Becoming a electrician in few weeks! (Crash courses)

[sparkz]

I know a local guy, calls himself a handy man. His doing a Electrical Crash Course with Trade Skills 4 U. He was telling me his going to be more qualified than me because his doing 17th edition and also a Part P course. I believe learning the hardway is the best way. I attended college and did my 16th Edition an NVQ's for 3 years then worked on site for another 2 years as a aprrentice. Thats 5 years of studying. I dont understand how these courses work? How can they combine everything in such a small amount of time. Could someone explain to me what these courses invole?
At the end of the day i did mention to him he wouldnt last long on price work or even getting a job on a building site.

Appreciate your help....

 

[Spudnik]

I did one of these courses a couple of years ago, yes it gives you the theory but when you go into the real world you have no practical experience, and that is one steep learning curve , Went back in Nov and sat my 2391, that was interesting I did pass tho, hard work and lot's of revision. I still don't call myself an electrician tho. when i have more 3 phase and commercial experience then maybe i will.

Good for you!

However, domestic and commercial are different things so commercial experience may not prepare you for what the domestic world throws at you.

Best to try and do them all at some point.

At lease you will then be able to decide which one is right for you.

 

[smoggy]

Good for you!

However, domestic and commercial are different things so commercial experience may not prepare you for what the domestic world throws at you.

Best to try and do them all at some point.

At lease you will then be able to decide which one is right for you.

Thanks
Being going out with my future ex father in law, he does alot of commercial work. I do prefer commercial work, no bloody customers saying don't make a mess, or i don't want my new carpet lifting, can't you run the cable half way round the house

And i have learnt quite a bit from this forum aswell,
so thanks to you all.

 

[slocm3105]

I did one of these courses with a big company, British Gas in fact. In between I worked on site with an electrician of 38 years experience. I'm out on my own for them doing domestic work and I love it. Im pretty confident with most things even rewires etc, just sometimes when you get a dodgy fault from a badly wired house do i struggle a bit, however in the fututre im guna sit through the 2330 Courses and then take it from there, as im only 21 it gives me plenty of time to settle down .

 

[salisbury spark]

I did my EAL full scope (part p) last summer. - Disgusted that some of the guys are out there now working in houses after seeing there work having not a clue on the course. We had a tutor that was strict ,half the course failed. - Then speaking to my new 2330 tutor at college - he said he had run the part p course and didnt fail anyone - after all they had paid £1000 for the course!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Must agree,im seeing 'corners cut' by electricians with a lifetime of experience.... Steep learning curve for me too. My thanks to all the advice from guys on this site,- I needed it at the start of my business..... Love being out there working as a Part P guy while i finish my 2330. -AGREE THERES NO FAST TRACK- every jobs different and only experience can get you though (and hours of research on products and regs).

 

[alexg]

Did mine over 4 months with part home study. Fully registyered with NIC 3 wweks after, and now 2391 and 2392 after 3 months expereience.. Have been busy 85% of working datys at 200 squids a day, and KNOW my work is safe qnd effcetive. Hard work, bit of brains applied and creating my own luck. My take out is that if you want to do a good job - custmers will pick this up - and you will. OK... its' domestic. What's wrong with that? Get over it. Muppets always get found out.

PS I had a desk job before this for 15 years

 

[Anonomoose]

hands up I did a "quick course" with a profit run private college place. I thought what they offered was ok as it got me my 17th edition ok and taught me the theory but luckily i was working with an electrician for the last three years or so learnt the pratical too.
I think they should state with them that you should do them along side work experience "apprenterships". As at college i was along side McDonalds managers and shop assistants that between the weeks at college didnt touch a tool and expected to go out on their own once they had finished the course.
Due to unforseen circumstances (a falling out with my boss) i am now starting on my own and have my first part P assessment on 4th Feb (nervous as heck about it) I would have liked to stay with my boss for another year to gain more experience but here we are.

 

[Jutt]

I did the trade skills 4 u course 17th & part p as a starter as i was retraining from electronics trade & then enrolled on the 2330 at college to learn the trade properly & can tell you there is no way he is more qualified than a proper sparks, it's a good starting point if your re-training but if you think you can do theses 3 week courses & think your a spark then you have another thing coming. I'm luckily enough to of found a company that will take me on while i'm doing the 2330 & can tell you site experience is the key & have learnt so much more, theses courses are good but just a starting point, but are good if your already a spark & need the 17th.

 

[Des 56]

IUts a pity that these courses cant be outlawed
The tried and tested way of becoming a competent electrician is the apprentiship route
For anybody deluding themselves that a short course will give that competence then either the person themselves are in for a surprise or the customers they sevice will probably be put in unknown and unforseen danger by inexperience
Do it right or not at all
It only lowers the perseption of the trade which has been demonstrated the last few years notably by the niceic who have welcomed these charletons for gain without thought of safety

 

[slocm3105]

IUts a pity that these courses cant be outlawed
The tried and tested way of becoming a competent electrician is the apprentiship route
For anybody deluding themselves that a short course will give that competence then either the person themselves are in for a surprise or the customers they sevice will probably be put in unknown and unforseen danger by inexperience
Do it right or not at all
It only lowers the perseption of the trade which has been demonstrated the last few years notably by the niceic who have welcomed these charletons for gain without thought of safety

I really think that you have a bad perception of these "short courses", it really depends on the person and HOW they utilize their learning experience, I agree totally that if you did a 4 week short course, then went out on your own house bashing it would be dangerous to say the least. However, my course was run over a period of 9 months with working on site in between to give me that valuable experience needed to undertake the maintenance and installation of Domestic wiring. I always do all my work correctly, safely and according to regs, so please dont slate all involved with these as there as still many of us who will do a good job, safely and progress onto being very good electricians.

Thanks

 

[ezzzekiel]

took me years to get qualified and more importantly experienced, however nothing wrong with short courses as long as you only do work you are capable of doing and know your limitations.

problem is everyone is different and a lot of these short courses are passing people who quite simply are not capable - if your good enough then fair enough good luck to ya - but if your not fail them and insist on further training - like everything else in the industry theres not enough regulation........

for what its worth.

 

[Tiger]

IUts a pity that these courses cant be outlawed
The tried and tested way of becoming a competent electrician is the apprentiship route
For anybody deluding themselves that a short course will give that competence then either the person themselves are in for a surprise or the customers they sevice will probably be put in unknown and unforseen danger by inexperience
Do it right or not at all
It only lowers the perseption of the trade which has been demonstrated the last few years notably by the niceic who have welcomed these charletons for gain without thought of safety

I must be missing something. Before part P There was nothing to stop Joe public or any cowboy carrying out electrical works. Now at least we have a standard and maybe it can be improved on but I personally think that anybody taking these courses are inteligent minded people and can't imagine half whitt cowboys being able to pass.

At least now someone can now be held acccountable for works carried out and yearly inspections to keep people on there toes.

 

[peterspark70]

I must be missing something. Before part P There was nothing to stop Joe public or any cowboy carrying out electrical works. Now at least we have a standard and maybe it can be improved on but I personally think that anybody taking these courses are inteligent minded people and can't imagine half whitt cowboys being able to pass.

At least now someone can now be held acccountable for works carried out and yearly inspections to keep people on there toes.

i cant beleave what i am reading about these happy go lucky courses, who runs these courses B & Q lol save your money and go have alook at the display boards in the stores ( cowboys). started as electricians mate and went to night school ,how it should be done!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it took me 7 years night school one day aweek hard gaft and took my, AM1 , NVQ3 and my 2391 , 17 th edition and graded JIB approved electrician IT JUST TAKES (P*** OUT OF SKILLED TRADES ) I HAVE HAD MY OWN COMPANY FOR 5 YEARS , AND I WAS TOLD THAT YOU WILL NEVER STOP LEARNING, HOW TRUE HE WAS!!!!! BEEN A ELECTRICIAN FOR 16 YRS

 

[wet string]

I don't think anyone was getting snooty here.......so lets not get carried away before we hit the enter key........


cheers lads..

message from admin at start of debate,

 

[smoggy]

i cant beleave what i am reading about these happy go lucky courses, who runs these courses B & Q lol save your money and go have alook at the display boards in the stores ( cowboys). started as electricians mate and went to night school ,how it should be done!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it took me 7 years night school one day aweek hard gaft and took my, AM1 , NVQ3 and my 2391 , 17 th edition and graded JIB approved electrician IT JUST TAKES (P*** OUT OF SKILLED TRADES ) I HAVE HAD MY OWN COMPANY FOR 5 YEARS , AND I WAS TOLD THAT YOU WILL NEVER STOP LEARNING, HOW TRUE HE WAS!!!!! BEEN A ELECTRICIAN FOR 16 YRS

So you are saying if you had to start out now you wouldn't do one of these courses.? Seems to be a bit of envy from so called time served sparks that these courses wern't available at the time.
When i was doing my 17th and 2391 couple of guys who were supposed to be experienced. FAILED. I don't call myself an electrician (Domestic Installer) is correct term. If i am asked to look at a job outside my experience i decline, recommend an Electrician.

 

[Tiger]

i cant beleave what i am reading about these happy go lucky courses, who runs these courses B & Q lol save your money and go have alook at the display boards in the stores ( cowboys). started as electricians mate and went to night school ,how it should be done!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it took me 7 years night school one day aweek hard gaft and took my, AM1 , NVQ3 and my 2391 , 17 th edition and graded JIB approved electrician IT JUST TAKES (P*** OUT OF SKILLED TRADES ) I HAVE HAD MY OWN COMPANY FOR 5 YEARS , AND I WAS TOLD THAT YOU WILL NEVER STOP LEARNING, HOW TRUE HE WAS!!!!! BEEN A ELECTRICIAN FOR 16 YRS

I think you compleately missed my point. get off your high horse. point being at least there is a standard now to protect customers before there wasn't.