Guidance from the pros

[tommy.dale]

Hello chaps,
bit of background I've got 2330 2 and 3, nvq3, 2391, pat, 17th ed, solar pv, couple of fire alarm courses and about to take my sssts next month, and I currently work for a worldwide facilities management company.

basically I don't want to be on the tools in 5 years time when I hit 30, I've been looking through the threads on the hnc in elec eng, via teesside, but the college of north west London in willeseden are doing it for 2500 3 evenings a week on a tues, weds, and a thurs 6-9,
firstly is this going to be too much to handle? I mean like too much in a short space of time?
I think the pros out way to cons in my opinion (to do it) but would like to seek yours to help me out? I would like to be in a class room to ask for help from a tutor rather than struggle at home if it was distance learning.


or would you recommend doing the old 2391:20 first? ( can't remember the c&g code)

Sorry for the long post but I would appreciate everyone's opinion.
thanks guy
tom

 

[Guest55]

the 2396 design is only a short course - 4 weeks , hnc 2-3 yrs.
2396 wont be enough to get you off the tools long term in my op , thats not what it was designed for.
but maths is a killer on the hnc so if youre weak at that i wouldnt recommend distance learning.

 

[Guest55]

and 3 nites a week is alot if your working in day , you'll soon tire of it i reckon

 

[tommy.dale]

Thanks for the reply biff I meant doing the design before attempting the hnc, my maths is terrible so I know I would need to do some kind of bridging course, but the thought of it being completed in a year is really appealing and alot cheaper than elsewhere, you need to stand out from the crowd nowadays so hnc is really the next step in my opinion, I just don't want my brain to frazzle out after 6 months lol!

 

[SirKit Breaker]

I'm with biff on the subject of distance learning, HNC or otherwise. If your maths is terrible, then trying to do HNC in a year is a massive ask, and it will frazzle you brain out. I would want to know what the success rate is for a one year HNC before i would commit, but in any case it is better over 2 years, at least you will have time to take things in at an easier pace.
£2500 isnt bad for HNC in a year, its about £4600 over 2 years. I would personally rather pay £4600 and pass it, than £2500 and fail, then redo, which equals £5000. Cheapest is not always the best.

Cheers............Howard

 

[lofts]

how come you dont want to be on the toolsin 5 years time mate

 

[lofts]

what sort of opportunitys could a HNC lead to. Does anyone on here have a HNC if so what do you do it would be good to hear.

cheers

 

[Gage]

HNC is a 2 year course, then HND on top is another year, so 3 years if you want HNC&HND. Like everyone else I agree, DO NOT do distance learning if you aren't good at maths, not just if you're terrible, you're going to have to be fairly decent. And about the times, I'd say that's a bit too rushed, find a college doing 1 day a week. And you will get stressed not being able to go home and relax after work. I did 9-8 1 day a week at College and hated it but it'd much rather that than go to work and have to go to college straight after for another X hours.

 

[Guest55]

3 nites a week for a year while working fulltime ?
lol , you'll begin to hate it after 6 months even if youre isaac newton at the maths ;-)

 

[Gage]

what sort of opportunitys could a HNC lead to. Does anyone on here have a HNC if so what do you do it would be good to hear.

cheers

The opportunities are endless. Usually companies don't ask for just a degree anymore unless you're at the very top of the ladder, they usually ask for HND/HNC or Degree. I'd tell you what I do but I can't :daisy:

 

[tommy.dale]

I'm with biff on the subject of distance learning, HNC or otherwise. If your maths is terrible, then trying to do HNC in a year is a massive ask, and it will frazzle you brain out. I would want to know what the success rate is for a one year HNC before i would commit, but in any case it is better over 2 years, at least you will have time to take things in at an easier pace.
£2500 isnt bad for HNC in a year, its about £4600 over 2 years. I would personally rather pay £4600 and pass it, than £2500 and fail, then redo, which equals £5000. Cheapest is not always the best.

Cheers............Howard

very wise words, problem is I can't take a day off a week so it's either distance learning and struggle with maths or frazzle my brain with the workload of a year lol, thanks for the opinions tho guys
I'll be finding out the pass rate tomorrow but trying to speak to a adviser at that college is trying to draw blood from a stone!

 

[tommy.dale]

how come you dont want to be on the toolsin 5 years time mate

salaries tend to be more money mate, and at 30 that should give me a better understanding of work rather than rush and try to become more senior now, I'm still learning (you always do) so at 30 that should be 16 years of on site experience then hopefully ill be at a stage where I can progress then, besides who wants to be crawling around a loft space when your 50, got a beer belly, bad diet and suffocating on your own farts! Lol

 

[lofts]

lol tommy but your right really.


So what sort of jobs will a HNC open the door for, any examples. Also what sort of money would you be comanding.

Probably silly questions but its not an apprentice based learning system is it. I mean say I did the HNC and passed I would literally have no experience presumably in the job that I would be going for as I would be working as a domestic electrician whilst I studyed.

I like learning and rekon I should concider this

 

[chrish_1977]

I would agree with the last post, get more experience first then go from there. I'm 35 and still love my job, something different every day, however I'm also looking for the next course to do but I am still wise to the fact I don't know everything and probably never will. But the more experience I get the better I can be at what I do

 

[Guest55]

if youre only 30 theres no rush to try and do a hnc in 1 year is there ? ;-)