For us that are older, how qualified do you wish to become?

[DavidM]

As the title says. I'm 27 and would give anything for an opportunity to start and get the relevant NVQ and C&G certs that will allow me to work without hindrance - in addition to the invaluable experience of course.
But for others that are looking to enter the industry (especially the older guys) would you be happy just to acquire the C&G certs as far as qualifications go? What about NVQs or the AM2 trade test? Obviously, if you needed to find work with other companies they may stipulate certain qualifications. Anyone have any experiences of this nature, especially over the last couple of years?

 

[dubspark]

Hello mate, I'm 34 and nearly finished the 3 yr 2330 c+g course, also booked into take the 2382 mid june time. I wouid like/thinking of doing the 2391 inspection test course too. I'm just a bit confused about getting a jib, ecs card, which one, and do I need one? Maybe then I might get a job!!

Steve

 

[DavidM]

Must admit I only posted this to encourage a bit of discussion as I guess everyone has different opinions on what qualifications are necessary to start working as a sparky.
I personally only have my practical test (206?) of my C&G 2330 L2 left and I've completed the course. Obviously I'd like to take the L3 but may find it difficult so this summer is really a make-or-break situation with me and I may never get to where I want to be and therefore wasting the money I've spent on course fees!

 

[ezzzekiel]

I'm just a bit confused about getting a jib, ecs card, which one, and do I need one? Maybe then I might get a job!!

Steve

both, the ecs is a very simple health safety test which is needed as part of jib membership.

usual route:
2330 level 3
am2
2356
2382
2391
ecs
jib

oh and then part p cause they above arnt quite good enough to prove competence

 

[chris gray]

hi
im 36, did the old c+g 2360 and am1, we were told that nvq stood for not very qualified so didnt pursue that line.
on hindsight i wish that i had done the nvq3 and am2. i never got the chance to serve an apprenticeship.
when i recently applied for my jib card i was graded as stage2 trainee (that went in the bin).
it depends where/what work you are looking at doing.
im kind of fortunate that my company have me doing everything.
oh ive got my 16th edition - not been in one place long enough to finish the 17th edition course.
pat testing - boring, boring, boring.
2391 - spent 4 years as a tester on a very hectic production line, testing some 20 installations a day.
part p, waste of money.
ecs - electrotechnical competence scheme - really really easy. - needed to get onto bigger sites as an electrician
i didnt know how to wire a plug top when i was 23 - thats when i started college and my electrical career - and loved most of it since

 

[dubspark]

I thought part p might pop up somewhere

Steve

 

[oldtimer]

Well I am 51 and i am timed served in what used to be th Electrical B course (14th edition yes 14th)

A was electrician
B was approved electrician
C was technician

I have had to sit the 15th,16th and 17th edition upgrade over the years and recently I&T so in other words you never stop learning remember just when you think thats it chuck the books away they go and change things.

Not sure how things work today as for me I served my time in the industrial and commercial side of sparking got put on my own jobs near the end of my 3rd year served 2 years improving and got my approved automatically because I had the certificates mind you your boss could have delayed this if he felt you were not up to standard and a guy who started a year before me had this done to him.

 

[dubspark]

part p, waste of money.

Nuff said

Steve

 

[wattsup]

Hey old timer I'm slightly older than you, and really industry based, I turned down the c certificate and could have got it free and paid time off work to do it....what a friggin idiot i was!
I was too busy chasing money all over the country at the time...ahh the good old days.
Part P? on the waterfront me thinks -;

 

[confused-fuse]

1983 i started and i'm still learning ... electrical course & electronic servicing upto lvl3,ham radio, pat tester,then i did computers A+ & msce,now im back doing electrical & cctv installs with networks and in my spare time doing 17th edition & 2391 i did most of my exams when i was 18 to 22 in electronics & electrical install 10yrs ago i was classed as a techi now im nothing till i get my 17th/2391 ... everyday is a school day

now who remembers pl509 arching or wiring a jacob ladder to the back of trippler & pl509

 

[Spa Key]

As the title says. I'm 27 and would give anything for an opportunity to start and get the relevant NVQ and C&G certs that will allow me to work without hindrance - in addition to the invaluable experience of course.
But for others that are looking to enter the industry (especially the older guys) would you be happy just to acquire the C&G certs as far as qualifications go? What about NVQs or the AM2 trade test? Obviously, if you needed to find work with other companies they may stipulate certain qualifications. Anyone have any experiences of this nature, especially over the last couple of years?

I'm 21 so not *quite* one of the 'older' guys, but I'm in the last few weeks of my 2330 level 3 (putting myself through college while not working in the industry). I'd like to go on and get the NVQ, AM2, 2382 and 2391 (including the design bit of it). The HND/degree is also something I'm interested in doing.

I'm jobhunting at the moment and almost every job wants someone with the NVQ. It might be known as Not Very Qualified but the range of work you have to have done to achieve it means you've got a decent amount of experience, and if that's what employers want then that's what employers will get.

At the minute it's so hard to get into the industry so in my opinion the more bits of paper you have the better. Personally I think the NVQ is the qualification to have.

 

[mogga]

go get a "drain snake " from screwfix n goabout charging people £646.25 for clearing a drain ffs

 

[Spa Key]

go get a "drain snake " from screwfix n goabout charging people £646.25 for clearing a drain ffs

My Uncle's been cleaning drains self-employed for decades. He does a lot of work for councils & large factories.

Certainly a LOT of money in it if you know what you're doing (2 holidays a year, at least one in the US. New car every 3 years, new cars for the kids every 3 years, you get the idea).

Crap job though.

 

[mogga]

was that him on Watchdog?? lol

 

[confused-fuse]

go get a "drain snake " from screwfix n goabout charging people £646.25 for clearing a drain ffs

what a s*** job no thanks ....
the reason i have come back to this trade i got made redundent from computers then for 2 yrs i had cancer all clear now thank god ... i could go do a teaching couse then teach electronics or computers if i wanted to put prefer this trade at the moment ....