Help please - finished level 2 2330 , should i do level 3?

[1985]

Hi, i am just finishing up my Level 2 2330 and most of the boys in my class are not doing the level 3. They reckon you dont really need it? I was going to do it but am now thinking otherwise.

I am not working in the industry as of yet because i am finding it hard to get a job without experience and my uncle who worked for T.CLARKE who was gonna get me on there has been made redundant.

My teacher has suggested i get my 17th edition and try and get a job in the industry before starting my level 3. Personally i would rather just get it out the way.

Im at a bit of a crossroads and not completely sure what to do now? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[RexT]

Hi 1985,

The best advice I can give you is to be wary of what other people think you should be doing. You have to decide what you want to do and how you are going to get there. You know your own situation more than anyone here can picture but to try and help you...

If you have chance to get further qualifications and have the time / money then my advice is get them! Experience does count and obviously this is very important in the electrical industry, however the qualifications do matter. As far as I am aware the level 2 of the 2330 means you are qualified as a 'Domestic Installer'. So if that is what you wish to stick at then I guess that is fine, however the more qualified you are the more doors will open up for you. (At least this is what I have been told numerous times). I think its wise to get the 17th edition. Be careful because when you do work in the electrical game, it is when it goes wrong that qualifications are brought up and the electricity at work regs assume guilt so require proof of innocence / competance. (This equals qualifications and compliance with BS7671 regs).

I think the guys on this forum are very experienced and hopefully they will help / add to this.

I hope this is of help,

Best wishes,

Rex

 

[1985]

cheers mate, to be a domestic installer you have to be part p as far as im aware. I mean i want to do level 3 because its a good thing to have but if i can get a job with level 2 2330 and 17th then i think i would be interested in that because i just badly wanna get into the industry now and start earning a decent wage and stop having to have every thursday off lol

 

[ezzzekiel]

PartP usually requires a domestic installer qual as a minimum to gain entry into the special club
2330 level 2 would get you in the door with 17th being a must further down the line.

A lot of smaller firms would accept you with 2330 level 2 and 17th providing you can do the job (experienced?)
lot of firms tend to advertise vacancies for sparks with 17th & 2391 qualified, but again if no experience then no job.

my advice, continue with study while trying to gain experience.....

 

[Gus]

Im in the same boat mate, finishing level 2 this year. Im going onto 2330 level 3 next year cos its the last year before it changes to 2357 which is basically 2330 and an nvq together and you need to be employed to do it and getting employed at the moment is hard work (has you know)! my advice do level 3 and get your 17th edition done in-between and by time you've got these hopefully work will have pick up.

Good things come to those who wait

 

[Adam W]

To add to what Gus said, when I was at college I was told priority for entry on the 2330 level 3 went to those who had just completed the level 2. I was also lead to believe the level 2 is a partial qualification and not worth much without the level 3 which makes sense - you need the level 3 to do the 2356 (or from what I've heard the required modules of the 2357 when it comes in), and if you were applying for a job and the other candidate(s) had the same qualifications as you but the 2330 level 3 as well they would have the advantage.
I did the 17th edition update course which is cheaper and doesn't take as long as the full course, but the college wanted to see my level 3 certificate.

I would recommend doing it, but obviously it's up to you.

 

[m25maintenance]

do level 3 its level 2 but more indept. level 2 means u know dam all when u go out into the big bad world, also d part p and 17th

 

[MUFC1999]

I'd recommend doing it. If you take and pass it then you are more qualified then the lads who don't think it is worth it which will put you in a better position when going for jobs. You'll probably find the info easier to take in as well having recently passed your level 2.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[soulman]

best to do the level 3 as it will be your last chance as being replaced by 2357
cheers

 

[ezzzekiel]

also d part p and 17th

forget partp if youre looking for employment it wont be needed.

 

[stretchyboy]

Dont forget ............ 3 is the magic number ............. ;-)

 

[johnboy6083]

definately do the level 3 mate. for one, you need it to get JIB registered, which most of the big sites want, and all the agencies ask me for mine. Also, as far as im aware, the level 2 is not a stand alone qualification. you have to do it to get on the level 3. without level 3, i think youll find the level 2 is useless. whilst doin your level 3, also do the NVQ 3 and 17th.
I agree with an earlier post, where you were told not to listen to your mates. At the end of the day, they wont pay your bills if your out of work, cos your not qualified enough to get a job.

Good luck matey.

 

[1985]

thanks alot everyone for the comments, i will defo do my level 3 then , seems the way forward. ill do my 17th in between. cheers boys!

 

[cobbydale]

The comments on the new 2357 are good advice. Get what you can now cos the new 2357 will mean new units and an AM2 even for practising operatives. I think most time served sparks should sign up to the old 2356 before december if they dont have an NVQ otherwise it will cost a bucket full of cash.

 

[james b]

Im finishing my 3rd year now on the 2330, and if you finish year 3 you can go on a 1 day update for 17th edition. After that you can complete the part p exam which gives you your test certificates so you could work domesticly then you could worrie about completing your nvqs but have ability to work for the sack of 1 years work.