Hi newbie and looking for advice

[Ando2203]

Hey, I'm new to this site and I have been looking at becoming an electrician for the past year and half but unfortunately I was trying to find an apprenticeship route but as I am nearly 30 I feel as tho no one wants to employee me, I have made a choice and have decided I would go to college and do it that way, I have a few colleges close to me but when I am looking at the courses one is city & guilds and o e is EAL, is there any difference between the awarding bodies and any other advice people have for me to set off with would be appreciated.

 

[telectrix]

c&g is the more widely recognised.

 

[Ando2203]

c&g is the more widely recognised.

So would you choose the course with c&g award then?

 

[rolyberkin]

On paper C&G and EAL are equal, on paper they may be, there are however still many people out there who will view EAL as the inferior qualification, for this reason I would always go C&G.

 

[Baddegg]

EAL are much easier to pass from what I’m told......read into that what you will, but as above c&g are seen/recognised as a real qualification
I’ve also started noticing van stickers stating c&g qualified....

 

[Starjack]

City & guilds is the preferred one but both do the same thing.

 

[ruston]

So would you choose the course with c&g award then?

City and Guilds was established in 1878 and is a respected institution .
Most people have heard of them . For reputation they were second to none.

 

[Ando2203]

Thank you for the replies I already had my suspicions that c&g was held in higher regard as I haven't heard of EAL before, I will definitely be seeking a course by c&g.

 

[Jay 1987]

Thank you for the replies I already had my suspicions that c&g was held in higher regard as I haven't heard of EAL before, I will definitely be seeking a course by c&g.

I am currently doing level 2 EAL! If I were you I would look at the qualitity of the tutors, the feedback from the students etc over which awarding body!

You can have a city and guilds course with a crap tutor!! Does you no favours in the long run!

If your end goal is to get one of the cards ecs and jib both accept Eal or city and guilds qualifications !!

Best try and go for college based on what they provide the quality of tutors, How big the class size is..... again no point having city and guilds and there’s 15 -20 people to 1 tutor!!

Can be very frustrating!!

What part of the country are you from ?

 

[Ando2203]

I am currently doing level 2 EAL! If I were you I would look at the qualitity of the tutors, the feedback from the students etc over which awarding body!

You can have a city and guilds course with a crap tutor!! Does you no favours in the long run!

If your end goal is to get one of the cards ecs and jib both accept Eal or city and guilds qualifications !!

Best try and go for college based on what they provide the quality of tutors, How big the class size is..... again no point having city and guilds and there’s 15 -20 people to 1 tutor!!

Can be very frustrating!!

What part of the country are you from ?

You do speke sense, im from North west

 

[Jay 1987]

Ok, don’t be too negative about your age and finding an apprenticeship. When you become a little more familiar with the threads on the forums your see the more experienced/established sparks are preferring more mature apprentices than the younger ones!!! Maturity reasons, saying that others say the more older you are the more baggage your more likely to bring!

What can we learn from this......

Your never going to be everyone’s cup of tea

However it only takes one yes to get you through!!

It will happen for you!!

Ps im 31 started my electrical journey last September!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

To be honest with you, even the City and Guild qualifications are held in some contempt by many.
Most of the older sparks don’t even know what the numbers of the courses relate to.
If it’s not the 2360, then it’s just a load of numbers.

 

[Anthony S]

I would just go down the route of what papers are needed for a Gold Card. Don't matter people's opinions are, all what matters is once you get a Gold Card it opens doors for work. Employers, Agencies they all ask for Gold Card not what papers got you the card.

 

[Ando2203]

Again I would like to thank everyone for their helpful advice and information I will defiantly take all that has been said and look into the courses and establishments further.

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

How much are the courses out of interest, for us there was government funding for the EAL courses (free) and none for the C&G. Was quoted an extortionate amount for the C&G. End of the day, both hold the same weight in the eyes of the JIB. As others have said, its the card that matters not what papers got you the card.