ECS help

[6ft2]

ive been an electrician for 15 yrs, I never officially finished my apprentiship all but AM2. ive always managed to find work and have amassed a lot of glowing references. Im currently solar installer working all over the country , I now want to settle in manchester. The problem im faced with is everyone wants ecs or cscs card. obviously I want to do the am2 and get the top card but thats gonna take time and money. is there a temporary card I can get etc?
I like to think im a bloody good spark, but gone are the days of proving your worth. a new qualified spark fresh outta college , on paper is better qualified and stands a better chance of a job than me. its annoying.

 

[Leesparkykent]

ive been an electrician for 15 yrs, I never officially finished my apprentiship all but AM2. ive always managed to find work and have amassed a lot of glowing references. Im currently solar installer working all over the country , I now want to settle in manchester. The problem im faced with is everyone wants ecs or cscs card. obviously I want to do the am2 and get the top card but thats gonna take time and money. is there a temporary card I can get etc?
I like to think im a bloody good spark, but gone are the days of proving your worth. a new qualified spark fresh outta college , on paper is better qualified and stands a better chance of a job than me. its annoying.

The mature candidate assessment route would probably be your best bet. In the mean time you can apply for a ecs card with the quals/experience you have and you will be issued an ecs card at whatever grade the jib see fit.

Mature Candidate Assessment | Joint Industry Board (JIB)

 

[6ft2]

cheers ill look into that

 

[LED Lighting]

The other card you can get is a 6 month temp card from CSCS or do the CSCS test and get the 3 year CSCS card to get you onto sites till you get your ECS Card

 

[VoltzElectrical]

It's a sad situation dude, but your best bet (in my opinion) is to sit the ECS test and then get what ever card you can from the JIB.

Then Get yourself onto whatever course you need to in order to get the Gold card. This may mean NVQ3 and AM2.

That is what I had to do and in the long run, the outlay has paid for itself 10 times over.

I know in the short term it feels financially and, for some who have put in the miles, personally painful, but realistically speaking one has to suck it up and realise that this is the unfortunate world we live in, no matter how much we wish it wasn't.

Good luck