Another should i, shouldnt i do the course thread!?

MikeThePrinter · Jul 3, 2009

I'm new to this site, been reading the threads for last couple of hours about electrical quals and course etc, i'm basically asking the same questions as in most threads but hopefully all in one, and opefully not too much of a mixed response as i've read!? its got me so confused with all the conflicting answers etc!

I'm currently a printer (hence the username!), i earn decent enough money, but am looking to make a change in my career and i've always wanted to be an electrician.
I have limited experiance, i've done a couple of re-wires with an electrician, and worked between shifts on site doing the domestic related wiring on new build apartment blocks under supervision, then on my own i've added spurs, added into main rings, changed sockets and just some general domestic stuff.

I've been looking at doing a "professional Electrical Course" with Access Training, in Cardiff, i've been down there, been shown around whilst courses were happening, all looked pretty decent and the courses are always 2 or 3 waiting list if booking on etc, the walkaround and information has led me to believe this is my best option as i can do the course between my shifts as i have 14 or 19 days off every 7.5 weeks, i asked the owner about employment after the course and he said i'd still have to start as an electricians mate, as experiance is required and a part of completing the course requires on site inspection, and also said even after that i'd still be a mate until the employer was happy, which could be upto the 2yrs many need, but some even in the first 6 months if they are good and the fact the quals are there, that makes me see him as realistic?????

The course states that i would have 2 years to complete the course, but from talking to him he said i could do it in 6-12 months with my time off blocks and commitment

the below is stated as the qualifications from the course

Part P EAL Domestic Electrical Installer - Full Scope.
The 17th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations - City & Guilds 2382.
Certificate in Fundamental Inspection and Testing - City & Guilds 2392-10.

**the guy did say to me he wouldnt wanna put me onto next qual until i got my head around the above for a while????

Inspection, Testing & Certification of Electrical Installations - City & Guilds 2391-10.

the course is about £4500 all in, based on modular training with a total of 4 weeks to complete the practical training, assessments and exams at the centre

At the moment this is my only option as i cant afford to do an apprenticeship and it fits in with work, i'm caught in the monaey trap as some may say, and next yr i will be in a far better position to take the drop to mates rates, i just want to get an idea of if the course is what i need to be an electrician, and if i will be on mates rates for at least 2yrs, also if i can do the course, get a mates job and be legally allowed to do my own electrical work to help with the drop in money???????

sorry for the length of this, im just trying to think of the other threads and get everything in

thanks in advance
Mike

montybaber · Jul 3, 2009

Light guage! I only use stainless these days

and regarding pyro I know its still used im afraid its been scrapped from the AM2 i believe

and before this conversation revolves into a monty python sketch im getting my head down

bazza2541 · Jul 3, 2009

You'd waste stainless to teach a young fella a lesson?

madeinengland · Jul 3, 2009

where's the 2330 qualification in this place? i thought that's the one you need before doing any others. if it can take up to 2 years to do at this place you might as well go to college for a 3rd of the price. i've just finished my 2330 L3. ok it's taken 3 years to do but i've got 2330 now. you won't have.the 2392 will take me 10 weeks and 17th will take 3 weeks. if you really wanted you could do these 2 courses in the final year of your 2330.i could of done but personally did'nt fancy work all day then college monday,tuesday and wednesday nights. you may be different though. if you can get work with your uncle and you can afford to live on the wage you'll get as a mate then to be hoinest with you i think you've answered your own question.

good luck with what you decide.

MikeThePrinter · Jul 3, 2009

there lies the problem though, if it was a case of being able to do the college for the 2330 then obv it would be worth it for the extra year and saving on the course, but i MUST work on a half decent wage wilst doing it, which is why asking does the fasttrack give the qualifications needed otherwise, the answered on their own seem to easy at the moment, as they all boil down to one thing, MONEY, and if there is no way i could afford to be a mate with time off for college then i'd have to do the fasttrack anyway, but i dont want to waste my time if it wont get me where i wanna be, but sounds slightly appealing if i do it thn gain experience through working as a mate 5 days a week without having to lose any pay to go to college!
same stuff im writing i know, but thanx for providing your opinions and answers as they have left me with some serious choice making to do!

madeinengland · Jul 3, 2009

yeah i understand i really do. i'm not dissimilar to you myself. i'm not in the trade and i've done the 2 nights a week college route and am now at the stage where i ask myself do i leave the job i'm doing to become a 31 yr old boy? can i afford to take the drop in wages? or do i go to college and do 17th regs and 2392 and 2391 and part p etc. the biggest problem i have with it all is this NVQ thing. the jib say you need it to be a''qualified electrician''. but everyone you phone to see about work asks ''do you have the 17th edition and 2391''. not a single mention of NVQ.

bazza2541 · Jul 3, 2009

Is the NVQ not a very ambigous thing?
I got my JIB card from my electricians certificate which came off an NVQ (although its a long time ago now) which in turn was granted off a mixture of my Irish and UK qualifications. In my experience the NVQ is not hard to get.

Risteard · Jul 3, 2009

bazza2541 said:
Can you be in Letterkenny for monday at 8am?

I only live about 20 miles from Letterkenny but just started a week-long stint through a recruitment agency today!

Non Sense · Jul 3, 2009

Have you thought of working with your uncle then look to get a modern apprenticeship, this involves 2330 L2 & L3 and NVQ3 and Keyskills the best part the Gov Pays - wish i had known this two yrs ago would have saved me £800 on course fees for the 2330.
Jas