J
Joso
Hi there,
After having a search about on the forum, I know there are quite a few posts covering different aspects of training but I haven't managed to pinpoint the exact answer i'm looking for. Hopefully someone can offer some advice
I had work experience in school with a domestic Electrician which I thoroughly enjoyed and have since gone on to do a couple of full re-wiring jobs independently for a couple of members of family which were then inspected, tested and passed by a qualified Electrician. Unfortunaltey, I was unable to find any apprenticeships and then had to spend a few years working full time in retail as I couldn't afford to be unemployed. I'm now 25 and fully regret not pursuing this harder when I was younger. Being older now I have no problem in relocating anywhere in the country for a suitable opportunity, especially with the current economic problems.
I have had successful practical experience aswell as a fairly good knowledge of electronic principles and have been exploring the different routes of becoming a qualified Electrician. After making some enquiries at my local college I've found out they offer City & Guilds 2330 Level 2 & 3 plus the various wiring regulation and Part P courses.
Also, I've been searching for reviews of training centres such as Able Skills and Trade Skills 4 U which offer these 20 week courses (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off). The main issues for me are that I currently work full time as I mentioned and none of these companies are within a suitable distance as I'm currently living in South Wales plus, after reading mixed experiences of various people who've attended these 'fast track' courses, I'm not exactly keen to part with large sums of money and then try and obtain that sort of unpaid time off work to attend somewhere that will also require me to find accommodation as the cost will just keep rising.
The only worries I have with attending college are that I wouldn't be able to start until September next year and I've also come across a few posts regarding the replacement of the C & G 2330 qualifications in the future. Would this pose a problem with me being able to continue with further courses if I am only able to complete the Level 2 course before the level 3 course is discontinued?
One last thing I'd just like to ask is, from an employers point of view, would the route in which I have taken to become qualified have a bearing how much attention they would pay to my application? I would be prepared to take the self employed route but am I right in thinking it's not possible to become NICEIC approved without having worked with someone who is, as I wouldn't be able to carry out work alone and obtain the 2 on-site assessments that are needed to become approved?
Sorry for the long post and thanks to anyone who has time to reply
Jeff
After having a search about on the forum, I know there are quite a few posts covering different aspects of training but I haven't managed to pinpoint the exact answer i'm looking for. Hopefully someone can offer some advice
I had work experience in school with a domestic Electrician which I thoroughly enjoyed and have since gone on to do a couple of full re-wiring jobs independently for a couple of members of family which were then inspected, tested and passed by a qualified Electrician. Unfortunaltey, I was unable to find any apprenticeships and then had to spend a few years working full time in retail as I couldn't afford to be unemployed. I'm now 25 and fully regret not pursuing this harder when I was younger. Being older now I have no problem in relocating anywhere in the country for a suitable opportunity, especially with the current economic problems.
I have had successful practical experience aswell as a fairly good knowledge of electronic principles and have been exploring the different routes of becoming a qualified Electrician. After making some enquiries at my local college I've found out they offer City & Guilds 2330 Level 2 & 3 plus the various wiring regulation and Part P courses.
Also, I've been searching for reviews of training centres such as Able Skills and Trade Skills 4 U which offer these 20 week courses (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off). The main issues for me are that I currently work full time as I mentioned and none of these companies are within a suitable distance as I'm currently living in South Wales plus, after reading mixed experiences of various people who've attended these 'fast track' courses, I'm not exactly keen to part with large sums of money and then try and obtain that sort of unpaid time off work to attend somewhere that will also require me to find accommodation as the cost will just keep rising.
The only worries I have with attending college are that I wouldn't be able to start until September next year and I've also come across a few posts regarding the replacement of the C & G 2330 qualifications in the future. Would this pose a problem with me being able to continue with further courses if I am only able to complete the Level 2 course before the level 3 course is discontinued?
One last thing I'd just like to ask is, from an employers point of view, would the route in which I have taken to become qualified have a bearing how much attention they would pay to my application? I would be prepared to take the self employed route but am I right in thinking it's not possible to become NICEIC approved without having worked with someone who is, as I wouldn't be able to carry out work alone and obtain the 2 on-site assessments that are needed to become approved?
Sorry for the long post and thanks to anyone who has time to reply
Jeff
