Apprentice wanting to progress

[Calum Jackson]

Evening Lads

Im currently a month away from finishing my apprenticeship. Im training to be a field service engineer. From this I'll get my NVQ in electrical testing and maintainence along with decent knowledge of domestic electrics. I dont plan on staying in this job forever and want to progress into electrical work, working on site as an installer or maintainence work till the point im an all around sparky. Im 22 so you dont need to tell me how long the road is and how much experience ect is required cause I know, I am not prepared to do a 2 week course wire a plug and swear blind im an electrician. Im not one of them. But what im looking for is advice on the courses and qualifications to get me on the road. I know you need to be aware of the part P regs and the 17th edition is a good base. Can anyone help me out and point me in the right direction?

Much advice appreciated. Im not a dumb kid that wants to muck about with wires im an interested lad that wants to learn.

 

[SparkyChick]

Honest advice you want yes?

It may just be me, but you come across as a bit arrogant, so my advice is:- lose the cocky attitude!

Being a good spark is as much about attitude as anything else. You've got one thing right, you want to learn. But as I say, for me, you're coming across as a bit arrogant... you may be shooting for confident, I don't know, but one thing I can say... from personal experience, it's a very fine line between confidence and arrogance... I know, I've walked it plenty and sometimes gotten it very wrong... very wrong indeed!

And this is a fine example of the arrogance. "I am not prepared to do a 2 week course wire a plug and swear blind im an electrician. Im not one of them"... what's that supposed to mean? Not everyone who does a short course is a complete f'in cowboy! People take different routes into this career for a variety of different reasons. A short course does not automatically mean garbage and equally, an apprenticeship does not automatically mean great! You should judge people's competence on the quality of their work, not what qualifications they have!

But I digress, you wanted information on some courses to help you along the way. I don't know how much of these are covered by the courses you've already done, but these are some good additions:-

2382 - The wiring regs (you've mentioned)
2392 - Fundamental initial verification and test (or something like that)
2393 - Building regs for electrical installations in dwellings (the so called Part P course, except it doesn't just cover Part P, when you're installing you have to take account of other approved documents including A, B, E, F, L and M)
2394/2495 (replaced by 2391) - Initial verification/Periodic inspection

And then, depending on what you want to specialise in other courses... fire alarms, emergency lighting, charging points etc. etc. Welcome to a world where realistically, you may never stop learning, so I do hope your statement about wanting to learn is a true reflection of you and not just hot air.

Hope that helps a little and good luck on your journey.

 

[Calum Jackson]

Thanks for your reply mate. I re read the post and yeah i agree i think some kf the things i said i came off as a bit of a --------! Total opposite of what im shooting for. I just dont want to be dubbed as a dumb kid that thinks hes a sparky. I'll read up on those quals. The whole thing is VERY expensive!

 

[SparkyChick]

Thanks for your reply mate. I re read the post and yeah i agree i think some kf the things i said i came off as a bit of a ********! Total opposite of what im shooting for. I just dont want to be dubbed as a dumb kid that thinks hes a sparky. I'll read up on those quals. The whole thing is VERY expensive!

It would be expensive if you did it all in one go, but for some things, such as 2391, experience is good to have before you take it. You're young, you've got time to work for other people... if you show you're willing and that you want to progress, you may be able to persuade employers to foot some of the bills

Going it alone is expensive as well, again, work for others and gradually build up your own kit and test gear over a number of years.

 

[Calum Jackson]

Tell me about it. Im a bit of a tool tart. So i have gear beyond what i need for my job. Unfortunately my employer owns my test meter. Which as per screwfix is the most expensive part of the kit! My employer will hopefully be putting me through Gas Safe next year. But unfortunately they wont do any further electrical Quals.

 

[SparkyChick]

Tool tart club membership... you'll need to talk to the resident tarts

I think on some level, this plays a role in our career choice... I've always had jobs where I've needed lots of kit of one form or another. But I think being a spark is the ultimate due to the variety of tools available to us... most of which we'll use... it's great

 

[Calum Jackson]

So I've seen. Theres so many different aspects that require that many different tools. Im gonna need a big van my current van is chocker as it is

 

[telectrix]

Tell me about it. Im a bit of a tool tart. So i have gear beyond what i need for my job. Unfortunately my employer owns my test meter. Which as per screwfix is the most expensive part of the kit! My employer will hopefully be putting me through Gas Safe next year. But unfortunately they wont do any further electrical Quals.

plenty of decent 2nd hand MFTs on the market. you can get a megger 1552/3/ with cal. cert. for around £300.mine was 2nd hand 4 years ago, and sailed through calibration every 2 years. ( i don't have it done annually as i'm not at present in s CPS ( Corrupt Parasite Scam): just have it done for my own peace of mind. )).

 

[Aaron t]

Hi can anyone help... i have an NVQ level 3 extended diploma in electrical/electronic (manufacturing in control systems equipment) could i work in houses with this or would i need my 17th

 

[telectrix]

Hi can anyone help... i have an NVQ level 3 extended diploma in electrical/electronic (manufacturing in control systems equipment) could i work in houses with this or would i need my 17th

you will need 17th at present, but better to wait and go for 18th. but bear in mind that domestic work is a whole new barrel of skills. lifting floors, routing cables, mrs.jones no happy with galv. tray and SWA slung round her new kitchen.

 

[Aaron t]

you will need 17th at present, but better to wait and go for 18th. but bear in mind that domestic work is a whole new barrel of skills. lifting floors, routing cables, mrs.jones no happy with galv. tray and SWA slung round her new kitchen.

I gained a little bit of experience while serving my apprenticeship but can imagine it being that hard to pick it all up. Would you say my best bet is too become an electricians mate?

 

[telectrix]

probably. that way you'll get practical experience.