical labourer card as soon as you can would be a smart move (it can take up to two months before they bother to process your application!!)

can't say for sure if there's a better way than the training centres (like college or something) considering you are 18, but the younger mates/improvers that i've spoken to are all doing the same courses regardless so i believe that's pretty standard now. maybe someone else can clarify shortly.

hope any of that ramble helps! feel free to ask anything more.

oh yeah, and unless you're really lucky, there will be a lot of putting up with shıt to make some rich bloke even richer for a while at least..

 

[davgen7]

Thanks mate - I'm finally starting to get what I have to do!! Another member sent me a message detailing pretty much the same thing aswell, so I am now sure of what is needed, and I can make a start (thankfully, because I'm extremely bored).

Thanks again for your detailed and immensely helpful reply.

David

 

[davesparks]

I was in pretty much the same position when I left sixth form, 18 with a handful of A-levels and no job.

My grandad stepped in and arranged an interview for an electrician's apprenticeship at the local building company he had worked for as a decorator about 50 years earlier.

Needless to say I got the job and have been learning this trade ever since.

You are still within the age bracket to get a fully funded regular apprenticeship as far as I know, and there should be time to get on to the college course to start in September.

Remember that when you go to an interview for an apprenticeship you are also interviewing them to see if you want to work for them. Don't settle for the first job offer you get, go with the best one.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[davgen7]

Thanks mate. Relieved to know that I'm getting into something worth doing for a long time (unlike most of my mates it seems).

David

 

[starni999]

Hi David,
I see you are in Birmingham, depending on where abouts you are you could try either EEF or Birmingham Electrical Training. My last apprentice has just been through EEF at Aston for his NVQ, and they were really good and helpful.
https://www.eef.org.uk/training/eef-training-centres