British gas elec courses

Sharpshooter · Jan 20, 2013

Hi everyone,

I am after some advice/feedback on the British gas six weeks electrician course in Rotherham . I was told it will cost £3995 inc VAT. This is the link " can't post it on here"

I would be ever so grateful if anyone can tell me whether it is worth it or if it is just another one of those come and give me your money for nothing.

""Accredited by City & Guilds, it’s a six week programme, split into modules. ELECSA, the body authorised by Local Government to deliver competent persons scheme enabling you to self certify domestic electrical work, will provide an inspection, assessment and certification service on successful completion of the course.

As an approved contractor on the ELECSA scheme, you enjoy the benefits of a scheme run by electricians for the electrical trade.

The course includes Basic Electrical training for 1 week followed by a 5 week Domestic Electrician Workshop.

This covers the principles and practices of electrical installation work in a domestic environment. Giving you all the benefits of a hands-on practical approach, you enjoy a large proportion of workshop time and a skill level above the national average.

The course allows you to achieve the following qualifications:

· EAL Level 2 Domestic Electrical Installer Scheme

· City & Guilds 2382-12 17th Edition Wiring Regulations

· City & Guilds 2392-10 Fundamental Inspection, Testing and Initial Verification of Electrical Installations

· City & Guilds Accredited Basic Electrical Skills

Course Content:

Basic Electrical Training (one week)

Contains theory and practical sessions covering the fundamental principles of electrical systems.

· Safe isolation of electrical circuits.

· Safe working practices

· Electrical test instrumentation

· Electrical diagrams

· Cable and wiring systems

Domestic Electrician Workshop (5 Weeks)

Topics Include:

· Lighting Circuits

· Power Circuits

· Fixed Equipment Circuits

· Fuse Board Changes

· A variety of wiring and bonding applications in kitchens and bathrooms.

· Requirement of the Electricity at Work Regulations

· Visual inspection of new work.

· Completion of an electrical installation

· Certificate of Minor Electrical Installation

· Works Certificate, Schedule of Inspection and a Schedule of Test Results.

· Testing Techniques.""

Thanks for reading

- - - Updated - - -

Sorry to post it on here.

Worldz · Jan 20, 2013

Tbh mate who ever runs the course be it British gas or some unknown, a six week course is a joke to think you could learn even the basics,

I've been doing it 7 years and I'm still learning and I'm sure there more blokes here with more

Do the course if you really want but I stand by the principle electrics can kill and these short course are a joke and dangerous

Do a apprentiship with colleague or don't touch electrics

Rampantchilli · Jan 20, 2013

id be surprised if you were competent to do the job at the end, but apparently youll have a higher than average skill level, wonder if my 8 yo daughter could do that course and have a higher than average skill level.

anyway quality of training doesnt matter, its 'only domestic'

chrish_1977 · Jan 20, 2013

Wow electrical trainee now, guess they have heard our concerns within the Industry and have lengthened the training accordingly

Octopus · Jan 20, 2013

If you haven't any knowledge or electrics or home building/construction these courses won't even scratch the surface. IMHO

Martyc · Jan 20, 2013

I've been at college since September, covered about a third of that stuff at a basic level, still struggling to remember some of it and I feel I'm as close to being an electrician as a retarded inbred chimp with one arm and 3 toes for fingers. Only another 2.5 years to go to finish the course. Can't see how you can cover it in 6 weeks.

p11jor · Jan 20, 2013

Wouldn't waste your money mate everyone's doing a bit of domestic now, I would pump that money into the 2357 at a collage.

Or if you want to give me the £3995 I will forget about the VAT show you a lot more that a house bash pay for all them exams for you to sit.

Two of them quals there 2382, 2392 would cost you about £700 for both and would take 6 days at a local centre by me and have been passed by like lorry drivers. So there is £4300 lurking there for what you could learn from a very basic book.....

I say it to everyone.....it's all well and good paying your 5k and swapping a socket face over, plugging the kettle in and standing back with amazement whilst the thing boils, just wait untill someone responds to that 24hour call out advert in the paper you get there and the lights are out......

oldtimer · Jan 20, 2013

http://www.electriciansforums.net/electrical-courses-electrical-nvqs/70350-am-i-kidding-myself.html

You are just asking the same question as the post above go look at that

rattlehead85 · Jan 20, 2013

I've been an electrician for almost 25 years and still find unfamiliar situations on a regular basis so how the hell they say you can have above national standard knowledge after 6 weeks is frankly comical!

ed-ectrician · Jan 20, 2013

I may risk sounding like everyone else on here but I will be honest with you from very recent experience....

Go to proper college, put in the time. 6 weeks - you will learn a bit granted but nothing makes up for taking months and in fact years to actually learn things properly. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE WITH MAKING SOMETHING WORK AND ENSURING IT IS SAFE FOR CONTINUED USE. This is something I have learnt the hard way working with a few muppets ('why do you need to earth class 1 downlights?!')and having to redo their work! It took me 2 years doing night school and working as a mate/labourer and I still feel well out of my depth about half the time!

Sharpshooter · Jan 20, 2013

Thank you all for your advice, it's a bit of a tricky one. College is not an option for me at the moment! I have worked as an electrician mate for a while now on and off with a friend but I am no way a competent person nor confident in the trade. Would those qualifications be enough for someone to start their own business as a sparky?(nothing heavy duty, just domestic).

Guest111 · Jan 20, 2013

Sharpshooter said:
Thank you all for your advice, it's a bit of a tricky one. College is not an option for me at the moment! I have worked as an electrician mate for a while now on and off with a friend but I am no way a competent person nor confident in the trade. Would those qualifications be enough for someone to start their own business as a sparky?(nothing heavy duty, just domestic).

well you could do it and start your own business,but remember you will not be the only one doing a course like this,times are hard and there are loads of people doing the same thing all with the dream of earning big money,unfortunately the only ones making decent money are the people providing these courses.Selling you a dream that will turn into a nightmare,please save your cash and don,t go there.

thekingiam · Jan 20, 2013

i was wondering why people take these courses no good employer would want to employ these 6 week wonders that only leaves them with one choice and that is to start up on their own!
if that is what you intend doing then god help the public.
to be registered part p you only need 17 th eddition pay scheme scam provider insurance a mft paperwork.
you would be better off paying a sparky to show you the basics and do the full college course then you could get work at the end.

Jdsparky · Jan 20, 2013

If it were me going on a course for six weeks then let out on the general public, I would be sh!t scared, as you wouldn't have a clue in the real world and would feel well incompetent and embarrassed when your customers can tell you don't know what your doing.

I bet anyone paying for a tradesman to come into their house to do any sort of work, if they knew they had only had six weeks training, wouldn't be very happy to 'let them have a go' and have to pay them top dollar for the mess there probably going to end up with. I mean even would you employ and pay a painter who had no experience in painting other than on a course? I wouldn't and what's the worst they could do other than a rubbish paint job, doesn't kill anyone but still wouldn't trust em to do it right after six weeks in the trade.

Sharpshooter · Jan 20, 2013

Again thanks for your response guys, like I said I can get a bit of work/experience now and then. From what I can gather, it is a pointless exercise. Need to speak to my electricians contacts and see if I can get some support if I decide to throw my money at British gas ! This is proving to be a head banger !!