ECS card and me being thick!

[mattmoo1974]

Right here goes.
Self employed, know work so im going to do a bit of the dreaded agency work(Dont start lads please stay on topic)
All said Agency work wants a JIB card(Or rating at least)
Rang JIB, They said they changed it from Improver to "Trainee" levels 1 to 3.
They said i "should" get level 3(I dont really care as long as it doesnt say labourer<< Nothing wrong with labourer but to a agency muppet this means Idiot IMHO)
Right do i Pay ECS and then have to pay JIB for the H@S test? Am i thinking its the CSCS test but with the Sparkys card as a bonus
Or is this covered in my Inrollment fee IE £36?
Has any one done this of late?
As i say iv rung them a few times and they just seems they cant get you off the phone fast enough "Fill in the form and send cash" is the basic outline from them.
Has any one had any dealings with this of last(Please No guess work)?
Iv tryed looking on the JIB webby but i think you need to be a member of NASA to understand there site with ease
Many thanks for looking Matt

 

[mattmoo1974]

Here's my list Serv.
Iv rung every builder/kitchen fitter/plasterer any one i know in the building trade.
Iv Posted ads in my local Parish magazine(£10 a year) and a few other's withing a 20 mile radius.
Iv put my Business card in every chippy/kebab shop/chinese/curry house withing 10 miles at least(this option is making me fat)
Iv posted 500 flyers in area's where i think i mite hit.
The local rag which covers a massive area in fairness for the money.
2 Cars both have car maganet's with my number/business tatto'd all over.(I ll get a van when i can afford one)
I tell any 1 who will and wont listen.
My misses is a carer and covers about 30 mile radius of us and shameless tells every 1 she meets.
Iv personnally been into every estate/letting agent local to me.
My misses wrote a very well worded letter waffling on about using local people etc etc and iv posted to this to all the local businesses that i think would you my services.(30 so far)
Iv been into about 20 caravan/camp sites that are small enough not to have there own spark.
Iv registered with the local Housing association(They have outside labour for there PIR's)
As you ve mentioned yourself Elecserv most builders have got there spark they use, Unless they do somat very bad there never going to swap.
Im not out to steal anybodys work just get my name about, Its not worked to date so its to the dreaded agency i go.
And now i hit this ECS card wall.
I realise the Pro's and Con's of a JIB for us all, Its the fact that most agencys just blanket put must have JIB for a PAT testing job etc etc

 

[malcolmsanford]

Matt I just renewed my JIB card in May but I won't tell you what it cost me as I had to fast track it. The actual grading is free the cost of the ECS exam is 35 pounds and the card is 15 pounds, which in all hoesty is not that bad. It's the day off work ,travel to a centre that mounts up.

What I did find amazing is that the JIB card is valid for 3 years in my case May 2014 but the ECS part is May 2013. I only notice this when I scanned the cert and card into my computer, and have emailed the JIB to ask why.

 

[mattmoo1974]

Its was hard enough to work out what grade ll get let. Had to ring them in the end, And there very very cagey and just basicly say "fill in the form and send a cheque" and we ll grade you.
So i pay them £36 they ll send me a date for thetest and tehn once iv done that i pay JIB for another card?
Im a bit confused Malc cos the ECS card has a JIB grade on the front?

 

[malcolmsanford]

My JIB card on the top as the ECS logo and the JIB logo underneath, and the holgrams of of the CSCS and the ECS with my picture and grading.

 

[mattmoo1974]

Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) card That picture confuses me lol

 

[malcolmsanford]

That is the older design the newer is exactly the same but instead of the complete electro technical scheme writeen in ful it just as the ECS logo, what confuses you Matt.

 

[mattmoo1974]

Sorry mate im being stupid do i get that card and apply for a JIB card as well?
Is that my CSCS card for a sparky and i get the JIB seperatly?

 

[mattmoo1974]

If thats the case seems a bit pointless getting a JIB card if your ECS card has a JIB rating tatto'd on it?
Or im having a brain fart of epic proportions!

 

[malcolmsanford]

No mate they are ond and the same card you won't need 2 cards, the schemes are joined. So wheter it's a JIB card with ECS or a ECS card with JIB is a mute point.

 

[mattmoo1974]

Malcolmsanford Have my ugly babys!
Cheers mate, Just seems everyone is in everyones pocket.
I mite just be me but i dont think they make things very clear.

 

[malcolmsanford]

No I'm still trying to work out why the JIB part lasts till 2014 and the ECS part lasts 2013 .................they JIB/ESC do work in mysterious ways.