course advice needed!!!!

[Mwoods4757]

hi all just wanting some advice from you all. i am working in the trade as a sparks mate/improver. i have been for 2 years now. i have done city and guilds 2322 level 3. this course was completed when i worked for distribution company to work in substations. the underpinning knowledge is the same as the 2330 and the science harder how ever the practical is not as much. I am also half way through my nvq 2356.
I have been working all commercial work so far, so i know little about domestic things. i am ok with wiring rings, lighting circuits and that but not a lot more.
so i was thinking of doing the part p and then the 2393 and 17th at a later date. i know the part p is not really a qualification and its for singing off work but im not doing it so i can go round working on my own in houses i was just thinking it might be good for a start on some testing aspects, db boards, other circuits and just for confidence.
or should i just stick out what im doing and try and gain experience that way.
any ideas would be good. cheers matt

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Dont waste your money on Part P or similarly worded courses, buy yourself the electricians guide to the building regs instead. There is no difference to wiring things up in a domestic environment or commercial, you just install them differently, and possibly use different cable types. But a ring is a ring, a lighting circuit is a lighting circuit wherever you install it, and so on, and to be fair there isnt a lot more, and what there is, is easier than rings and lighting. You do not need any qualifications to sign off your own work, but you do need the knowledge to do so, it is called competency.

You have 2 years relevant current experience in the trade, so you should have a good bit of knowledge, and if you have been doing a bit of the testing and paperwork then i would be saying throw yourself into the 17th edition whilst you are still on your NVQ. The 17th isn't rocket science, but you need to have a good knowledge of the trade to interpret the questions in the exam. Its then a case of 4 days doing the course and learning how to navigate the book.

Forgot to add, if you work to the wiring regs, then by default you will comply with Part P, and all the other building regs, hence the reason i say keep your money in your pocket.

Cheers............Howard

 

[MarkieSparkie]

As SirKit says Part P courses are not worth the outlay, particularly for somebody of your background and experience.

 

[diGreez]

Hello Everyone,
I am new in this forum, and I would love to get advice from someone here.
I've started a OLCI course, and now I am a bit confused about all qualifications and how it all works, because I am from Lithuania, I don’t know how it all works in England...
can someone help me please, I have these questions:
1. to become a fully qualified electrician you need just C&G 2357 level 3 to complete or in addition to that you need a 3-4 years of apprenteship?
2. Does anyone in here finished OLCI become a fully qualified electrician, how was that? Did they gave you all support; did they provide you with full onsite experience?
3. After finishing with OLCI training can you find a proper job as an electrician? OLCI salesman said to me that OLCI will help me with job? How they going to help me (get me in to interviews or just give me advise how to do CV and so on)?

 

[Alana Fox]

Hi diGreez,

Alana here from OLCI Construction training.

I can see that you have some questions about the course you have recently started. I would be more than happy to discuss this further with you.

Please give us a call on 0800 316 8100. Alternatively you can email me on [email protected] with a phone number and suitable time to call you back.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Alana Fox.