Considering C&G course, thoughts?

[spikyshark]

Hi, I appreciate you've probably read this a million times but what the hell

Basically I'm considering doing a C&G electrical course and am after general thoughts on whether this is a good trade to enter long term.

I've saved up enough money from my current job (just a crappy first supermarket job after leaving college) to pay for a course at either tradeskills4u or able. Is it likely to be a case of splash out 4k on the course, work my arse off to pass then find a million others have and there's not a chance in hell of getting mate work?

I love the idea of not sitting behind a screen all day as a job, working in different places and I'm always fixing/messing around with things so I'm pretty sure its a job I'd like to do...

I'm very much in two minds. Any thoughts would be great, thanks

 

[acat]

As things stand its difficult and lack of experience will always count against you. It may be a better route to do it at college over a longer period and stay in work.

Reading this forum you will always find qualified people offering their services free just to get some experience. Your only other option is self employed which is a long uphill struggle so you would need plenty of money to start up and get by until things pick up.

Good luck


Chris

 

[spikyshark]

Cheers mate. I was thinking about offering a free weeks tea making/tool passing service to an electrician to get a feel for the job before throwing 4k (5k with travel etc gulp!) at a course. Reckon anyone would take me up on that? (I don't smell, I think)

 

[pmac10]

you dont say what age you are but you sound under 25 ('first supermarket job'), surely you are eliglble for an apprentice scheme at no cost to yourself and you could supplement your wages with the 4000 saved.
yes it will take a lot longer but at end you will have experience. without getting into the pros and cons of fast track training providers, i think they are aimed towards older people.

 

[MarcT]

I would recommend being a cardie rather than self employed and gain your experience there. This is very much a thankless job as it's not perceived to add any value, and therefore prices are more likely stay low.
The majority of the advice you give will be ignored under the guise of being an un-necessary expense, and it is unlikely that you will get much kudos, as success in this field is more about price, speed and networking than it is about quality, in essense: nice guys finish last, so on the cards is probably more suitable in the long term, oh did I mention grumpy?

That's just my take on it. It's a worthwhile trade if you have a flair for it, or if you are proud and like self improvement. However if a cash cow is your ultimate aim, then this is the slow train i'm afraid.

 

[Besim10]

Hi, I appreciate you've probably read this a million times but what the hell

Basically I'm considering doing a C&G electrical course and am after general thoughts on whether this is a good trade to enter long term.

I've saved up enough money from my current job (just a crappy first supermarket job after leaving college) to pay for a course at either tradeskills4u or able. Is it likely to be a case of splash out 4k on the course, work my arse off to pass then find a million others have and there's not a chance in hell of getting mate work?

I love the idea of not sitting behind a screen all day as a job, working in different places and I'm always fixing/messing around with things so I'm pretty sure its a job I'd like to do...

I'm very much in two minds. Any thoughts would be great, thanks

Getting your foot in the door and gaining some essential experience are an integral part of your chosen career path. As far as training and qualifications are concerned what qualifications are you being offered for 4k from able and trade skills and what is your location?

 

[birelec2010]

It all depends on your age. If you are 16-18 you should look for an apprenticeship with on the job training. At Birmingham Electrical Training in Birmingham you can apply for an apprenticeship, if you meet all the criteria and you can get employment with an electrical contractor you can work and learn at the same time. An electrical apprenticeship is 4 years. This is a skill for life but there are no short cuts. If you are not in the Birmingham area then you should look to enrol with JTL (www.jtltraiing.com) who are national. If you just go to college you wont have on the job experience and no one will want to employ you without practical experience

 

[DurhamSparky]

BE A PLUMBER!!!!!!!! GET GAS SAFE QUALIFIED AND YOU CAN EARN MORE!!! ALSO YOU CAN BODGE ELECTRICAL JOBS IN PROCESS AS YOU CAN HAVE DEFINED SCOPE PART P!!! less hassle and less paper work!!

 

[birelec2010]

BE A PLUMBER!!!!!!!! GET GAS SAFE QUALIFIED AND YOU CAN EARN MORE!!! ALSO YOU CAN BODGE ELECTRICAL JOBS IN PROCESS AS YOU CAN HAVE DEFINED SCOPE PART P!!! less hassle and less paper work!!

If you bodge electrics you can kill someone

 

[DurhamSparky]

dont stop plumbers bodging them..!!!

 

[spikyshark]

cheers for the comments everyone. I'm 22 so I don't want to mess around with long courses, apprenticeships etc (spent 2 years at college doing a-levels as well)

Long term I'm thinking what will get me visa points for oz as well.

(I'm in north london/herts)

 

[DurhamSparky]

do it my way!!!


dont pay 6k out to a training establishment and you will have better footing!!! use money wisely and break it down in to the courses you really need!! lets be honest 2377 and 2392 are pointless courses in my eyes!! 2377 is only good if you want to do PAT testing and the 2392 is not really recognised!!


save ya cash ,

do the 17th edition at college over 5 weeks 1 night a week
do the NVQ 3 distance learning
get some site experience!!!
do a theory knowledge course 2330/ or the BTEC i did!! (1.5k cheaper but gives you same level of qual as 2330 level 3..)

practice with an employer and complete your NVQ.... after suficent learning and skills acquiring go for the 2391!!!

i reckon in total you will spend 2.5k and feel better for it as you will have Worthwhile quals!!!

Trust me mate!!! i did it that way and i compared it to my mate who did the 5k course at a place in watford!! i outshine him on paper and in technical skills ability!!

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

2392 Not recognised!!, you must be joking or have not done it, It may have a Level 2 tag but 100 questions and you have to get 75 odd right with no reference material but your brain aint easy, it actually should be level 3.

so what you are basically saying is that if an potential employer interviewed 2 candidates for a vacancy and they were only different in the way that one of them had the 2392, areyou saying that he would choose the guy without the 2392....i think not

definatly recognised and well worthwhile doing

 

[DurhamSparky]

2392 Not recognised!!, you must be joking or have not done it, It may have a Level 2 tag but 100 questions and you have to get 75 odd right with no reference material but your brain aint easy, it actually should be level 3.

so what you are basically saying is that if an potential employer interviewed 2 candidates for a vacancy and they were only different in the way that one of them had the 2392, areyou saying that he would choose the guy without the 2392....i think not

definatly recognised and well worthwhile doing

rather pay extra bit of cash and do 2391 , seriously you tell me which scheme recognises the 2392!! i would chooses the spark who has most experience and not just a 2392!!

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

Yes agree in a way but the 2391 has a 35% pass rate and if you dont know nothing about inspection & testing then you would fail it, the 2392 is the stepping stone, like 2330 l2 is the stepping stone to 2330 l3

If two sparks have the same experience but one has the 2392 you would go with him surely