General moan about the industry

[gazdkw82]

I apologise in advance and apologise again if this is considered in the wrong place. I

feeling really down at the moment with where I am in my career. Probably more frustration than anything else but still, I haven't felt like this about the industry before.

I self funded my level 2 whilst holding down a full time job as a driver. Scroll 3 years and I'm here now, a full time job as an improver, finished level 3, finished the portfolio, jumped through every hoop thrown at me (18th, 2391, Pasma, iPaf) and I'm just being told to wait and wait because no one else at the college is ready to pass the portfolio and take AM2S.

I just about manage to earn enough to support my family and the cost of living. Even when I qualify I'm going to be on less than my mate who assistant manages an aldi store and my other friend who stacks tyres in a warehouse.

.........I guess I'm just frustrated and being made to wait since the beginning of the year and given false promises from the college all the while. All the hours I've put in to get it all done and I'm just being made to wait for everyone else.

Again, sorry for blowing off steam. Not sure where else I can.

 

[Spoon]

Did the collage put a time limit on the course?
If so, do you have it in writing?

 

[gazdkw82]

Did the collage put a time limit on the course?
If so, do you have it in writing?

We was told we we're fast tracked because we had previous (level 2) qualifications. However paperwork says 2020.

Feel like I've been lied too. My partner started a degree the same year I started my level 2. She's finished uni now and I'm still not qualified.

 

[baldelectrician]

It will all be worth it in the end
My son is my apprentice and he is in his third stage (Scotland), he is at college this week for his inspection and testing training week.

He will also get the AM2 , but he gets a mock AM2 under exam conditions prior to his actual AM2 which helps lessen the nerves.

 

[gazdkw82]

It will all be worth it in the end
My son is my apprentice and he is in his third stage (Scotland), he is at college this week for his inspection and testing training week.

He will also get the AM2 , but he gets a mock AM2 under exam conditions prior to his actual AM2 which helps lessen the nerves.

Probably qualify before me. (No disrespect to your son)

I started training when we found out we was expecting my daughter. She is now nearly 4

 

[telectrix]

how old are you. if you don't mind me asking? seems a bit harsh at the moment, but with the determination that you have shown so far, all will become good in time.

 

[gazdkw82]

how old are you. if you don't mind me asking? seems a bit harsh at the moment, but with the determination that you have shown so far, all will become good in time.

36. Probably another reason why I feel frustrated. Especially when we all go in to college once a month for an update on everyone elses progress and nothing's changed and most the students spend the time watching rubbish on YouTube

 

[Bobster]

Have you officially complained to anyone?

I know you don't want to hear it, but the AM2 on it's own isn't an expensive exam (in the grand scheme of things) I know a training centre in Liverpool (probably going to be one closer to you than that)runs them once a month.

Maybe for the final hurdle just bite the bullet an go elsewhere. After all, if you could end up waiting to 2020 you'll still be better off, albeit a little out of pocket now.

If you do complain, I'd certainly throw that out there that if you go elsewhere due to their time wasting you'll be claiming the exam fees back.

I'd probably visit one of those places that give free legal advice. Unfortunately, or fortunately colleges I've dealt with have been through companies putting several people through at once, so I had enough clout to get my way with issues like this.

Most important, keep your head up as hard as it seems try not to let it eat you and work you up. You're almost there.

 

[gazdkw82]

Have you officially complained to anyone?

I know you don't want to hear it, but the AM2 on it's own isn't an expensive exam (in the grand scheme of things) I know a training centre in Liverpool (probably going to be one closer to you than that)runs them once a month.

Maybe for the final hurdle just bite the bullet an go elsewhere. After all, if you could end up waiting to 2020 you'll still be better off, albeit a little out of pocket now.
QUOTE]

Unfortunately it's not that simple. My course is the new 5357. You cannot take the AM2s until the portfolio is signed off from an external assessor. Id have paid for the AM2 assessment ages ago if I had the option

 

[gazdkw82]

Unfortunately it's not that simple. My course is the new 5357. You cannot take the AM2s until the portfolio is signed off from an external assessor. Id have paid for the AM2 assessment ages ago if I had the option

 

[JAWS]

I understand what you're saying gazdkw82 & appreciate your frustration but remember how far you have come, what you have achieved in a relatively short period & try and take this as a positive moving forward.
Many like myself would love to be in your position.

 

[gazdkw82]

I understand what you're saying gazdkw82 & appreciate your frustration but remember how far you have come, what you have achieved in a relatively short period & try and take this as a positive moving forward.
Many like myself would love to be in your position.

I know, you are right. Thank you. I just need to wait and be patient.

I'll try and keep myself busy, maybe good to get my head into some study on maths to get me ready for HNC/HND which I want to do eventually

 

[gazdkw82]

well, nothing has changed. I'm getting sick to the back teeth of it. Apparently there is a error from city and guilds churning out the wrong certs when the college put in all the units iv completed. I don't know to be honest, its just another excuse in a long long string of excuses.

Had to borrow money from family to keep me afloat. Also because i work in a maintenance based role, its been nearly 6 months since I did any real installation work and any college training, I fear that when I do eventually sit the AM2S I will have forgotten most of it.

If this is the general theme of education within the industry then it needs to change

 

[JamesL2022]

My advice would be just stick at what your doing mate, certainly don’t give up. I spent the first three years of my apprenticeship in facilities maintenance and absolutely loved it, but I left to spend the final year at a different company doing full on installation work day in day out, which helped with the AM2 but it isn’t a patch on the varied jobs I used to get to go to. Just keep jumping through the colleges hoops until they get the AM2 booked for you, I know it’s frustrating but once you have your gold card a lot more doors will open up for you.

 

[baldelectrician]

I can't believe how things are for you.
All my son needs to do is complete his online portfolio ( once he gets off his ar$e)
Once he does this he will get a date for his AM2 (if I say he is ready)

In Scotland apprentices are funded by Scottish Enterprise ( same amount per person as as the rest of the UK)
It is all run through SECTT ( a charitable trust) who are in the same building as the SJIB and SELECT, SECTT get their offices at a non-profit rate from SECTT who own the building
The money saved is spent on the trainees

Also my sons training officer is an an electrician so the kids cannot pull the wool

 

[Lister1987]

If you think that college (and C&G) are taking the ----, speak to Ofqual and Ofsted respectively, you'd be surprised what a word in the right ears does to light a fire under an establishment's ---...

 

[gazdkw82]

It's strange this thread has come back into the fold,

I got a date for my AM2s on Friday.

Its Nov 12th-13th.

Just cant wait for it to be done and then I can move on

 

[richy3333]

Also my sons training officer is an an electrician so the kids cannot pull the wool

Its not Paul M is it? Top bloke!

 

[baldelectrician]

It's Criag J (don't want to give his full name on a form)

 

[richy3333]

totally agree about not giving full names

I'd never want anyone to know I'm Richy MacDougall fluffy trousers III

 

[Jay 1987]

gaz how did you do with your am2s?

 

[gazdkw82]

gaz how did you do with your am2s?

Unfortunately I failed the installation side on the pvc conduit.

Iv been back and completed the install with no issues. Just waiting for results

 

[MattSharp]

Just sat down in the van on the way home reading through this gotta hand it to you I would have blown my lid with the amount of patience you have, I once called my college on 6 different phones because they wouldn't give me a straight answer! 8 hours it took! I'm now back at college doing my mature candidate route after the mrs bearing me with the delight of a terribly naughty little daughter!

I'm 21 on apprentice wage got a daughter, a dog that eats everything! renting privately and only just scraping through!

2356-99 I'm around 60% through the pack in 4 weeks, I'm dreading the am2 when I get to it.

Kinda long and irrelevant.

Love to hear the results from you when you get them! Glad everything has panned out for you bud!

All the best!
Matt

 

[gazdkw82]

Just sat down in the van on the way home reading through this gotta hand it to you I would have blown my lid with the amount of patience you have, I once called my college on 6 different phones because they wouldn't give me a straight answer! 8 hours it took! I'm now back at college doing my mature candidate route after the mrs bearing me with the delight of a terribly naughty little daughter!

I'm 21 on apprentice wage got a daughter, a dog that eats everything! renting privately and only just scraping through!

2356-99 I'm around 60% through the pack in 4 weeks, I'm dreading the am2 when I get to it.

Kinda long and irrelevant.

Love to hear the results from you when you get them! Glad everything has panned out for you bud!

All the best!
Matt

I'm in a slighter better position and place than I was. I have completed my NVQ and am now applying for jobs. Hopefully I will have something sorted in the new year.

If you want any help with anything let me know.