I get it, FAST TRACK courses are more than frowned upon.......BUT;

[John Boy]

Good avo people,
As the title states; I know I'm going to be the victim of negativity and stone throwing here but I would be extremely grateful if you guys, the professionals and experts, could shed a touch of light on this subject for me.

I have read sheds loads of posts, forums, stories, etc, regarding this subject and agree that fast tracking is an insult to those who have worked their knackers off through years of apprenticeship schemes and college.
Fast tracking does not allow for the info/learning to be absorbed over 2-3 years college study and probably isn't nearly as practical regarding the.....practical.
However, in theory......both fast tracking and college effectively give the student the qualifications needed to get their foot on this career ladder irrespective of course length. Both sets of students will have next to no onsite/practical experience and both have will have only applied the practices in a workshop environment.
Either way, the newly 'qualified' person (fast track or 2 years at college) will still need to pursue invaluable experience alongside a time served sparky.
So, are the pros just p****d off that fast tracking deducts the need for years of study that eventually (and as far as the qualifications governing body are concerned) gets them to the same point? Or is it because, effectively, these fast track courses could flood the market with potential electricians and so devaluing the trade?.......serious questions.

The reasons for the above; I would love to turn the clock back to when I was 16-24 and jump on an electrical installations apprenticeship but that ship sailed a long time ago. Night college is potentially a root but why do it in 2 years when I can do it in 10 months?.......will I find it easier to get a job as a newly qualified spark, in my late 30's, with no experience, for doing the course over years rather than months???

Electricians jobs on Indeed.co.uk state experience alongside the relevant qualifications (nothing mentioned about fast tracking or college root). So I was wondering what your thoughts are on the subject.

Sorry for digging the subject up for the millionth time across the internet but sometimes an answer other than,
"I wouldn't waste my money on fast tracking, you learn nowt and no one in the universe is gonna employ you!"
Or is it a way to show a potential employer that, while apprenticeships are out of reach, spending a few grand on the course and studying while holding down a full time job shows initiative and an eagerness to better yourself?!

 

[telectrix]

taken from that link, word for word... WTF?
"But if you only intend to ever work as a regular plumber around people’s homes then he could be the best choice for you to get started in a new career".

 

[snowhead]

And here's me thinking Part P is a Building reg, didn't realise it was a Domestic Installer competence test;
(ignore the their competent which should be their competence or that they're competent , it's not the only error as Tel spotted)

"Under current government regulations anyone who does this kind of work must prove their competent to do so, this is called the part P scheme."

 

[telectrix]

And here's me thinking Part P is a Building reg, didn't realise it was a Domestic Installer competence test;
(ignore the their competent which should be their competence or that they're competent , it's not the only error as Tel spotted)

"Under current government regulations anyone who does this kind of work must prove their competent to do so, this is called the part P scheme."

well spotted that man.give yourself a 18th edition cigar .

 

[snowhead]

well spotted that man.give yourself a 18th edition cigar .

And have one yourself

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Personally, it’s not the people taking the courses that bother me, it’s the people offering the corses.
Statements like “Everything you need to turn professional”.
Followed by this list of qualifications:
Part P domestic installer,
Building Regulations for electrical installations in dwellings,
Pat testing,
18th edition wiring regulations,
Fundamental testing and inspecting,
Initial verification,
Periodic inspection and testing.

To my mind, the first 3 qualifications are a complete waste of money.
The Part P domestic installer qualification is intended for plumbers and kitchen fitters who may want to wire up a boiler or add a couple of sockets in a kitchen.

Who needs a qualification to read the Approved Document Part P?

What has testing Portable Appliance got to do with electrical installation?

The 18th edition is an update course intended for electricians who were trained to earlier editions.
Electricians trained to the 18th should not need updating.

Fundamental inspection and testing should be part of your core electrical training, as should be initial verification.

Periodic inspection and testing is intended for experienced electricians trained to conduct periodic inspections.

Apart from the fact that there is no core electrical qualifications being offered, there’s also no mention of AM2 or NVQ3.
From what I understand, the NVQ3 is required by the schemes as well as the JIB (which also requires the AM2 to be graded).
The trainees only find out that they need the NVQ3 after they’ve completed the courses and then try to register with a scheme or the JIB.

 

[John Boy]

I wasn't expecting such a positive response so thanks for all the advice, really appreciate it.
Getting off my a**e and pushing on was never a problem but making the right decision for me was......the path is clearer now so thanks again

 

[dinger809]

I have worked with some who have done short courses and many from apprenticeships.
Firstly, if you’re honest on site, say you are learning, listen, watch, learn and knuckle down to it, you’ll find you’ll be ok. Some people I’ve had from these courses have been really good. Some have been an absolute liability, because they have no ability to listen and learn and they think they know it all...... the same with some apprentices. Some have been lazy, thick, incompetent and totally useless.
It also, as with anything, depends greatly on your instructors, their ability to teach and get things across in a way that you understand.
So, the short answer is, these courses are good for some people and are a good way to get a basic understanding and basic working knowledge. Just realise you don’t truly begin to learn until you get out on site.

Good luck