Its official...I am not an Electrician.

[Deleted member 109422]

Hello, I joined this helpful forum a few days ago, I did introduce myself on the "New Members" thread and thanks to those who welcomed me. Nice one!

I will repeat some of the info I gave from my initial post so this makes sense.

I am 50 years old this year. From school (1985) I went and worked for various companies, wiring houses mostly but I did spend a couple of years on a boat yard, assisting with electrical work on boats/ships as well as wiring out workshops at the site. I didn't complete a formal apprenticeship. I continued to work as an "electrician" until 1998. I then decided I wanted a change in career and went to university, I graduated in 2002. I mostly worked in my new field of interest up until a month ago. However, I decided in 2010 that I would get back into electrical work, I studied hard and gained some qualifications. I landed an electrical maintenance job in a local prison employed directly by the government. Although this daunted me I was told that I would be supported by two other electricians. On my first day it became apparent that one of the other electricians had been on permanent sick for the last 8 months, two weeks later the other electrician left. So, I am the only "electrician" left on site attempting to electrically run a small village of nutters. This didn't suit me. I left and went back to the job I have a degree in.....until now.

So, aged almost 50 I am seeking work.
Perhaps this is the point where I should share my qualifications with you..

1987..C+G in electrical installation competences part 1 (2360-1) Plus AM1
1994..C+G in electrical installation competences part 2
I did the 16th edition, don't remember which year
1998-2002..University (non electrically related)
2010..C+G level 3, Testing and Inspection (2391)
2010..C+G level 3, installing and testing domestic PV systems (2372)
2010..C+G level 3, 17th edition (2382. BS 7671)
2010..C+G level 3, PAT (2377)

I have been in contact with the JIB in regard to getting a ECS card and heard from them today. I am eligible for a "labourers" card (valid for 3 years) or an "experienced workers" card (valid for 18 months). The labourers card would not show any qualifications on the back of it, the experienced workers card does show my qualifications on the back of it, but this card can not be renewed once it has expired. The application cost £48. I choose the experienced workers card because I am rather proud of my qualifications. For those who remember the 2360-1 and 2360-2 they were not easy.

So, to get an "Electricians" card from the JIB I need to complete the AM2 and NVQ3. I am not knocking this, fair enough if that is what is required today. However, I was disappointed that after all these years thinking that I was an electrician.....I am not! Ha! Ho Hum.

The main thing is I now have an ECS card which will hopefully get me on site somewhere in the near future as a mate. I was never going to apply for a job as an electrician as I know I am rusty but it just made me think. My qualifications are worth ----.

But, and this is a genuine question, how many non-electricians do you know who have passed the 2391?

Cheers for reading this. All constructive comments gratefully received.

I am hoping to work on large projects where possible, away work is fine, I drive and have own tools.

Thanks for a great forum, it is nice to be part of it.

Sym

Edit...I forgot to mention, I also have the "Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme" card (SSSTS) (2017), a three day First Aid certificate (2017) and have completed an Asbestos Awareness course (2018).

 

[Deleted member 109422]

I appreciate all the replies. Thanks.

However, no one has actually answered a question I made in my initial post......

"how many non-electricians do you know who have passed the 2391?"

 

[Deleted member 109422]

double post, sorry.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I would appeal the grading with the JIB as you got both your part 1 and 2 before 1999 which is when the NVQ 3 was introduced. It would of been impossible to do the NVQ at the time as it didn't exist.

 

[Deleted member 109422]

Thanks Lee. I think the main problems are I didn't complete an apprenticeship and I didn't do the AM2.
Or have I been misinformed?

Cheers for the reply.

 

[derek]

Hi Sym, in answer to your question, there are lots of non-electricians with the 2391 qualification. Mostly those who did a short 'become an electrician in 6 weeks' course which included PATesting, 17th edition, and a 'Part P' qualification such as the C&G2393. They were coached to pass the 2391 without understanding what they were doing and then would have to come on forums such as these asking for help to find the most basic faults while working in a customer's house.
There are plenty of experienced sparks working on sites without a JIB Gold Card although it is becoming a bit more difficult to get work as an electrician without one. I still see adverts asking for nothing more than the 17th edition and an ECS card.

 

[derek]

Also it might be worth writing your CV in a skills based rather than chronological format as this hides gaps in your work history and is also useful when you have had so many different short contracts that the chronological CV becomes too long.

 

[Deleted member 109422]

Thanks derek. I will be receiving my "experienced workers" ECS card next week so I better get cracking with my electrical CV and start looking for a job! Cheers for your CV idea.
All the best
Sym

 

[uksrevivor]

Hi Sym
Its a hard job getting through to the JIB call centre operatives they run a computer says no policy in a majority of cases and its frustrating. Most sites will now require a gold card qualified electrician to work on as a spark and to get a sparks hourly rate but you can gets loads of work as an improver as a temporary measure until you complete your AM2 and NVQ3 its also worth noting to complete your NVQ portfolio you will be required to be working onsite carrying out electrical work so an improvers job position will allow you to do so while getting payed.

 

[Sparkingmad]

If I remember correctly like the rest of you I did mine a long time ago. once you completed C&G 236 pt 1 & 2 and got your AM1 & 2 you were graded as a sparks after 2 years further on the tools your employer could apply to JIB to get you Approved Electrician grade. I did C&G 236 C course as well and am graded as Electrical Technician with JIB. Not even sure they recognise this anymore