Interested in becoming an Electrician....

[JxMxT]

I am stuck in a crap office job and want to become an electrician. I need advice on how to go about it such as what courses to take and whether or not there are specific qualifications I need to have to be able to work on peoples homes/industrial estates/building sites.

I'm only 22, ( so I feel time is on my side ) and I'm currently in an office job which is rather dead-end to put it bluntly. There isn't much it can lead into.

I know there is a college near me ( College of North West London ) that have a number of courses to become an electrician, so thats okay. It isn't too far from where I live so getting there won't be a problem.

and Money for the course ( £1,800 ) I believe, won't be a problem either.

I'm just overly eager to know what to do and how to do it.

ANY replies are much appreciated.

Electrical Installations - Level 1 - College of North West London (CNWL) - Course Search This is the course I'm currently looking at.

 

[JxMxT]

Awesome feedback, thank you very much Dean.

Okay, so I'll start on level 2 course, pray I complete it in one year. Then do the level 3.

Once finished ( touch wood )

I'll have to obtain some on site experiance.

Are the Regulations/Inspections and Testing needed.... or just advised. Like a bonus.

 

[Dean182]

You can work on your NVQ/portfolio whilst doing your level 3 to cut down time, as long as your employed. Regs course is needed. However testing isn't, but it's a massive bonus against someone who hasn't got it when applying for a job. I would seek advise from
Someone at your college because the frame work is due to change. The NVQ is becoming part of the level 2 and 3, so it will all be one large course. The only concern is where that leaves people with level 2 and 3 tying to get there NVQ.

 

[JxMxT]

Whats the best way to find a company that allow you to join up with them to gain the experiance.

As for the testing, if it's a big bonus, I think I'd do it. Obviously in this world you need to stand out. Something ( or anything ) that seperates you from others, I should aim to do. So I'd contemplate doing that sooner the time.... but I think I would.

 

[Phil]

try getting on with companies but don`t get disheartened if you don`t get anywhere at first it just takes a lucky break to get taken on. some of the colleges will have a list of employers that will take on learners have a chat and see if they can help.

 

[JxMxT]

Potentially, I could complete level 2 and 3....... and not gain experiance for year, possibly longer?

 

[david1967]

Ok I am not an electrician but I am also interested in changing careers. I have been doing some research and what I have been told is that City and Guilds 2330 has been superseded as of Jan 2011 by NVQ level 11 and 111 2356

 

[brucelee]

Hi mate C&G are replacing C&G 2330 and nvq 2356 with one qualification called C&G 2357 and you have to be employed in the industry

 

[ryouko]

Yeah, 2330 is no more. I am on Level 2 myself and we don't know yet what will happen next year! Its only known that course now will be 2356 Level 3 NVQ. The trade itself is really interesting and makes you use your brain whole lot more than just typing letters or key documents into PC (mind office jobs), but it is pretty rought at the moment regarding jobs. Even fully qualified sparks struggle... I m thinking of going to uni myself and getting some IT engineer diploma (good salaries) if i can't find a job after finishing my Level 3 and NVQ next year! Also remember you will probably be contracting most of the time as a spark which means no permanent income etc. And pay rates arent that good what people think either, most of my mates say "oh ur gonna be on 50k when qualified" and it just makes me laugh. Why people tend to think tradesmen have huge paychecks? Unless you are self-employed with good customer base i can't really see getting more than £20-25k a year.

 

[JxMxT]

Hi everyone again, thanks for everyones replies... Just very quickly...

I was speaking to a work colleague today, and he advised me not to go to a college to speak to member of the course advisor-team... as they're obviously going to try to feed me what I want to hear and jsut seduce me int doing a course.

Then there would be a chance I would try to apply for an electrician company, and they could inform me that the qualifications I gained in the 3 years was a waste of time and pointless.....

Is this bullcrap? I feel there is a small bit of truth in it, I was thinking about actually trying to speak to a senior member of staff at a near by electrician company firstly, and get their advice.....?

( also, are their different type of electricians? )

 

[theone8181]

Hi guys, after reading this post I found it to be the most useful forum after searching for several hours for electrician so ive registered. From what ive read on college website and other places to be classed as qualified then you must have a city and guilds 2357 level 3. Ive recently been made redundant as an aircraft fitter and im looking to retrain as a sparky however i feel like the city and guilds is to basic as i have an onc and hnc in mechanical engineering (I dont mean that to sound arrogant its just that a hnc is level 4 compared to the city and guilds). I can understand if I have to go back as the subjects are quite different. Does anybody know if theres any crossover as I have already covered some nvq electrical units when i was an apprentice. Just for reference i'm 25 and government funding stops at 24 for apprentices so i son't hold much hope there. Do i have to be employed/working with an electrician to pass the 2357 course?

Cheers Guys

 

[brucelee]

HI mate
to do the 2357 you need to be employed in the industry

At the minute you can enrol for C&G2330 lv2 and 3 last registration date 31.7.12

you will also need to do the C&G 2382-10 for the 17th edition requirments in electrical installations

as for funding i think you will find its already ended on the 31.3.11 which is when the 2330 and 2356 should have ended but now extended and now to do 2330 its about £1600 a year upto the 31st march you could have got funding if on certain benefits
But now only people they are considering for funding are people on Jobseekers allowance and employment support allowance

also to be registered with JIB to get a electricians Gold card you would need C&G 2356 NVQ lv3 but as you have your lv4s you may be able to get technician status
have a look on there website mate

as for a apprenticeship not sure mate think only 16-18tyr olds will be funded for apprenticeship thanks to the government

Not sure if your qualifications can be crossed over dont know really someone else may do or the college,C&G

sorry i cant be more help mate

 

[Electricalserv]

Commenting on the first post - £1,800 for a level 1 course is absolutely ridiculous!

 

[Electricalserv]

Hi guys, after reading this post I found it to be the most useful forum after searching for several hours for electrician so ive registered. From what ive read on college website and other places to be classed as qualified then you must have a city and guilds 2357 level 3. Ive recently been made redundant as an aircraft fitter and im looking to retrain as a sparky however i feel like the city and guilds is to basic as i have an onc and hnc in mechanical engineering (I dont mean that to sound arrogant its just that a hnc is level 4 compared to the city and guilds). I can understand if I have to go back as the subjects are quite different. Does anybody know if theres any crossover as I have already covered some nvq electrical units when i was an apprentice. Just for reference i'm 25 and government funding stops at 24 for apprentices so i son't hold much hope there. Do i have to be employed/working with an electrician to pass the 2357 course?

Cheers Guys

I always say it...you don't need the NVQ3 to make it in this game. Others will make you believe its a must. The JIB card never did me any favours. If you can get on the course and funded...why not....if its coming out your own pocket forget it...why bother

 

[theone8181]

I always say it...you don't need the NVQ3 to make it in this game. Others will make you believe its a must. The JIB card never did me any favours. If you can get on the course and funded...why not....if its coming out your own pocket forget it...why bother

I appritiate that you might think that, but from what i've read on the governments website they say as of jan this year you need it. Im not trying to argue here, im just repeating what ive read i think they did this to try and stop unqualified people from being electrians. As for the other course i might see if i can enrol on the 2330 level 3. Oh btw i think a level 1 course is if you didn't get a C or above at gcse.

 

[Electricalserv]

You don't need the NVQ3 at all. Its all scaremongering out there saying you need it. You don't.

It is not a requiremnt by any of the schemes and they are far more important than the JIB.

The ECA who are the reason behind the JIB's notoriety in this trade don't even ask you to have it to join them.

As my inspector said.....Learning how to bend conduit is not sparking. A labourer can do containment not a spark!

If you want to make real money get of the tools and in to testing. That is where you will find real sparks!