ESC Card for Electrical Labourer or Trainee - Help and Advice.

[RDB85]

So I am after a bit of advice from anyone that has previously or has now an Electrical Labourer ECS or Trainee Card. I was told to sit the ESC H&S Exam, passed it. I then go online, and it's saying that the Qualifications I have don't match.

From the site:
The Electrical Labourer ECS card is for people working in the electrical industry in a supportive role to assist electricians and other qualified staff with the installation of cables and other unskilled work, under supervision. They are to assist but not carry out any craft work that an electrician carries out.

A labourer has a specific job role within the JIB grading structure.

In some
situations this card may be issued if you cannot meet the qualification requirements of other cards such as Installation Electrician. If you hold a Labourer card, you can upgrade to an ECS gold card once you have gained further qualifications.

Electrical Labourer - https://www.ecscard.org.uk/card-types/electrotechnical/labourer-ecs-card

But if you look at Route One I meet the criteria. I've emailed them, or I may phone them on Monday.

Has anyone else had this issue?

 

[RDB85]

Pretty sure it would've cost you nothing to do your H&S if you would've completed your level 3 as I am sure its an exemption.

I didn't say I am not doing a Level 3? I start that in February. I was just hoping that getting this card would at least allow me to gain some experience, as the course runs of an evening and I could still work of a day. Seems that is not the case, I understand that it needs to be regulated but, seeing as its a starving industry, they have now made it more impossible to even begin.

 

[ethernet]

So basically I can’t do anything. As in order to get experience, you need to be working in the industry. But you need a card to get any work experience.

I approached a company, had a chat with the boss about what I'd done and what im going to do. I explained i cant get a job without the card, and the card without a job... he offered to endorse me as a labourer to help me out, though couldn't offer me a job.

Five months later, still no experience he took me on as a mate.. though i took a pay hit to get in!!

Two and a half years later, im paid what im worth, much to the an anoyance of our 4th year apprentices , and i will qualify when i pull my finger out.

Tldr

Do your level 3, get a labourers card and prove your worth on site (cards in or agency work).. the rest will fall into place if your genuinely good at your job.

Forget about the 18th and testing, until you have done the nvq.

 

[RDB85]

I approached a company, had a chat with the boss about what I'd done and what im going to do. I explained i cant get a job without the card, and the card without a job... he offered to endorse me as a labourer to help me out, though couldn't offer me a job.

Five months later, still no experience he took me on as a mate.. though i took a pay hit to get in!!

Two and a half years later, im paid what im worth, much to the an anoyance of our 4th year apprentices , and i will qualify when i pull my finger out.

Tldr

Do your level 3, get a labourers card and prove your worth on site (cards in or agency work).. the rest will fall into place if your genuinely good at your job.

Forget about the 18th and testing, until you have done the nvq.

I’ve approached companies, phone calls, emails and send my CV, told them I’ve completed a Level 2 and I’ve paid to do my Level 3 which starts in February. Own car, own tools, but they don’t have any work, don’t respond or say they can’t take me on. My Level 3 is going to take 8 months to complete as it’s of an evening.

So it looks as though I will have to go back to doing a desk job. You think it would be easier to get a start in the trade. How wrong I was for thinking that way.

 

[ethernet]

I have to admit, i got very lucky getting took on. Out of 20 cvs, i got 2 replies. One was a NO CHANCE , and the other was a very sincere no, but goodluck email.

Don't take the lack of responses personally, my boss gets plenty of cvs and it would take alot of effort reaponding to them all

Have a look at agency work. more chance of local work, reasonable pay and a variety of electrical work and most take ANYONE on

The card, ask the lads at college if any are employed and would their bosses help you out with endorsement. point out its just help getting a card, and grasp the labourer card

 

[RDB85]

I have to admit, i got very lucky getting took on. Out of 20 cvs, i got 2 replies. One was a NO CHANCE , and the other was a very sincere no, but goodluck email.

Don't take the lack of responses personally, my boss gets plenty of cvs and it would take alot of effort reaponding to them all

Have a look at agency work. more chance of local work, reasonable pay and a variety of electrical work and most take ANYONE on

The card, ask the lads at college if any are employed and would their bosses help you out with endorsement. point out its just help getting a card, and grasp the labourer card

I’ve tried agencies but the cards a must unfortunately. There are no lads on our course in the industry. I will ask the place that I’m doing it if they have any advice. I will phone ECS on Monday and see what they say. Surly it can’t be this hard to get a card.

 

[JAWS]

I’ve tried agencies but the cards a must unfortunately. There are no lads on our course in the industry. I will ask the place that I’m doing it if they have any advice. I will phone ECS on Monday and see what they say. Surly it can’t be this hard to get a card.

This is my reply from JIB a few months back.

The idea of the Trainee cards is to parallel the Apprenticeship route for mature students, therefore you would have to be enrolled towards the NVQ Level 3 with a training provider and also working with a company undergoing formal industry. It's not so much that you're applying for a card, but more that you're confirming your registration with a scheme towards formal industry requirements, which is why being employed with a company is a requirement.

I hope this helps clarify the requirements.

 

[TJ Anderson]

I’ve tried agencies but the cards a must unfortunately. There are no lads on our course in the industry. I will ask the place that I’m doing it if they have any advice. I will phone ECS on Monday and see what they say. Surly it can’t be this hard to get a card.

They have told you why you cant have a trainee card.....because you are not working with a firm as a trainee. A CSCS will do. That will get you on site as a Mate. Someone with a trainee card can't work unsupervised either so what difference does it make until you are qualified??

 

[RDB85]

They have told you why you cant have a trainee card.....because you are not working with a firm as a trainee. A CSCS will do. That will get you on site as a Mate. Someone with a trainee card can't work unsupervised either so what difference does it make until you are qualified??

I can’t get a CSCS card as a Labourer. You need to pass another a H&S exam. The thing is I’m looking for work now, well as I’m currently unemployed. That is the difference. I understand that either as a trainee or a mate your basically a dogs body to fetch and carry and yes gain experience. What I’m saying is nobody will take you on without a card, but then you can’t get the card because of the qualifications. But I’m in need of some work.

Here is the link to the CSCS:Construction Skills Certification Scheme | Official CSCS Website - Labourer - https://www.cscs.uk.com/card-type/labourer/

 

[TJ Anderson]

I can’t get a CSCS card as a Labourer. You need to pass another a H&S exam. The thing is I’m looking for work now, well as I’m currently unemployed. That is the difference. I understand that either as a trainee or a mate your basically a dogs body to fetch and carry and yes gain experience. What I’m saying is nobody will take you on without a card, but then you can’t get the card because of the qualifications. But I’m in need of some work.

OK.....no worries. Maybe it's changed now. I have mates who just had CSCS card with no quals who used to get work on sites through agencies. That was quite a few years back though. ...

 

[RDB85]

OK.....no worries. Maybe it's changed now. I have mates who just had CSCS card with no quals who used to get work on sites through agencies. That was quite a few years back though. ...

It’s all changed now. Probably to stop people with no qualifications getting a card. Seem impossible to get into the industry.

 

[TJ Anderson]

Are you registered with agencies then?

 

[RDB85]

Are you registered with agencies then?

No because they all want an ECS Card.

 

[RDB85]

I will phone them tomorrow to see what they can do.

 

[domdom103]

Hi. Did you have any luck? I'm in the exact same situation and have been scouring the internet for months.

 

[JAWS]

Hi. Did you have any luck? I'm in the exact same situation and have been scouring the internet for months.

If you've passed the level 2 or 3 then you automatically qualify for the labourers ECS card as long as you pass their H&S test.

If you havent passed either the level 2 or level 3 then you have to be in employment to receive one.

The rules were updated a few months back.