First rung of the ladder

[wilky423]

Hi All,
To introduce myself, i'm the good side of 40 & have been a commercial energy assessor for the past 3 years.
I'm now working for myself in this area, but have alway wanted a REAL skill.
Therefore I've taken the decision to take small steps into the electrical world.

I know it will take a good while to do but I want to eventually be able to do residential, commercial & solar PV.

Whilst I dont have much on the practical side of things i'm looking to learn.
Money is not endless as with most people.

I've just completed my C&G 2377 (PAT), to hopefully keep a bit of bread & butter money coming in.

The next step, i've undertook is a practical workshop in mid October to get some skills, there is no exam it's just pure hands on.

From here on in, I'm not sure & would like your advices.

Do I do the Part P VRQ to get me into residential work ?
Do I do the 17th C&G exam ?
Am I able to do commercial work with just the 17th exam ?

I know theres a lot to learn, I just dont want to go waste money on things I dont need.

Any help appreciated.

Regards,
Stephen.

 

[Lucas]

You need a C&G 2330 both Level 2 and 3 too be able to register with a governing body. How much Practical workshop time are you having? Best way too learn is going out on site.

I'd say its atleast 5 years before you can think about starting out on your own.

 

[ezzzekiel]

You need a C&G 2330 both Level 2 and 3 too be able to register with a governing body.

er no you dont, minimum qual required for registration is a di qual which is about a week long course, then 17th edition within first 12 months of joining.

 

[keniff]

you only need to be "competent" with most governing bodies, they come and assess you and are mostly interested in 17th edition as ezzzekiel said. but doesent matter what qualifications you have, experience is the best way forward the things they teach you in the classroom are nothing for what is put in front of you in the real world. id suggest looking for a bit of work with a spark, do your 17th ed and sign up to nic or someone so you can do your own jobs at weekends etc and sign them off, start small jobs and work your way up you will soon get there.

 

[malcolmsanford]

er no you dont, minimum qual required for registration is a di qual which is about a week long course, then 17th edition within first 12 months of joining.

And dosen't that just make your blood run cold, it does mine

 

[wilky423]

Thank you Ezzzekeil & keithsims, I though 5 years was a bit excessive. I'd be on the wrong end of 40 by then.

Okay so it seems that i'll do my practical workshop stuff, do my Part P VRQ, 17th Ed, a few small jobs & then register with NIC or similar.

I know it sounds a bit "fast track" for people who have been in the trade for many years & there experience would show through, but at the end of the day as long as my work is safe & not illegal, then not a problem. We all have mouths to feed & families to pay for.

Thanks again guys.
Stephen.